France: Narbonne

Narbonne was founded by Romans as Narbo in 118 BC and grew to riches being an important seaport in a trade route of Via Dolomita. The beautiful town is full of attractions – cathedral and churches, spectacular Archbishop’s Palace, medieval stone houses and Roman-laid out cobblestone streets and river embankment with bridges. Narbonne is famous for its massive cathedral – Cathédrale Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur de Narbonne – founded in 1272 and never completely finished, it has only a choir (one of the highest in France) and two square towers. Not far from the cathedral is Palais des Archevêques with its three square towers from 13th century and a Gothic-style town hall, that was added to in the 19th century. Spectacular town and somewhat overlooked by tourists!