In 1659, the Treaty of the Pyrenees created a new form of peace between France and Spain. To secure the territories of Cerdanya and Capcir, newly annexed, the king Louis XIV made Vauban, his General Commissioner of Fortifications, responsible for the construction of a “stronghold” there. The very strategic location of Mont-Louis will not be decided at random.
Located at the crossroads of the 3 territories of Cerdagne, Conflent and Capcir, it also overlooks the Têt Valley. This Second City of Vauban built on this territory to support the other fortified city of Villefranche-de-Conflent was designed in 1679. A marked trail around the ramparts of Mont-Louis allows you to discover the efficiency of the fortification system with bastions. Mont-Louis has never been besieged.
Since 2008, the stronghold is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it is part of the Vauban Fortifications.
