Fort Liberia, 17th-century military fort in Villefranche-de-Conflent, France.
Fort Liberia stands on a hilltop with two nested hexagonal structures and thick defensive walls designed for maximum military protection during attacks.
Military engineer Sebastien Le Prestre de Vauban constructed this fortification between 1681 and 1683 under orders from King Louis XIV following the Treaty of Pyrenees.
The fort functioned as both a military garrison for 100 soldiers and a prison facility, holding women connected to the Affair of the Poisons.
Visitors can reach the fort by climbing 734 steps through an underground staircase built in 1850 or taking a minibus from Villefranche-de-Conflent.
The fortress contains a powder magazine capable of storing 12,000 pounds of gunpowder and features a system of counterscarp defenses on its mountain side.
Location: Villefranche-de-Conflent
Location: Fuilla
Inception: 1681
Architects: Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban
Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible
Part of: Fortifications of Vauban
Address: H9Q7+VX, 66500 Villefranche-de-Conflent, France
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-18:00
Phone: +33468963401
Website: http://fort-liberia.com
GPS coordinates: 42.58990,2.36470
Latest update: August 27, 2025 17:26
The Eastern Pyrenees region of France features mountains, coastal areas, and historical sites. The territory extends from Pyrenean peaks to Mediterranean beaches, containing medieval fortresses, historic railways, deep gorges, thermal springs, and nature reserves. Notable elements include the 2,784-meter Canigou peak, the Yellow Train railway, coastal fortifications, and protected marine areas. The region presents archaeological sites, mineral formations, mountain lakes, and religious buildings from various periods.
Ligne de Cerdagne
21.7 km
Former hospital of Villefranche-de-Conflent
363 m
Maison d'Inès de Llad
369 m
Maison Berjoan
358 m
Maison Masdeu
371 m
Maison Durand Henriette
367 m
Maison Py Cécile
349 m
Casa del 19 del Carrer de Sant Joan
350 m
Maison Marty Joseph
352 m
Maison Laporte
373 m
Casa de l'11 del Carrer dels Teixidors
316 m
Maison Marty Jacques
349 m
Casa de l'11 del Carrer de Sant Joan
355 m
Casa del 47 del Carrer de Sant Joan
367 m
Chapelle du fort Libéria
33 m
Casa del 9 del Carrer de Sant Joan
355 m
Maison Berjoan Léon
349 m
Casa del 7 del Carrer de Sant Pere
315 m
Casa del 17 del Carrer de Sant Joan
350 m
Casa del 36 del Carrer de Sant Joan
371 m
Casa del 49 del Carrer de Sant Joan
373 m
Casa del 51 del Carrer de Sant Joan
373 m
Casa del 41 del Carrer de Sant Joan
359 m
Casa del 18-22 del Carrer de Sant Joan
364 m
Casa del 43 del Carrer de Sant Joan
361 m
Casa del 5 del Carrer de Sant Pere
324 m
Casa del 6 del Carrer de Sant Pere
338 m
Casa del 45 del Carrer de Sant Joan
363 mReviews
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