Port-La-Nouvelle, in the Aude region of France, has welcomed its first cruise liner.

Le Columbus, operated by a German company, Hapag-Lloyd, arrived in the port – rather more famous as an oil terminal – last Saturday (13 September) with 270 tourists on board.

Narbonne’s harbour authorities saw the docking of the 144-metre vessel as the first anchor in a long-term plan to increase leisure traffic in a port fast becoming a tourist destination.

Those onboard were given the opportunity to visit Carcassonne, the Fontfroide Abbey and the city of Narbonne, before the ship continued its journey towards Barcelona.

A second 100-metre long liner is expected on 28 October. The port has the capacity to receive vessels carrying up to 400-500 tourists, taking berths on the same quays that regularly receive oil tankers.

The Port-La-Nouvelle, could well become a sought after stop for cruise liners sailing between Marseille and Barcelona.