Villefranche de Conflent Tourist Attractions
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The old fortified town of Villefranche (alt. 435 m/1,425ft; pop. 600), once an important staging-point on the pilgrim road to Santiago de Compostela, lies at the junction of the rivers Cady and Têt. Above the town is a massive citadel which could be reached on an underground staircase. The fortifications were rebuilt by Vauban in the 17th C. Other features of interest are the church of St- Jacques (12th- 13th C.), with a richly decorated interior, and some elegant old houses of the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries.South of Villefranche, at the foot of Le Canigou, is Corneilla, with the church of Notre Dame, which is thought to have been built in the early 11th C., and was later incorporated in a monastery. Over the doorway is a finely carved tympanum; the interior is richly decorated.
Cerdagne
Villefranche is a good center from which to visit the district of Cerdagne, a high valley with beautiful and varied scenery.
Villefranche-de-Conflent - Cave of a Dozen Rooms
Cave of a Dozen Rooms, also known as "the Cavity," was opened in 1983. It is more than a cave, however, with rooms having been converted into casemates for cannon and as a tunnel between Fort Liberia and the town. There is also a natural cave, an archeological site and a powder magazine, all of which are open for viewing.
Villefranche-de-Conflent - Canalettes Cave
The cave has numerous sheer-like draperies, calcite flowstones, a pink marble mountain, soda straws and helictites. One of the main features of the cave is a large mass of floating calcite, called the "Giant's Table".
Villefranche-de-Conflent - Grandes Canalettes Grotto
This magnificent grotto was only opened in 1984. It includes 1.2 kilometers of tunnels, filled with speleothems, draperies, organ chests, soda straws, pillars, helictites, and aragonite flowers, as well as many other natural wonders.
