Narbonne : book your hotel

Founded in the second century BC, the Roman city of Narbo was once an influential Mediterranean trade port – until a change in the course of the River Aude cut it off from the sea in the Middle Ages.

Now, Narbonne is a tourism centre famed for its graceful Gothic architecture, tranquil waterways lined with plane trees and a coastline nearby that tempts with the promise of regional seafood and sunlit sands. Discover the city's rich history through its fascinating museums and landmark monuments, or immerse yourself in the unique culture and cuisine of the Aude region by planning your visit around one of its many annual festivals. Les Festejades, a three-day celebration of Occitan music, food and dance held every summer in nearby Gruissan, is particularly worth attending. Nature-lovers are also well catered for, with spectacular hiking within easy reach in the Massif de la Clape and the Corbières Mountains; while family holidays in Narbonne are made special by trips to beaches and waterparks. Whether you plan on visiting solo, with the kids or on a romantic weekend getaway, Accor has the best deals on a wide range of Narbonne accommodation options.

Narbonne sightseeing trips typically begin at the city's most recognisable landmark, Cathédrale Saint-Just et Saint-Pasteur (or more simply, Narbonne Cathedral). An enthralling example of high Gothic architecture complete with soaring flying buttresses and a dizzying vaulted choir, the cathedral is unique for being unfinished – the result of a threatened invasion that prevented the city ramparts from being demolished for building materials as planned when construction began in the second half of the 13th century. The cathedral is contiguous with the Palais des Archevêques, a palace and former residence of Narbonne archbishops that also doubled as a fortress. These days, it's home to several museums, including the Musée Archéologique, displaying Bronze Age tools and 14th-century frescoes, and the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, filled with European paintings and patterned faïence pottery. Climb the 42-metre Donjon Gilles Aycelin watchtower for views over the cathedral and city to the distant mountains, and then head underground to explore the Horreum Romain, a series of subterranean storage spaces built by the Romans in the 1st century BC. For a deeper insight into Narbonne's Roman past, visit Musée Narbo Via. Housed in a masterpiece of contemporary architecture, this museum of antiquities hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions of sculptures and intricately carved stone building blocks. Time for a breather? The Canal de la Robine bisects the city, providing a serene backdrop for boat trips and towpath cycle rides to Mandirac Lock and on to the sea.

Narbonne is also the ideal base for exploring some of the most beautiful rural areas in the Aude département. A 20-minute drive south-west of the city centre takes you to the Abbaye de Fontfroide, an immaculately restored Cistercian abbey nestled deep in the Corbières Mountains. Built in the 11th century, it features a columned cloister and abbey church as well as a gorgeous garden with more than 2,500 rose bushes. The area around the abbey is ideal for hiking – as is the Massif de la Clape, a former island in between Narbonne and the sea known for its garrigue shrubland and rolling vineyards. If you can drag yourself away from the ancient Roman villages and rural farms of the region's upland areas, the coast has plenty to offer too. The beach resort of Narbonne-Plage is 20 minutes by car from the city and offers a stretch of golden sand for sunbathing, watersports and swimming in the balmy Mediterranean Sea. Spring visitors should keep an eye out for the annual international kite festival known as Natur'ailes, while the beachfront waterpark Aquajet is a surefire hit with families in summer for its adrenaline-inducing slides and child-friendly freshwater pools. Alternatively, head further south from Narbonne to Gruissan-Plage, another beautiful beach fronting a fishing village with historic wooden cottages on stilts and known for its world-class seafood.

Gruissan is not the only draw for foodies. Narbonne has plenty of gourmet treats to offer, with menus in the best restaurants highlighting regional specialities such as brasucade de moules (mussels in a mustard and white wine sauce) and bourride d'anguilles (eel stew). For meat eaters, fréginat wild boar stew from the Corbières foothills is another unmissable Narbonne dish – while vegetarians will find a cornucopia of sumptuous fruit and vegetables at Les Halles de Narbonne. In fact, visiting this covered market is one of the most popular activities in Narbonne for gourmands, featuring more than 60 artisan stalls overflowing with pastries, cheeses and the fruity wines of the Aude region.

Whether you're in town on business or for a spot of Narbonne sightseeing, Accor is proud to present some of the best places to stay in Narbonne. For budget-conscious travellers, the ibis Narbonne is a particular highlight, offering a convenient location close to the city centre and its major access routes, the A9 and A61 highways. With a market-style restaurant open daily for lunch and dinner, high-speed WiFi and a free car park, a stress-free Narbonne visit is virtually guaranteed. Looking for the ideal family hotel in Narbonne Sud? Our Novotel property welcomes guests of all ages with an outdoor swimming pool and children's play area, and a selection of rooms and suites for up to four people. Seven meeting rooms also make it the ideal choice for coworking in Narbonne. Our budget hotels across the city provide alternative options for those looking to spend a minimum on bed and breakfast.

Narbonne has good road connections to southern French destinations including Perpignan (50 minutes), Montpellier (1 hour, 20 minutes) and Toulouse (1 hour, 45 minutes). It's also easy to reach the city by train, thanks to the regional TER and high-speed TGV services that call at Gare de Narbonne station. From Paris Gare de Lyon, it's a 4.5-hour, direct train journey to Narbonne. Béziers Cap d'Agde Airport is 40 minutes away by car and offers budget flights to major UK cities as well as Paris, Dusseldorf and Stockholm.