Narbonne

Narbonne, town in southern France, in the Aude Department, Languedoc-Roussillon region. It is a wine-trade, manufacturing, and transport centre, producing clothing, pottery, tiles, machinery, and fertilizer. Historical landmarks include Roman ruins; the cathedral of St Just (begun 1272, and still unfinished); and the former archiepiscopal palace (begun 13th century), now housing the city hall and museums of art and archaeology.

In 118 bc Narbonne became the site of Narbo Martius, the first Roman colony founded beyond the Alps. An archiepiscopal see from the 4th century to 1801, the town was captured by the Visigoths in 413 and by the Saracens in 719. It was a major port until the early 14th century, when its harbour silted up. Narbonne passed to the French Crown in 1507. Population 46,510 (1999).