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Below is an extract of the audio guide available in 6 languages that you can now rent in Narbonne (at the souvenir shop of the Palace). It is one of the 97 commentaries aimed at deciphering the mystery of the Archbishops’ palace and of the gothic cathedral:

“Sublime. One can only agree with Stendhal on entering the cathedral of Saint-Just and Saint-Pasteur. The glance is drawn upward, uninterrupted, by the «prodigious elevation of the choir» Slender columns sweep up to the ribbed vaulting. The three levels: great arcades, triforium and clerestory windows, possess a geometrical perfection as they climb to the vault 40 metres above. Saint-Just and Saint-Pasteur is equal in height to French cathedrals such as Beauvais, Amiens and Reims. According to the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, this stone construction pushed the technical capacity of the time to its limits. Hadn’t the vaults of Beauvais – 48 metres high – collapsed in 1284? Its completion was the young Viollet-le-Duc’s first architectural project, which he was unable to carry out due to lack of support, and to a disagreement with the inhabitants of Narbonne."

The Gothic style was inspired by the “noble and magnificent" churches of the kingdom of France, which, considered from the perspective of the Languedoc, was in the North. It had become the standard in the 13th and 14th centuries. It is therefore only natural that it was chosen to create an appropriate setting for the cathedra, or bishop’s throne. There were also political reasons for this choice of architecture. The gothic cathedral is in essence dedicated to the royal cult, and the province of Narbonne had just been reunited to the Crown of France, following the Albigensian crusade.

An absolute must

In 1981, a remarkable polychrome reredos was rediscovered behind the 18th century decoration in the chapel of Our Lady of Bethlehem. This 14th century masterpiece lined all three walls of the chapel. Restoring its vision of Heaven and Hell was like putting together a jigsaw puzzle.

The archbishops' palace souvenir shop:

To discover from a different angle, with your rhythm, and in total freedom the Archbishops Palace, the cathedral of Saint-Just and Saint-Pasteur as well as the museum they shelter. Images, sounds and videos will enable you to visit those places a la carte… Six languages available: French, English, Italian, Spanish, German and Dutch.

Rates: 4€ / £3.20 per person, 9.50 € / £7.70 with an access to the dungeon, to the archeological museum, to the art museum and to the treasures of the cathedral.

From October 1st to June 30th: every day from 9 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm.
From July 1st to September 30th: every day from 10 am to 6 pm.

 

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