Above Villefranche

I joined the walking group today and the walk took us up high above the fortified garrison town of Villefranche built by Vauban after the Treaty of the Pyrenees to secure the valley. A shot has never since been fired in anger so it did its job as a deterrent. This is the starting point for the famous little yellow train that winds its way up the valley through spectacular scenery to reach the highest station in France. It is just visible in the photo. Altogether the walk was about 13 km with 550 metres of ascent. The highspots along the way were the old talc quarry and the Roman sheepfold (see extra).