Backroads Europe

The Via Aquitania in France (1x3)

Air date: Apr 22, 2015

In 56 BC, the Romans conquered Gaul, bringing their knowledge and civilization with them. Streets were laid out, city maps drawn and lush villas built. Narbonne was the first Roman colony outside of Italy. And Narbo Martius, capital of the Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis, was the second largest Roman port after Ostia. For a long time it rivaled Arles and Marseille and was an important hub for goods and raw materials: metals from Aquitaine, grain, oil, amphorae and slaves from Brittany and Spain. The wine history of the Corbières region began when the first grapevines were planted by the Romans in 125 BC. The Via Aquitania led through today's vineyards of Château Coulon and Château Veredus.