Villefranche de Conflent

Villefranche de Conflent is an ancient fortified market town and the capital of the Conflent area. At the foot of Mont Canigou, the village has retained some very beautiful relics of its history and its position as a defensive site.

Pyrénées-Orientales, Languedoc-Roussillon, South of France

Villefranche de Conflent - Canigou

In the 11th century, the powerful Count of Cerdagne, the rival of the Count of Roussillon, found a strategic position in Villefranche-de-Conflent. Indeed, the village is ideally situated at the meeting-point of two rivers.

Once fortified, Villefranche-de-Conflent began to play its defensive role and maintained this position for many centuries. In the 17th century, by adding his system of fortifications to the medieval ramparts, Vauban strengthened its position as the military capital of a region that had been a frontier area for so long.

Today, the appearance of Villefranche-de-Conflent is of a great monumental ensemble built of pink marble. The church of St Jacques in the main square is renowned for its magnificent 12th century Romanesque doorway of local marble. One curiosity of the village is not to be missed: entry to Fort Libéria, built by Vauban, is via an amazing underground stairway, known as the "Stairway of a Thousand Steps”.

Tourist Office
32, bis rue Saint -Jacques 66500
VILLEFRANCHE-DE-CONFLENT
Tel: + 33 (0) 4 68 96 22 96
Website

Hotels in Villefranche de Conflent