Castets-en-Dorthe, France
16th century
Montigny-en-Ostrevent, France
c. 1130
Saint-Dizant-du-Gua, France
c. 1480
Saint-Christophe-le-Jajolet, France
18th century
Calais, France
1677-1679
Mont-l'Évêque, France
16th century
Salles-la-Source, France
13th century
Gilette, France
13th century
Étampes, France
1130-1150
Alrance, France
15th century
Saint-Julien-du-Tournel, France
13th century
Espalion, France
11th century
Loubens-Lauragais, France
15th century
Fléville-devant-Nancy, France
1533
Scherwiller, France
1293
Argentan, France
14th century
Niedersteinbach, France
13th century
Médavy, France
1705-1724
Altier, France
1498
Suresnes, France
1841
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.