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 | The town was founded in 1092 by Count Guillaume Raymond de Cerdagne in a strategic location at the junction of three valleys, at the foot of the Canigou mountain. The fortifications surrounding the town, whose construction was undertaken between the 11th and 19th centuries, have been preserved over the years. They most notably underwent extensive rebuilding from 1669 to 1676 when, under the shrewd supervision of the Sun King's engineer, the military architect Vauban, the defences were adapted to the techniques of modern siege warfare. Today, along with other major Vauban sites, Villefranche de Conflent is a candidate for classification as a UNESCO World heritage Site. | The visit takes you round the inner walls, allowing you to fully appreciate the ingenuity of the successive defensive systems: as you make your way along the rampart walkway (lower level) and the parapet walk (upper level), you will observe arrow slits, machicolations and towers which date back to the Middle Ages, as well as bastions, loop holes, and 17th century cannon embrasures. |  |  | The exceptionally well-preserved ramparts bear witness to our town's eventful history down the ages: a visit of the city walls is like a trip through time and you can cross several centuries by going up a few steps, the length of a curtain wall, from one floor to another, or from a tower to a bastion. | PLEASE NOTE ! In order to get the most out of your visit, an AUDIO GUIDE is available from the Ramparts reception desk. Our Electronic Guide will enhance your tour with useful commentary and anecdoctes. Rental charge: €3 (suitable for groups of up to 10) |
FREE FLOW ADMISSION | Rates for 2007
| Price | | Inviduals | | Adult | € 4 | Concessions (child, student)
| € 3 | | Child U-12 | Free | Group (10 or more people)
| | Adult | € 3 | Child (school group)
| € 1,50 | | |
Guided Tours(For groups. Booking necessary) 
| For those who wish to make the most of the exceptional cultural heritage that our town has to offer, the town council provides a guided tour service with commentary from an accredited "Monuments Historiques" guide.
These ancient walls do not readily reveal their secrets, but you will find that all becomes clear when the guide explains both the basic and detailed history of this "little town of 140 homesteads" (VAUBAN).
|  | Top left : A Bartizan seen from below.
Left : View of Villefranche de Conflent and the Têt Valley.
Right : A Curtain wall inside the ramparts. |  ENTRANCE TO THE RAMPARTS 32Bis, rue Saint Jacques Villefranche de Conflent 04 68 96 16 40 |
Admission Prices 2007 | Price per person
| Duration
| Groups of 15 to 30 | Groups of 31 to 50 | Schools | The town, the church and the ramparts | 1h30 | € 7,00 | € 6,00 | € 4,00 | The ramparts
| 1h | € 6,00 | € 5,00 | € 3,50 | The town and the church
| 1h | € 4,00
| € 3,00 | € 2,50 | | Treasure Hunts or Scavenger Hunts | From pre-school upwards | € 4,00 | One free entry for every 15 participants. Schools (or extra-curricular, etc.): one accompanying adult goes free per ten children. Student and teacher materials are available. |
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| - The bell tower and snow-covered rooftops seen from the ramparts
- Arrow slit, with a rounded opening at the base for musket fire
- Bartizan: a wall turret which can be dismantled thereby
allowing a cannon to be put in position - Stairs in the Devil's Tower
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