Narbo Via

About the museum

The creation of the museum was decided in 2010 on the initiative of the former Languedoc-Roussillon region, together with the Commission archéologique de Narbonne. The firm Foster + Partners won the architectural competition, and the foundation stone was laid in November 2015. The name combines that of the ancient city, Narbo, with the Via Domitia.

The museum opened to the public on May 19, 2021 and holds the “Musée de France” label. The building covers about 8,000 m², of which almost 2,700 m² is given over to the permanent display, and it opens onto about three hectares of gardens. It takes in much of the Roman collection of the former archaeological museum of Narbonne.

The route tells the story of the founding of the Roman colony of Narbo Martius, its urban and social life, its houses, its port and Late Antiquity. The “mur lapidaire”, a 76-metre gallery, displays 760 Roman blocks. The public body Narbo Via also manages the Amphoralis site at Sallèles-d’Aude and the underground galleries of the Horreum in Narbonne.

Highlights

• 76-metre lapidary wall with 760 Roman blocks
• Route through the Roman colony of Narbo Martius
• Ancient wall paintings
• Three-dimensional reconstructions of the ancient port
• Foster + Partners building and terraced gardens

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours permanent Narbo Martius – Founding of the Roman colony, urban and social life, houses, port and Late Antiquity, with the 760-block lapidary wall.

Founded

2021

Operated by

EPCC Narbo Via

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month, from October to May.

Free admission, on proof, for recipients of minimum social benefits, asylum seekers, the press, holders of ICOM and ICOMOS cards, tour guides and teachers preparing a visit (request by e-mail to reservation@narbovia.fr).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Reserved parking spaces and a bus drop-off area in front of the museum. Free loan, subject to availability: wheelchairs, seated walking sticks, pushchairs, noise-cancelling headphones, magnifiers, large-print and Braille booklets, high chairs. Group offers adapted for intellectual, cognitive, psychological and hearing disabilities and for sign language users; an offer for visual impairments has been announced. Groups should book one month in advance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly

Free admission for under-18s; pushchairs and high chairs available to borrow, and workshops for children according to the department’s tourist information page.

Getting there & parking

By car: A9 motorway, exit 37 “Narbonne Est”, then towards the city centre. Five bicycle hoops near the museum and two bicycle shelters on Avenue André Mècle.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Restaurant “Cadence au Musée”, bookshop-boutique and terraced gardens. Wi-Fi is mentioned on the department’s tourist information page.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The site has a “Location d’espaces et mécénat” (venue hire and patronage) page; the department’s tourist information page mentions an auditorium, a screening room and an equipped meeting room.

Plan your visit