Villefranche … a UNESCO World Heritage Site

 

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Settled at the bottom of a river bed, the town of Villefranche de Conflent was established in the 11th century.

DSC_0533 (Medium) The fortified walls of Villefranche disappear into the surrounding country side.

Throughout this town you see historic gateways, DSC_0540 (Medium)ramparts and rows of military cannons surrounding the hillside’s Fort Liberia.

DSC_0549 (Medium)Established for military reasons, the town of Villefranche evolved through to the end of the 19th century but has changed little in the last few hundred years.

What sets this walled town apart from others DSC_0571 (Medium)we’ve visited is it’s use of pink marble which decorates its arched doorways to homes and shops.   It is also distinguished from many other places we’ve visited as it is one of a group of six fortified towns that were recently granted UNESCO World Heritage status!

 

We spent time browsing in the town.  We picked DSC_0514 (Medium)up jewellery, pottery and a small sword that Shannon has been shopping for since we arrived in France two weeks ago!

DSC_0498 (Medium)One of the shopkeepers said that a Vancouver 2010 Olympian lives in this  area!  He noted that the French athletes aren’t doing very well at the Olympics.  Viva la France!

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