3 bedroom apartments with private terrace in beautiful South of France village classified as a UNESCO world heritage site Two luxurious and spacious apartments which can be rented separately or together to accommodate up to 13+ people. They are to be found in the heart of the medieval village of Villefranche-de-Conflent, just across the road from the traditional Catalan bakery. Oozing character and charm, they are newly refurbished in such a way as to retain original features such as marble and polished wooden floors and traditional wooden beams. Featuring an eclectic mix of antique and classical furnishings, combined with modern fittings, they are designed to provide comfortable and yet authentic accommodation. Each apartment sleeps 6+, has 3 double bedrooms, a salon comprising kitchen/sitting room/dining room and its own private terrace which backs onto the medieval village walls. One apartment features a 4 poster bed and 2 shower-rooms/WC, whilst the other has a stunning roof terrace. A travel cot, extra single bed, pushchair and toys are available to take some of the headache out of travelling with young children. Set in the beautiful department of Languedoc-Roussillon, which lays claim to 134 miles of beaches, and over 300 sunny days a year, the medieval fortified village of Villefranche is: 50 minutes from the Mediterranean coast, 50 minutes from the ski slopes, 1 hour 10 minutes from the Spanish border and 1 hour 50 minutes from Andorra. The village occupies a prized location at the confluence of the Cady and Tet Rivers and lies at the base of three mountains, one of these being the sacred mountain of the Catalans, Mount Canigou. As you approach the village, you see only its ramparts and fortifications, which, founded in 1092, have remained untouched by subsequent development. Its civic architecture, (22 thirteenth- and fourteenth century facades are registered as historical monuments), is as well preserved as its military ramparts. Within its walls, the village comprises a series of medieval lanes with beautiful wrought iron signs identifying the numerous shops and restaurants. 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.