<strong>Ancient enclave:</strong> The Pyrenees town of Llívia is a little patch of <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcnn.com%2Ftravel%2Fdestinations%2Fspain" target="_blank">Spain</a> stranded in <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcnn.com%2Ftravel%2Fdestinations%2Ffrance" target="_blank">France</a> and one of Europe's oldest enclaves.
Ancient enclave: The Pyrenees town of Llívia is a little patch of Spain stranded in France and one of Europe's oldest enclaves.
Miquel Ros
<strong>The view from Spain:</strong> While the town of Llívia belongs to Spain, the surrounding Carol valley belongs to France.
The view from Spain: While the town of Llívia belongs to Spain, the surrounding Carol valley belongs to France.
Miquel Ros
<strong>A natural border?: </strong>The present-day border between France and Spain might at first seem to be defined by obvious natural features, such as the Pyrenees mountain range.
A natural border?: The present-day border between France and Spain might at first seem to be defined by obvious natural features, such as the Pyrenees mountain range.
Miquel Ros
<strong>Geopolitics:</strong> Yet the history of this border owes as much to war and diplomacy as it does to geology.
Geopolitics: Yet the history of this border owes as much to war and diplomacy as it does to geology.
Miquel Ros
<strong>Catalonia:</strong> When the Principality of Catalonia, which for centuries had straddled both sides of the Pyrenees, came under the rule of Spanish monarchs in 1652, so did its lands to the north.
Catalonia: When the Principality of Catalonia, which for centuries had straddled both sides of the Pyrenees, came under the rule of Spanish monarchs in 1652, so did its lands to the north.
Miquel Ros
<strong>Negotiations: </strong>This was a challenge to France's own long-term goal of securing what it perceived as its natural borders. Discussions were not going to be easy.
Negotiations: This was a challenge to France's own long-term goal of securing what it perceived as its natural borders. Discussions were not going to be easy.
Miquel Ros
<strong>Treaty time:</strong> Negotiations dragged on for months on end and, yet, the resulting Treaty of the Pyrenees -- signed November 1659 -- outlined a general agreement, but still left some open points when it came to the border.
Treaty time: Negotiations dragged on for months on end and, yet, the resulting Treaty of the Pyrenees -- signed November 1659 -- outlined a general agreement, but still left some open points when it came to the border.
Miquel Ros
<strong>What's in a word?:</strong> The problem was that the wording of the final agreement referred to "33 villages" in the disputed area that would go to France.
What's in a word?: The problem was that the wording of the final agreement referred to "33 villages" in the disputed area that would go to France.
Miquel Ros
<strong>Big town talk:</strong> Right in the middle of this France-assigned portion was the ancient settlement of Llívia which, the Spanish side argued, was not a village but a town, since Catalan law accorded it this status.
Big town talk: Right in the middle of this France-assigned portion was the ancient settlement of Llívia which, the Spanish side argued, was not a village but a town, since Catalan law accorded it this status.
Miquel Ros
<strong>An enclave is born:</strong> It was a small detail that would have long-lasting consequences. Ultimately, the King of Spain would keep Llívia on the back of this technicality, despite the settlement being surrounded on all sides by French territory.
An enclave is born: It was a small detail that would have long-lasting consequences. Ultimately, the King of Spain would keep Llívia on the back of this technicality, despite the settlement being surrounded on all sides by French territory.
Miquel Ros
<strong>Cereja: </strong>This is the hamlet of Cereja, within the within the Llivia enclave and meters from France.
Cereja: This is the hamlet of Cereja, within the within the Llivia enclave and meters from France.
Miquel Ros
<strong>Border markers:</strong> This border marker is in the settlement of Guils de Cerdanya. The photographer is standing in Spain and France lies beyond the stone.
Border markers: This border marker is in the settlement of Guils de Cerdanya. The photographer is standing in Spain and France lies beyond the stone.
Miquel Ros
<strong>Defences: </strong>The citadel at Mont-Louis in France was built in the 17th century to defend the new border.
Defences: The citadel at Mont-Louis in France was built in the 17th century to defend the new border.
Miquel Ros
<strong>Cross-border hospital: </strong>Hospital de Cerdanya/Hôpital de Cerdagne is entirely in Spanish territory but yards away from France, on the right-hand side of this picture.
Cross-border hospital: Hospital de Cerdanya/Hôpital de Cerdagne is entirely in Spanish territory but yards away from France, on the right-hand side of this picture.
Miquel Ros
<strong>Property of France:</strong> Just a few miles from Llívia and on French territory, Odeillo solar furnace is the world's largest solar furnace.
Property of France: Just a few miles from Llívia and on French territory, Odeillo solar furnace is the world's largest solar furnace.
Miquel Ros