The Roman Roads of Languedoc

Roman history is never far away in Narbonne! I was lunching with a friend and we found this establishment on the Rue Droite.  This street, lined with small shops, continues north from the Place de Ville in front of the cathedral, where is revealed part of the Roman Via Domitia.

  Before La Place, today's rue de Pont des Marchands crosses the canal, which used to be the river Aude in Roman days, and the arches of the old Roman bridge can still be seen by the water if you walk along the canal bank.

  So, over the bridge, across the place, and up the rue Droite to find our eaterie, where I had great fun photographing the reflections in the window across the narrow road. Inside was preserved a beautiful Roman arch!

  In Roman days, all the small shops would be set back a little from the road; this arch was actually the entrance to a shop.  Basically, the small trading customs of the rue Droite have not changed since Roman times.  We sat at the table on the left to enjoy a vegetarian meal at a reasonable price with salad thrown in, and admired the decor.  It was not however, Roman!

  The Creperie d'Oc is open at lunchtimes on weekdays.