Mont-Louis, Military citadel at 1600 meters elevation in Pyrénées-Orientales, France.
Mont-Louis is a military fortress built on a high plateau in the Pyrénées-Orientales, sitting at about 1600 meters (5250 feet) elevation. The site features thick stone ramparts and angular bastions arranged to defend against attack from multiple directions.
The fortress was founded in 1679 after the Kingdom of France took control of the Roussillon region. Its construction served to defend the newly established French border against Spain.
The fortress carries the name of King Louis XIV, who ordered its construction to mark French control over the newly acquired territory. Walking through the streets today, you can see how residents and visitors move through the old military layout, with narrow passages and open squares that reflect its defensive design.
The fortress sits in the mountains, so warm clothing and sturdy shoes are important, especially because weather conditions can change quickly. The site is open for visitors to walk around and explore the old ramparts and fortification structures.
The site houses an experimental solar furnace built in 1949, making it one of the first of its kind in the world. This facility remains in use today for solar energy research, revealing a fascinating side to the fortress beyond its military past.
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