Archbishop's Palace

The Archbishops' Palace, in Narbonne

The Archbishops' Palace is the imposing palace-fortress that dominates the heart of Narbonne. The Narbonne audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this vast medieval ensemble, one of the most remarkable of France, which today shelters the town hall and museums.

The palace-fortress of the archbishops

The Archbishops' Palace of Narbonne is one of the vastest and most impressive palatial ensembles of France, comparable to that of the popes of Avignon. A witness of the power of the archbishops of Narbonne, who reigned over the town and its territory, it combines two parts: the Old Palace, in Romanesque style, and the New Palace, Gothic, bristling with high towers and keeps. In the nineteenth century, the architect Viollet-le-Duc added to it a neo-Gothic façade on the town hall side. Today, the palace shelters the town hall of Narbonne as well as important museums, including the museum of art and history and the archaeological museum. The historic and religious heart of the town, the Archbishops' Palace is a major monument of Narbonne.

What to see

You admire the vast palace-fortress combining the Romanesque Old Palace and the Gothic New Palace bristling with high towers and keeps, with its neo-Gothic façade by Viollet-le-Duc, which shelters the town hall and important museums of art, history and archaeology. The Archbishops' Palace is a major monument of Narbonne. It is a must-see stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Archbishops' Palace lies in the heart of Narbonne, on the Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, reachable on foot. You admire its exterior freely; the visit of the museums and certain rooms follows its own hours and conditions, which vary with the season. It is best to check the arrangements before coming.

What does the Archbishops' Palace of Narbonne shelter?

The town hall of Narbonne as well as important museums, including the museum of art and history and the archaeological museum; this vast palace-fortress combines the Romanesque Old Palace and the Gothic New Palace.

Where is the Archbishops' Palace?

In the heart of Narbonne, on the Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, in France.