Fort Liberia


Villefranche’s mighty fort dominates the skyline above town. Built by Vauban in 1681, it was heavily refortified by Napoléon III between 1850 and 1856. You can wander around its corner turrets and battlements, as well as the defensive keep, the powder magazine and a former prison. A shuttle bus from town (adult/child return €11/5.50) saves you a steep climb up 844 steps in an underground tunnel or a 20-minute walk on a path.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Ramparts

0.19 MILES

It’s still possible to walk along many of Villefranche’s ramparts. Built in stages between the 11th and 19th centuries, they have survived remarkably…

2. Eus

6.04 MILES

Travelling around the Têt Valley, it's well worth visiting the hilltop village of Eus, 12km northeast of Villefranche-de-Conflent. The approach to the…

3. Orgues d'Ille-sur-Têt

14.56 MILES

These rock formations must be one of the most striking geological wonders in Occitanie, though they have remained well under the tourist radar. They…

4. Château de Puilaurens

15.14 MILES

In a lofty location 63km northwest of Perpignan via the D117, turreted Puilaurens is perhaps the most dramatic of the Cathar fortresses. It has the full…

5. Santuari de la Mare de Déu

17.13 MILES

The region's high point (literally and figuratively) is Núria's strangely austere 1911 sanctuary. A gold-and-pastel-painted passageway leads to its upper…

6. Pont du Diable

20.44 MILES

Coming from Perpignan, you can't miss this graceful stone bridge that spans the Tech river with a single arch of 45m. It was built in the 14th century.

7. Musée d’Art Moderne

20.86 MILES

Roussillon had its artistic heyday around the turn of the 20th century, when Fauvist and cubist artists flocked here, attracted by the searing colours and…

8. Castell de Llívia

21.08 MILES

Though little more than walls remain of Llívia's ruined hilltop castle, it's worth the hefty 15-minute climb for the fabulously beautiful wraparound views…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "france/villefranche-de-conflent/attractions/fort-liberia/a/poi-sig/1238099/1317086",
      "position": "superzone"
    }