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A Medieval Walled Town - An important example of Vauban's work
COMTAL Gate
 A brief history. In 1092 the Count of Cerdanya, Guillaume Raymond, decided to build a town at the confluence of three rivers, the Têt, the Cady and the Rotja in order to protect the valleys from invasion. In the same year, the Bishop of Elne gave permission for the construction of the church of St Jacques.
- In 1095 the newly-built town is named VILA FRANCA ('Town of free-trade') by the Count of Cerdanya. The tax privileges bestowed on Villefranche encourage the installation of many different trades: weavers, tanners, drapers, stonemasons, merchants...
- In 1277, exclusive market rights are granted for the sale of meat, fish and vegetables on the Place de l'église.
- In 1654, the Treaty of the Pyrenees brings about the division of Catalonia into South Catalonia and North Catalonia (currently the Pyrénées Orientales department).
- In 1681 Vauban builds Fort Liberia and remodels Villefranche, making the ramparts higher. He oversees the construction of a barracks, a hospital, watch towers, gunpowder stores and the demolition of the Franciscan convent in the town.
- From the 18th Century to the present day, under Louis XVI (1783), the narrow carriage gates are replaced by larger gates in pink marble and a drawbridge.
- In the 19th Century, Napoleon III orders extensive building works, notably the construction of the underground passage "of a thousand steps" which links Villefranche de Conflent to Fort Liberia via 775 steps (starting point by the Pont St Pierre, a Roman bridge).
Pont Saint Pierre (13th Century)
Saint Pierre Gate - Fort Liberia
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