Fort Liberia – A Family Experience…with the Bond Family
Fort Liberia
Chateau Fort Liberia is perched above the beautiful village of Villefranche de Conflent. We have passed it so many times over the years and after going up for the first time we were kicking ourselves that we didn’t do it sooner.
The Experience
The ascent is part of the fun.
You can climb the stairs from the village, take the track up or for an extra fee you can get driven up from the village. The 4×4 pick up is from the side of the tourist office.
Once at the Fort , there is a guide in multiple languages. The information is numbered and you follow the route. Some can be a bit tricky to find so we gave the guide to the kids and we did it a bit like a treasure hunt.
The views when you get there are stunning. There are a few displays telling stories that add to the experience.
We were delighted to find a restaurant at the top and although we had packed a picnic, we treated ourselves to lunch. The kids menu is pretty standard. We had a drink of the local wine to go with the meal. This may not be open all year round so do check.
There are picnic tables and a few benches so you can bring your own food. The views over lunch are out of this world. There is also a small gift shop selling souvenirs, snacks and drinks.
Living History
In July 2008 both were listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list of twelve sites fortified by Vauban in France. Both of them testify to his architectural and military skill
As a Fort it held around 100 soldiers and saw battle only once. It also served as a prison.
Mum Tips
This experience is truly an adventure for the children. With corners to explore, history to hear and space to play, it was wonderful. The walls of the fort have been left in their original state and so the railings are not child proofed. Smaller children will need to be kept safe.
In warm weather an early start is advised to avoid walking up in the heat of the afternoon. However, plan in time to walk around the village. There are lots of lovely boutique shops. Our favourite is L’Infante that is a collective of women making the products you see on sale.
Kid Tips
Don’t miss the prisons. They are awesome!
