Mont-Louis

Mont-Louis (Catalan: Montlluís or el Vilar d'Ovansa) is a commune in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France.

Geography

Mont-Louis is located in the canton of Mont-Louis and in the arrondissement of Prades.

Government and politics

Mayors

Population

Sites of interest

In 2008, the citadel and the city walls of Mont-Louis were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as part of the "Fortifications of Vauban" group.

The Mont-Louis Solar Furnace, is the world's first solar furnace, built in 1949, by engineer Felix Trombe. It is open to visit for practical education on solar energy uses and technologies.

The citadel has been hosting for more than half a century the Centre national d'entraînement commando (French Army) which trains elite French troops and some foreign ones in the usage of commando techniques and for enduring heavy physical and mental stress in combat situations. Nevertheless, some places of the citadel, like the "Puits de Forçats", can also be visited, being accompanied by a local guide.