Vauban's fortresses

The fortresses of Villefranche de Conflent and Mont-Louis have joined the very select circle of World Heritage monuments in 2008.

Unesco World Heritage site - Languedoc-Roussillon, South of France

Vauban - France Fortified Towns

The two Catalan sites, the fortified town of Villefranche-de-Conflent and the citadel of Mont-Louis in the Pyrenees Orientales, have finally gained the international recognition they deserve.

Founded in 1090 by the Count of Cerdagne in a hollow in the Têt valley, the medieval town of Villefranche-de-Conflent is already classed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. The original fortification, of which several vestiges still remain, was reworked in the 14th century by the King of Aragon and finished by Vauban in the 17th century. He reinforced the main enclosing wall and constructed Fort Liberia, above the town. This village, which is as impressive for its setting as it is for its architecture, is the starting point for many walking routes and the Little Yellow Train of Cerdagne.

Situated close to Font-Romeu, the citadel of Mont-Louis was constructed from scratch to defend the frontier with Spain. After the signature of the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659, to secure the new frontier with Spain, Vauban created the entire fortified town of Mont-Louis, in honour of Louis XIV. This, the highest of France’s fortresses (1600), is situated on the strategic crossroads of three valleys, (Têt, Aude and Cerdagne). Its original plan envisaged 4 zones, the citadel, the upper town, a lower town and a redoubt (these two latter were never built).

The fortified town of Mont-Louis has preserved its civil character as much as the military. It has been occupied continuously for more than 325 years by the army and today the Centre National d’Entraînement Commando (CNEC), commando training centre, is based there. Within the military walls the Puits des Forçats, a 17th century well, is an exceptional piece of architecture still extant; its immense wheel provided water for the whole of the military area. The ramparts are intact and maintain a military vocation today. This feat of technology and ingenuity was constructed within 2 years (1679-1681) by 2000 people.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Office de tourisme de Villefranche-de-Conflent
Tel : 33 (0)4 68 96 22 96 ou 33 (0)4 68 96 10 78 (mairie)
2, rue St Jean
66500 Villefranche-de-Conflent
Office de Tourisme de Mont Louis
Tel : 33 (0)4 68 04 21 97
3 rue Lieutenant Pruneta
66210 Mont-Louis
Le Réseau des sites Vauban (in French)