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This ancient trading town, the capital of Conflent, has preserved some beautiful traces of its history and its status as a defensive town. Examples include the ramparts and the Viguerie Tower, built by the Count of Cerdagne in the 11th century and subsequently reinforced by Vauban's fortifications in the 17th century.

Villefranche-de-Conflent is a town with an exceptional heritage: from the Middle Ages to the present day, time has left in its stones the marks of the men who built, conquered, or lived there. More than any other, Vauban, the "wanderer of the Sun King," has left his mark here.

The fort was built in 1681 on a rocky spur on the mountainside. It guarded the Têt Valley and, together with the ramparts of Villefranche, formed a formidable defensive complex. It stood 180 meters above the Têt, on the summit of Belloch Mountain, like a king. In peacetime, the fort could accommodate 50 to 100 garrison members.

The village's history is rooted in its castle, mentioned as early as the 11th century. Thanks to its fortified position, Joch was recognized for six centuries as the capital of the "Barony," a territory occupying the entire plain. Today, only ruins remain of the castle. Only two medieval gates are still visible to the north and west, and the remains of the old chapel have been converted into a house. The church, dating from 1776, and its listed altarpieces enrich Joch's heritage, as does the 17th-century painted ceiling, uncovered in the former presbytery during its restoration. In addition to the built heritage, there is also the vernacular, which bears witness to an entire ancestral way of life.

Standing on a granite spur overlooking the Castellane River, the ruins of Paracolls Castle have guarded the deep, narrow gorges carved by the river for centuries. It is one of the oldest fortresses in Conflent (its name is mentioned in 948), built, as its name suggests, to defend a pass (in this case, a defile). It was part of the network of signal towers that stretched as far as Mosset and beyond, towards the Col de Jau. It is believed that Paracolls was the birthplace of the Catalan troubadour Béranger, "educated, courteous, and valiant, but not very wealthy." photos-pour-ot-et-bm-087 Part of the chapel dedicated to Saint Peter remains: the semicircular apse and part of the nave, a cistern, and sections of the walls. Paracolls is accessible on foot from the spa park and from Campôme. There is a beautiful view of Molitg and the valley upstream towards Mosset and downstream towards Prades.

really a beautiful place, rightly counts among the listed beautiful villages

take your time to admire the landscape

Very beautiful fortress. A (guided) tour is recommended, especially in the evening with a lantern. Inside the fortress there are many lovely shops with regional products and of course restaurants where you can enjoy good food.