Montségur, France
1204
Beaucaire, France
11th century
Larressingle, France
13th century
Villefranche de Conflent, France
1681
Sommières, France
11th century
Najac, France
1253
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, France
1302
Puilaurens, France
1229
Lussan, France
15th century
Arques, France
1284
Bournazel, France
16th century
Le Perthus, France
1675
Villerouge-Termenès, France
12th century
Florac, France
13th century
Castries, France
1565
Quillan, France
1232
Portes, France
12th century
Flamarens, France
14th century
Aumelas, France
11th century
Saissac, France
11th century
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.