The regions of Languedoc, Midi-Pyrénées and Aqutaine connect the cities of Narbonne (Colonia Narbo Martius), Toulouse (Tolosa) and Bordeaux (Burdigala). The Romans conquered the region in 56 B.C.. Not only did they settle the area without much conflict, they also brought with them their knowledge and civilisation.

Streets were built, city plans were drawn up and splendid villas were built. The Romans introduced both their language and their wine. They are to thank for the first grapevines, "biturica" in Latin.

Narbonne: the first colony to be founded outside of Rome by the Romans. Narbo Martius, capital of the Roman Province of Gallia Narbonensis, was the second-largest Roman port after Ostia - there was a long-standing rivalry for the title with the cities of Arles and Marseille.

It was a trading centre for wares and materials coming from and going to Rome; metal from Aquitania, grain, oil, amphorae and slaves from Brittany and Spain. Roman merchants had a reputation for being ruthless traders. Merchant culture is still blooming, albeit in a more modern way, in the "Halles de Narbonne".

Not far from Narbonne, the area around Crusades was already inhabited at the time of the Roman Emperor Caesar. The winemaking history of Corbières began when the Romans planted the first grapevine here in 125 B.C..

Documentary: Backroads Europe - France's via Aquitania
Directed by: Jeremy J.P. Fekete
Production: MAHA PRODUCTIONS & ARTE G.E.I.E.

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