Narbonne is a small city located in the south of France. It is known for its coastal tourist area, because its port was very important for the Romans, for its open buffet and for its small but very interesting monumental area. A weekend is ideal to meet and enjoy it, which makes it a perfect destination for short breaks. Do you dare to meet her?
What to do in Narbonne?
Les Grands Buffets
Les Grands Buffets is one of the best buffets in the world. In 1989 its owner, Louis Privat, decided to make traditional French haute cuisine available to almost everyone. This is how this buffet restaurant was born in which, in addition to tasting delicious dishes, you can enjoy the tradition of the French table, which is already Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
We recommend going on an empty stomach because in the starters section you can find the largest cheese buffet in Europe , as well as various sausages, foie gras and other delicacies . Then you can move on to seafood , but leaving room for everything on the grill . And we recommend leaving a little space in your stomach to enjoy an infinity of desserts made by a master pastry chef. To accompany the meal, you can choose one of the 70 wines on the menu. Undoubtedly a meal in which the most difficult thing will be to have room in the stomach to be able to taste everything.
The price is € 37.90 for adults and € 18.90 for children between 6 and 10 years old. Up to 5 years old they have free entry if they are accompanied by an adult and they can also eat as much as they want. The drink is not included in the price. The restaurant is open 365 days a year, every noon and every night. The hours are from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 9:25 p.m. We recommend booking in advance.
What to see in Narbonne?
The Cathedral of San Justo and San Pastor
The Cathedral of San Justo and San Pastor is located in the heart of Narbonne. Its construction began in 1272 on a church from the 4th century and, although it was never completed, the works were completed in 1355. It is in the Gothic style and is about 40 meters high, which makes it one of the tallest in France .
It is well worth visiting it calmly and observing its stained glass windows, its gargoyles and its axial Notre Dame de Bethléem chapel, which houses a 14th-century altarpiece made up of polychrome stone pieces. A true wonder.
Roman Horreum
The Roman Horreum museum is a good way to learn about the past of this beautiful city. The most impressive thing about this place are its underground galleries from the 1st century BC that served as a public warehouse . The building techniques of the Romans can still be seen on its walls.
Gilles Aycelin Keep
The Torreón Gilles Aycelin was built between the end of the 13th century and the beginning of the 14th. Its plan is square and rises over four levels to reach 41 meters. You can climb to the top and get magnificent views of the city after going over 162 steps.
The tower is attached to the Archbishop’s Palace, which currently houses the town hall, the Archeology Museum and the Art Museum. Next to this palace there is a piece of the Via Domitia . This was discovered in 1997, but it was built in 118 BC and apparently linked Italy with Spain.
Merchants Bridge
The Merchants Bridge was built during Roman times and served as access to the ancient city from the south through the Via Domitia. Right now only one of the six or seven arches that is believed to have remained.
Les Halles Market
Although Les Grands Buffets will not have left room in the stomach for more food, this market, which is the nerve center of Narbonne, is well worth a visit. Les Halles has approximately 70 stores. Butchers, bakeries, fishmongers, patisseries, greengrocers, bars … The perfect place to get an appetizing souvenir .
Visiting Les Halles is also a way to get to know the true essence of the city, its people and its local produce.
A beach day
Although Narbonne was one of Rome’s main ports in Gaul, now the coast is no longer so close. You have to travel approximately 15 kilometers to get to the beach, but we believe that this journey is very worth it. Narbonne beach is long, about 5 kilometers long, and looks wild and beautiful.
Narbonne is not one of the most touristic cities in France, but its leisure, culture and gastronomy proposals are very interesting. It is not a destination to spend a long vacation, but it is ideal for a two or three day getaway and to disconnect and escape from busy urban life.
