Baden, Switzerland
10th century
Baden, Switzerland
12th century
Lenzburg, Switzerland
c. 1100
Laufenburg, Switzerland
12th century
Aarau, Switzerland
c. 1200
Seengen, Switzerland
12th century
Wildegg, Switzerland
13th century
Habsburg, Switzerland
1020-1030
Thalheim, Switzerland
13th century
Aarburg, Switzerland
c. 1200
Oftringen, Switzerland
c. 1200
Böttstein, Switzerland
12th century
Biberstein, Switzerland
13th century
Beinwil (Freiamt), Switzerland
1700
Klingnau, Switzerland
1240
Veltheim, Switzerland
14th century
Brugg, Switzerland
10th century
Untersiggenthal, Switzerland
1240
Gränichen, Switzerland
13th century
Seengen, Switzerland
1625
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.