The lively city of Narbonne began life in 118 BC as a Roman colony and was, in those days, a port on the Mediterranean Sea called Narbo Martius known colloquially as Narbo. It became an important settlement on the Via Domitia, the main road from Rome to Spain, and gave its name to the whole of the south of France which became known in the time of Emperor Augustus as Gallia Narbonensis

Via Domitia

After the fall of Rome, Narbonne was captured by the Visigoths and eventually became their capital. Later it was held by the Saracens although by 759 AD it was in the hands of the Franks.

During the Middle Ages the City and surrounding area were controlled by the Viscount of Narbonne who, while sympathetic to the many Cathars who lived nearby, was powerless to prevent their persecution when the Crusaders arrived.