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Mont-Louis
Vauban's citadel at 1,600 metres
France's highest fortified town, built in 1679–1681 by Vauban to guard the border with Spain. The citadel is still used by the army. It is also home to the world's first solar furnace, from 1949, which you can visit.
UNESCO World Heritage
Fortifications of Vauban
- World Heritage since
- 2008
- This site
- The citadel and the walled town
Twelve fortifications along France's borders designed by the military engineer Vauban for Louis XIV. In the Pyrenees they include the walled town of Villefranche-de-Conflent with Fort Libéria and the citadel town of Mont-Louis, France's highest fortified town.
Visit: Villefranche and Mont-Louis lie on the line of the yellow train, the Train Jaune – take the train between them.
42.5092° N, 2.1208° E
Nearby
Cambre d'Aze3 km · Eyne and Saint-Pierre-dels-Forcats, Cerdagne, Pyrénées-Orientales
Station nordique du Capcir – Col de la Llose3 km · Capcir, Pyrénées-Orientales- Bains de Saint-Thomas6 km · Open-air baths in a stone amphitheatre, 1 150 m above sea level
Font-Romeu Pyrénées 2000 – Nordic area (La Calme)6 km · Cerdagne, Pyrénées-Orientales
Font-Romeu Pyrénées 20007 km · Cerdagne, Pyrénées-Orientales- Bains de Llo8 km · Sulphur springs by the Sègre gorge
Les Angles9 km · Finish town 6 July 2026- Gorges de la Carança9 km · Suspension bridges and cliff ledges