Villefranche-de-Conflent

Villefranche was founded in 1092 where three valleys meet, in a gorge so narrow the village fills the floor of it, and Vauban rebuilt the defences after 1654 when the frontier moved. The walls, gates and towers are complete, and the covered rampart walk runs above the street. Above the village, Fort Liberia was built to hold the heights, and it is connected to the walls by an underground stairway of about seven hundred and thirty-four steps, known locally as the thousand steps, cut through the rock in the nineteenth century. Two show caves lie close by, and the site is part of the UNESCO Vauban listing.

What you actually see

• The complete walls - Vauban ramparts with a covered walk above the street.
• The thousand steps - an underground stairway of about 734 steps to the fort.
• Fort Liberia - the hill fort commanding the village.
• The Train Jaune halt - the yellow railway calling at the village.

When to go

April to October; the fort and stairway close in winter. The underground stair is steep and damp. A shuttle road serves the fort for those who prefer not to climb.

Honest expectations

The stairway is a genuine effort, seven hundred and thirty-four steps in a confined space. The village is one street and mostly craft shops. Parking is outside the walls.

Nearby

The Train Jaune runs up the valley; Saint-Martin-du-Canigou is south.