Llívia, Spanish enclave in Pyrénées-Orientales, France
Llívia is a Spanish municipality in the eastern Pyrenees fully surrounded by the French department of Pyrénées-Orientales. The core of the settlement spreads around a raised central point and forms a compact urban pattern with narrow lanes and traditional stone architecture.
The treaty of 1659 handed the surrounding villages of Cerdanya to France, but this settlement kept its status as Spanish territory. The decision rested on the distinction between village and town, which carried legal weight at the time.
The medieval past of the settlement shows in the preserved Romanesque church, whose compact structure shapes the townscape. Local people use the narrow lanes of the old center as pathways between the small squares where daily life takes place.
A road designated as neutral connects the territory to Spanish Puigcerdà and allows passage without major formalities. Visitors should note that mobile phone networks may switch between Spanish and French providers.
The historic pharmacy in the center still displays its original furniture and apothecary vessels from the 18th century. It ranks among the best preserved pharmacies in Europe and is often presented as a museum.
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