Narbo Martius — Uncover the Senate's Hidden Conspiracy

Your quest to foil the plot begins in Narbonne's Place de l'Hôtel de Ville. Here, the pavement of the Via Domitia, built in 118 BC, unfolds before your eyes. This Roman road, the first major route in Gaul, crossed Narbo Martius and connected Italy to Spain. It is also at this location that the Cardo and Decumanus, the urban axes of the colony founded in 118 BC, intersected. The details engraved in the stone of these Via Domitia vestiges are your first clues to reveal the coordinates of the ancient plan, guiding your exploration of Roman heritage.

The investigation then leads you to the underground galleries of the Horreum Romain, dating from the 1st century BC. This warehouse, one of the few intact vestiges of Narbo Martius, testifies to the technical prowess of Roman builders for storing goods. Located in the historic center, a short walk from the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, this Monument Historique Horreum Romain immerses you in the ingenuity of ancient engineering. The shadows and nooks of these millennial vaults conceal forgotten parchments and coded messages, essential to understanding the senatorial conspiracy plaguing Narbonne.

Continuing your journey through Narbonne's historic center, you reach the Palais des Archevêques. Built from the 13th century, this architectural complex dominates the city. Its 42-meter-high keep, with its 162 spiral staircase steps, offers a panoramic view, but also a strategic observation point for conspirators. Residence of the archbishops until the 17th century, this medieval monument, located less than 500m from the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, symbolizes the ecclesiastical power succeeding the Roman era. The adjacent Jardin des Vicomtes, a historic space transformed into a landscaped garden, could hide evidence left by former occupants.

Adjacent to the Palais des Archevêques stands the Cathédrale Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur, an unfinished Gothic cathedral whose construction began in 1272. Its adjoining 14th-century cloister, classified as a Historic Monument, is a haven of peace and reflection. The religious center of medieval Narbonne, it is in immediate proximity to Roman vestiges, creating a striking contrast between eras. The architectural elevation of 13th-century Occitania, visible in its vaults and stained glass, might contain forgotten symbols, clues to unmask the culprits and save the city.

Your exploration of Narbonne, rich in heritage and history, concludes with the information gathered about the plot. You have traversed the first Roman colony of Gaul, walked the Via Domitia 118 BC, and admired monuments of Occitania that tell centuries of evolution. This treasure hunt in Narbonne has made you discover not only well-known sites like the Palais des Archevêques, but also hidden details. This interactive tour of Narbonne is a true immersion into the past, revealing how ancient history still shapes the present, and how a single individual can change the course of a city.