Palaces to visit Narbonne

The gate of the archbishop's palace, which gives direct access to Palais-Neuf, is at the right of the route of Ancre. We can see the top of the keep of Gilles Aycelin's donjon from the main courtyard. This donjon was built to establish the authority of the archbishops over the Viscounts; whose residence was located just opposite, in order keep watch of the bridge and the neighbouring port. Enter through the reception of the town hall in order to visit the vaulted room called salle du Trésor. You can also visit the hall of the Consuls, which is characterised by a series of pillars supporting the upper floor. It constitutes the remains of the first fortification ramparts built in the Roman Empire to protect the roman people from the barbarian invasions. You reach the first floor by a staircase built in 1628 where you can find the famous room of the superb synod hall, it was the reception hall of the archbishop, where several Languedoc General Assemblies were held. The height of this room was reduced by half to enable the creation of an additional floor. On these walls, you can admire four Aubusson tapestries of the 17th century, which were based on the Stories of Esther.