Cathédrale Saint-Just et Saint-Pasteur — Attraction in Narbonne

Fantastic 13th and 14th century cathedral which is Narbonne's most prestigious monument and a major building in the Gothic style of southern France. Its construction was ordered in 1268 by Pope Clement IV, former Archbishop of Narbonne and advisor to Saint-Louis. It was dedicated to the young Spanish martyrs Justus and Pasteur. Its choir, the 5th highest in France, reaches over 41 m under the keystone, and the Gothic altarpiece (14th century) of the axial chapel is a masterpiece of European Gothic sculpture. The cathedral forms a unique ensemble with the Archbishops' Palace-Museum. It connects with the current city center, an essential place in Narbonne life where you can admire the 12th century Palais-Vieux building, the Madeleine keep built in the 13th century and connected by an arch spanning the Passage de l'Ancre to the Saint-Martial tower from the early 14th century. At the top of the south tower is the "Bourdon," a large bell weighing 5 tons. It was the only bell to escape melting during the revolutionary days of 1793. Around 4 p.m., the Saint-Just bourdon chimes its deep notes above the rooftops in memory of the plague epidemic that devastated the city in 1652. Despite various attempts, the nave of this cathedral was never completed; it was to extend for a hundred meters more. The cloister galleries are interesting as well to discover.

On the upper floor of the Chapel of the Annunciation, in a brick-vaulted room, called "Chapter Room" features a square-shaped room covered by a brick dome that creates a curious acoustic phenomenon of sound propagation from one corner of the room to the other. Indeed, if you whisper in a corner facing the wall, you can be heard perfectly on the opposite side!

The Treasury brings together pieces from the Carolingian period to the modern era: a 9th-century carved ivory Gospel plaque, an 11th-century Hispano-Moresque pyxis, the illuminated pontifical of Archbishop Pierre de la Jugie, the Flemish tapestry of the Creation circa 1500, as well as other exceptional liturgical objects that testify to the great wealth of the archbishops of Narbonne !

Finally, save your legs and your breath to climb the 162 steps of the magnificent spiral staircase. At 42 meters high, you will enjoy an exceptional view of the city of Narbonne, from the coast to the Pyrenees. The keep, one of the best preserved in the south of France, is a powerful square tower, at the corner of the Palais Neuf, built from 1295 to 1306 by Archbishop Gilles Aycelin, also an advisor to King Philip IV Le Bel. It consists of four rooms : the hemispherical room called Treasury room, the king's chamber and the...

Narbonne Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur) is, without a doubt, one of the most breathtaking cathedrals in the world. If you are visiting the south of France, this masterpiece of Gothic architecture is an absolute must-see!

From the moment you lay eyes on its towering, unfinished walls, you can feel the weight of history and artistry that went into its construction. The cathedral was built in the 13th century and remains an incredible example of French Gothic design. Despite never being completed, its sheer scale and intricate details make it one of the most fascinating and beautiful religious sites in Europe.

Stepping inside, the first thing that strikes you is the soaring height of the nave. The ribbed vaults and grand arches create a sense of awe that is hard to describe. The stained-glass windows are simply stunning, casting vibrant colors across the stone walls and filling the space with an ethereal glow. Each window tells a story, and if you take the time to admire them, you’ll discover scenes from biblical history...

Cathedral itself is worth a visit but beware of pick pockets just outside the cathedral. We were walking under a tree in the cathedral courtyard and felt wet stuff falling on us. We thought we had been bombed by the birds. A couple quickly came up to us and offered to help us clean our hair and our shirts. They appeared very helpful and we were eager to follow their instructions so we can get the greenish stuff off. Later we discovered that they had emptied our wallets while “helping” us to clean up and the greenish stuff was not bird droppings but some kind of paint as it was extremely...