Being one of the oldest French cities, Narbonne (Narbonne, FR. Narbonne), founded by the Romans in the 2nd century to the new era, retained to this day an impressive number of historical and cultural attractions.
The first thing you can pay attention to, walking around the city, is a channel that divides the central part of the Narbon into two parts. Along it, you can notice even boats moored to the embankment and leaving the impression of residential. This is nothing like the part passing through the city, or more precisely, the branch of the South Canal Du Midi created in the 17th century, which connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. She appeared, however, a little later - in the 19th century, when it became necessary to tie the southern canal with such an important shopping center as Narbon. Wears this channel name Canal de la Robin (CANAL DE LA ROBINE) and has a length of 32 kilometers. According to it, you can make an exciting walk on the boat and admire the picturesque landscapes of the neighborhood of the city. The spectacle observed from the deck of the boat simply fascinates and fascinates, giving a feeling of peace and aesthetics of the beauty of the South Francesse land.
Walking along the canal, on the street Rue du Pont des marchans you can see not only boats and forged bridges, allowing you to go from one part of the city to another, but also very unusual Bridge of merchants (Pont des marchans), in which residential buildings and shops once appeared. The bridge is really very old and the exact time of his appearance is unknown, but he accurately helped crossing residents across the river OD before the 12th century, and perhaps in Roman times. After a breakthrough in the 18th century, the de la Robin canal, a slightly changed river line and who took one of the six Arches under the bridge, the Motor Bridge became a kind of attraction of the city, reminiscent of past times.
In addition to the miracles of natural and engineering, Narbon can boast and standing by architectural monuments. The main attraction of the city is considered Cathedral Saint-Just and Saint-Paster (Cathédrale Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur), besides other, one of the highest fun in all of France. This grand cathedral appeared in Narbonone at 13-14th centuries by order of the Pope of Clement IV, the former archbishop of the city. His pearl is rightfully considered to be choirs, the length of which delivers 60 meters at 40 meters in width. It is worth noting that the cathedral is finally not completed. Initially, he wondered in the form of a Latin cross, for which it was necessary to demolish part of the fortress wall. A very long time was controversial about this, so not ending. Nevertheless, the resulting cathedral is, in my opinion, a bright sample of gothic architecture, an indicator of the magnitude and power of the medieval Catholic Church and simply very interesting in terms of the history of architecture.
Not far from the Cathedral, another worthy monument of cult architecture was sheltered - Basilica of St. Paul (Basilique de Saint Paul-Serge) . It was built on the spot who was here in the 5th century of the burnt temple in the 5th century, and later also destroyed by the fire of the monastery. The structure itself was erected from 12 to 16th century, repeatedly rebuilt and absorbed the features of both Romanesque and later gothic style. Going inside, you can see several very unusual and unique items. Firstly, it is an ancient, dated 4 century, sarcophagus with the image of Christ and the well-standing spray man. Secondly - discovered in the 20th century during the excavations of the burial of the 4th century and the ancient cemetery inside the chapel, decorated with frescoes of 2-3 centuries. By the way, the most ancient burial, which can be seen with its own eyes is a richly decorated marble sarcophagus of the 3th century, belonging, apparently, a representative of a notable family. Well, of course, the organ made in the 19th century by the famous Master and allowing to enjoy the sound of immortal music.
Right in the heart of the city, next to the Cathedral on a small cozy area, another significant landmark of Narbon is elevated - Palace of Archbishopov (Palais Des Archevêques de Narbonne). It was built in the 19th century on the place of earlier buildings in the neo-neo-style and was intended to emphasize the influence of the then canonics. The complex itself consists of several parts - the new palace, the building of the Synod (there used to be an archbishop apartments in it, and now the Museum of Art and History), the old palace (here is the Archaeological Museum here), as well as Donjon Gilles Ossen and Towers of St. Martzia between which sheltered City Hall.
Right in front of the palace and the town hall, you can see the deepening in the pavement with the steps leading down. This is found in archaeological excavations fragment Roman bridge left for free access and inspection.
Another worthy architectural monument of the Narbon, and my opinion is Capella blue swing CHAPELLE DES PÉNITENTS BLEUS), located very close to the Cathedral. It was built in the 13th century for the Knights of the Order of St. John, and in the 15th century it became a chapel brotherhood of blue swords. Over the centuries, APSID has changed significantly, by adding various architectural styles: from Romance and Gothic to Baroque. And nowadays, I lost my original cult destination at all, since now there are exhibitions and organize all kinds of concerts.
If you walk from the town hall along the canal, and then go to one of the picturesque bridges, you can go to Covered market that appeared in the city in 1901. Its design very harmoniously combines elements from stone, metal and glass and presents guests and residents of the city not only a great place for shopping, but also a real decoration for the appearance of the city. Going inside, you can plunge into the world of gastronomic pleasures. Numerous merchants sell fresh fish and seafood, meat and cheeses, vegetables and fruits and even ready-made dishes. Prices are pleasantly surprised (often they are below the shop, with the exception, perhaps, cheeses from private farmers and freshly detected sea delicacies), and a cozy and friendly atmosphere contributes to the fact that it can be easily wandering a couple of hours, considering bright adhesives. The only thing you need to consider is that to visit the market it is better to choose the first half of the day, as after lunch (after an hour) is hardly able to catch.
And near the indoor food market, there is almost every day a tent market market, where you can buy interesting souvenirs, household goods or things. Although the price of the latter may be higher than in the store, and the quality is not higher, designed primarily for gusting passing tourists.
But not only the historic center of the city is worthy of attention, but every street. Walking around Narbon, now and you look around, to better consider the next unusual residential building, built, ships for architectural features, eyelids in the eighteenth, to take a picture of the Arabic style tower, it is not clear how it is found among residential buildings and office buildings. There is a pleasant atmosphere of the southern city, on the one hand, well acquainted to tourists, and on the other hand, who retained his unique appearance and comfort. Narbon attracts and warms, he wants to return here to learn him better and open new, still unknown pages of his history.
