DAYS OUT IN VILLEFRANCHE:
Built into the mountainside high above the village, FORT LIBERIA was designed by the military engineer Vauban in the seventeenth century to protect the valuable position of Villefranche after the 1659 Treaty of the Pyrenees established the new Franco-Spanish border close by. The fort can be accessed by the four-wheel drive Landrover which does trips throughout the day, by walking around the mountain, or via a subterranean stairway comprising 742 steps.
From Villefranche you can catch the charming PETIT TRAIN JAUNE, through the Pyrenees. With open-air carriages in the summer,spectacular views of plunging mountainsides and steep gorges, the train passes through the highest station in France (5,000ft above sea level).
Estimated at between 30 and 400 million years old, spectacular CAVES, just outside the village walls, have amazing stalactites and stalagmites, and run sound and light shows every evening during July and August.
The CITY WALLS are great fun for kids.
MUSHROOM MUSEUM
DAYS OUT WITHIN 5 MILES OF THE VILLAGE:
The 7 acre CASTEIL ANIMAL PARK boasts many animals including lions, bears, wolves, monkeys and wallabies, amongst others.
Described as the Paradise of the Pyrenees, VERNET LES BAINS is a chocolate box picture of a village. A thermal spa resort, it is officially designated as a centre for green tourism. Enjoying a micro-climate, it has the first Village Arboretum in France, with over 1,500 trees planted throughout the village including some 200 different species. The village also has a geological museum with a fine collection of specimens including remarkable crystals and marine fossils. For families there is an open-air swimming pool which is open throughout the summer months, tennis courts and the grand total of four lovely playparks. Ramblers and mountain bilkers will find many superb tracks signposted around the village, and for mountaineers, the imposing Mount Canigou beckons!
PRADES is the nearest sizeable town to Villefranche, and holds a large weekly market.
FURTHER AFIELD:
The world famous ST MARTIN OF CANIGOU is easil accessed from Villefranche.
There is a SWIMMING LAKE at Vinca, about 15 minutes drive from the village, with pedaloes and bouncy castle during the summer months.
Miles of beautiful sandy BEACHES are to be found within 50 minutes drive of the village.
At St. Thomas-Les-Bains, about half an hour's drive away, incredible outdoor THERMAL POOLS in a wonderful mountain setting are accessible to all for the princely sum of 5 Euros!! For ladies, a comprehensive range of massage and beauty treatments are also on offer here.
The “Neiges Catalan” incorporate a number of SKIING resorts within 1 hour’s drive of Villefranche, and comprise:
• 110 ski lifts
• 190 runs
• 278km of ski slopes
• 1320 snow cannons
• 348km of cross-country
The larger resorts include Les Angles, Pyrenees 2000, Formigueres, and Font Romeu.
Ski:
The “Neiges Catalan” incorporate a number of SKIING resorts within 1 hour’s drive of Villefranche, and comprise:
• 110 ski lifts
• 190 runs
• 278km of ski slopes
• 1320 snow cannons
• 348km of cross-country
The larger resorts include Les Angles, Pyrenees 2000, Formigueres, and Font Romeu. At Font Romeu, lift passes are free for children under the age of 6, representing a significant saving on a family ski holiday. As of November some of the resorts are already open with snow cover, and the long-term snow forecast is very good.
It is possible to take an independent ski break here without a vehicle, as the Petit Train Jaune runs daily to Font Romeu. Additionally, a newly launched bus service will, on 3 days per week initially, collect skiers from Villefranche, to arrive at Les Angles for 9.30am, departing at 5.30pm.
A car nevertheless provides the opportunity to explore further afield, and perhaps have a day skiing in Andorra, or visit the thermal baths at St. Thomas.
marks the location of the property in Conflent
