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Narbonne,
discover the city |
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PALAIS
DES ARCHEVEQUES (Archbishops Palace)
We enter in the " Cour de la Madeleine" which is dominated
by the Théodard carolingian bell-tower and the cathedral
Chevet. Escavations have revealed successive religious edifices
existing before the present cathedral.The east-wing of the Archbishop's
residence has 12th century architecture. The south wing has multiple
influences ; Roman , Gothic and Rennaissance.There is a 13th century
keep at the angle of these two buildings. From the main Court ,
we find ourselves in front of the Synod building constructed in
the 14th century , the Aycelin keep and the Saint Marial tower.
Viollet-Le-Duc built , in 1840 , the east wing which is today dedicated
to municipal offices.
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THE
CATHEDRAL
Its construction began in 1272. The choir loft was completed in
1354. Note that the transept and the nave date only from the 18th
century. It is worth-while to visit the cathedral for its architecture.
There are 41meter high arches.
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MUSEE
OF ARCHEOLOGY
Located at the "Palais Neuf", it houses a significant
collection of pre-historic (paleolithic , neolithic , bronze age
, begining of the iron age ) and Gallo-Roman antiquities (utensils
, tools , jewellery etc ...).
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MUSUEM
OF ART AND HISTORY
Located in the "Palais Neuf" this museum offers an additional
opportunity to wander through the former appartments belonging to
the Archbishops ; appartments which are presented as they used to
be in the 17th and 18th centuries. A good artistic collection dating
back from 1835 is also displayed here. It is worth visiting the
"la salle des Gardes", "la chambre du Roi" with
its magnificent ceiling and the "la Grande Galerie".
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CANAL DU MIDI
The Romans had envisaged a communication between the Atlantic Ocean
and the Mediterranean sea. In 1662 Pierre-Paul Riquet managed to
convince Colbert to accept his project and so received authorization
in 1666.Note that this farmer from the Languedoc region will eventually
carry on this project at his own cost.
It will require 10,000 workmen and 14years to complete this project.The
result is not disappointing.
The Canal du Midi is a real masterpiece.It connects the Mediterranean
to the Garonne (Toulouse) over a length of
240 km.
It was utilized during the 18th century by goods boats , a function
that continued for the next two centuries. Today , river tourism
thrives exceptionally well on the Canal , offering a marvelous method
of get-away.
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