Narbonne ...








We ventured to nearby Narbonne, now home to an expanding wine region, with a population of some 50,000 residents. They serve nice lattes here and have some phenomenal pastry shops!

Narbonne includes an antique road, the Via Domitia, which was built in 120 BC and rediscovered in 1997. It's purpose was to carry goods from Italy to Spain. This roadway can be seen in the medieval Town Hall Square. Only a few kilometres from the Mediterranian sea, in its day Narbonne had a bustling port which allowed goods to be transported by barge.

Naronne fell into decline in the 14th century due, in part, to a change in course of the Aude River. Narbonne's port, silted up in 1320, had brought great wealth to the city, especially during the Middle Ages. Narbonne was also home to an impressive Jewish community which had played a pivotal role in the growth and development of the City until their expulsion late in the 13th century. This, coupled with the Black Death in 1310 (said to have taken 30,000 lives), were severe blows to the prosperity of Narbonne.

The Cathedrale St. Just replaced three primitive churches, the earliest of which dated from A.D.313. Its construction began in 1272 but was never completed. These changes in fortune are noticeable when you see the Cathedral is incomplete due to the City's decline and subsequent lack of funding.

Narbonne has managed to hold onto its importance as both a vital trading route and its flourishing wine trade.

Cheers, Shannon, Lori, Austin

Comments

  1. louiserunFebruary 7, 2010 at 3:38 PM

    So how good are those french pastries and do the lattes match the ones Shannon makes at home? I remember the french pastries and the other breads.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Shannon St. DennisFebruary 8, 2010 at 1:51 PM

    French pastries are very crumbly and rich... lattes are good, but small!

    ReplyDelete

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