Terra Vinea, underground wine museum
This exceptional site hosts gigantic underground galleries with a discovery tour of the history of vines and wine in Narbonne. The numerous wine aging barrels of the Chai Cathédrale will guide you in particular towards the reconstructions of an ancient Roman wine-growing villa, a medieval banquet and towards a museum of the tools and machines used to work the vines over the years.
The history of Terra Vinea
1807 Start of gypsum exploitation in Portel-des-Corbières (open-air quarry).
1923 Start of exploitation of the underground quarry.
1992 Closure of the quarry for economic reasons.
1994 Opening of the Terra Vinea site. The story of Terra Vinea in Portel des Corbières began in 1807. And 60 years later, there were no fewer than three farms in the town and around thirty workers. For nearly 200 years, tons of gypsum were extracted in the 35 kilometers of galleries that make up the mine. Unfortunately, the quarry closed its doors in 1992 for economic reasons.
But the village winegrowers wanted to continue the adventure of the miners and they transformed these old galleries of exceptional dimensions into an aging cellar for wine and a discovery site. Terra Vinea opened its doors to the public in August 1994.
Visit to Terra Vinea
Set off to discover vines and wine, from Antiquity to the present day.
For the whole family Duration of the visit: 1h30
This exceptional site hosts gigantic underground galleries with a discovery tour of the history of vines and wine in Narbonnaise. The numerous wine aging barrels of the Chai Cathédrale will guide you in particular towards the reconstructions of an ancient Roman wine-growing villa, a medieval banquet and towards a museum of the tools and machines used to work the vines over the years.
Sound and light animation: Let yourself be tempted by a pretty animation, enhancing the immense vault of the Chai-Cathedral.
Virtual entertainment and guided or audio-guided tours: enjoy a unique experience where your senses will be awakened and you can enjoy a free tasting of different carefully selected local wines.
Book your Terra Vinea tour. Restaurant Le Grenache
The restaurant Le Grenache, in Portel-des-Corbières, welcomes you in an exceptional setting and a friendly atmosphere 15 minutes from Narbonne, where you can discover varied and tasty cuisine.
Around Terra Vinea, the Narbonne area offers a multitude of points of tourist interest. The Sigean African Reserve: The Sigean African Reserve is a French zoological park located on the Mediterranean coast, between Narbonne and Perpignan. This park is home to more than 3,800 animals and all species over more than 300 hectares. It can be visited by car or on foot, you will spend the whole day there, you can plan a picnic, you will find areas dedicated to this.
Lastours Castle: Lastours constitutes a vast archaeological complex with its four castles, Cabaret, Tour Régine, Surdespine and Quertineux. The Four Châteaux of Lastours have been classified as Historic Monuments since 1905 and Grand Sites Occitanie since 2018 with the City of Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi. The Cathar Chocolate Makers: Les Chocolatiers Cathares are located near Narbonne, Youcef Osmani, a recognized artisan chocolatier, offers a range rich in taste. The Chocolate Museum: by reservation, 45 minute visit from Monday to Saturday.
In this immense forest of cocoa trees… Discover the wonderful world of chocolate over more than 500m². You can discover old machines from the 1900s.
Fontfroide Abbey: The Cistercian abbey of Fontfroide is nestled in the foothills of the Corbières, southwest of Narbonne. Founded in 1093, Fontfroide, now classified as a Historic Monument and Great Site of Occitanie, spans centuries, eras and events, witnessing History for present and future generations.
The Giant Chasm of Cabrespine: The Giant Chasm of Cabrespine is one of the 10 most beautiful caverns in Europe, with a depth of 250 meters and a volume of 1,600,000 m³. It offers the particularity of having a diversity of training unequaled until now.
Suspended above the void, marvel at a panel of concretions on the disc belvedere. Admire the aragonite crystals in the Red Room.