Palais des archevêques de Narbonne

The idea of establishing a public museum in Narbonne emerged in the early decades of the 19th century, aiming to preserve art and cultural assets confiscated during the French Revolution. In 1833, the museum was founded on the initiative of the scholar Paul Tournal. Its collections steadily grew through acquisitions, donations, and bequests. Significant endowments in the 19th century, including from Peyre (1859), Barathier (1867), and Bonnel (1889), contributed to the expansion of its holdings. From its inception, the museum included departments for art, decorative arts, and archaeological artifacts.

The Palais des archevêques de Narbonne is situated in the city of Narbonne, in the Aude department of the Occitanie region, France, at an elevation of approximately 13 meters above sea level.