Wettolsheim, France
c. 1230
Budos, France
1306
Challain-la-Potherie, France
1847-1854
Verneuil-sur-Avre, France
13th century
Saint-Élix-le-Château, France
1540-1548
Eysines, France
17th century
Roquefixade, France
13th century
Heiligenstein, France
12th century
Ballon-Saint-Mars, France
11th century
Niederbronn-les-Bains, France
13th century
Poudenas, France
13th century
Sillé-le-Guillaume, France
16th century
Plouezoc'h, France
1542-1745
Calais, France
1940
Saint-Loup-Lamairé, France
17th century
Vez, France
1390
Gréolières, France
11th century
Cherveux, France
12th century
Orthez, France
1242
Pleugueneuc, France
1583
The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.
In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians.