Journées européennes du patrimoine
Les 16 & 17 septembre 2023, les douze fortifications de Vauban inscrites sur la Liste du patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO vous proposent de nombreux événements. Découvrez-les vite !
Fortifications of Vauban
Villefranche-de-Conflent
A functional masterpiece
Located at the hollow of the deep Têt valley, the "petite villotte" (small town) was dominated on all sides. The medieval walls which stretch along the river were altered by Vauban in 1679.
The entire construction was revised by the engineer to ensure a better defence, and is made up of 3 different structures which mutually cover each other.
The town wall with its medieval towers was strengthened at the weak points and entirely crowned with a roof made from thick flagstones to protect it from enemy fire. The lower front was reinforced by a casemated grotto, the Cova Bastera, connected to the village by an underground stairway. Finally, in 1681, on the only high ground that the attacker could place cannons, Vauban built a fort, Fort Liberia, planned to hold a garrison of 96 soldiers.
Both in the quality of the building materials used and the adaptation to the existing buildings and to the terrain, the city of Villefranche-de-Conflent is a veritable masterpiece of fortification, still remarkably well-preserved today.
Inscribed Property
the enclosure, the Fort Liberia and the Cova Bastera
Outstanding Universal Value
advanced fort and adaptation of a medieval mountain wall
Date of construction
between 1669 and 1681
Altitude
between 1427 and 2021 ft
Department
Pyrénées-Orientales
Region
Occitanie
GPS coordinates
42.586645, 2.365359
The Fort Liberia
The ramparts of Villefranche-de-Conflent
The Fort Liberia
The site of Villefranche de Conflent, with the ramparts in the foreground and Fort Liberia in the background
A shared celebration to celebrate the 15th anniversary of "Fortifications of Vauban" as a World Heritage Site
On July 7th 2023, 15 years to the day after the Fortifications of Vauban were inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, the twelve major Vauban sites proudly celebrated this anniversary in ceremonies...
15th anniversary of the inscription of the Vauban Fortifications on the UNESCO World Heritage List
The year 2023 marks the 15th anniversary of the inscription of Vauban's Fortifications on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This is an opportunity to celebrate World Heritage and Vauban's work of genius...
Tourist information
The city of Villefranche is freely accessible all year round.
The ramparts are accessible every day from February to December, entrance fee payable.
Fort Liberia is open all year round, with an entrance fee.
YouTube channel of Villefranche-de-Conflent
How to visit / Access
Remparts de Villefranche-de-Conflent
Phone number: +33 4 68 05 87 05
2 rue Saint Jean
66 500 Villefranche-de-Conflent
Visit the website
The Fort Libéria
Phone number: +33 4 68 96 34 01
www.fort-liberia.com
Ressources