Oloron-Sainte-Marie, France
12th century
Lescar, France
1120
Mende, France
14th century
Luçon, France
11th century
Vaison-la-Romaine, France
11th century
Sées, France
13th century
Lodève, France
c. 1265
Agen, France
12th century
Aire-sur-l'Adour, France
12th century
Pontoise, France
12th century
Cambrai, France
1696-1703
Laval, France
c. 1070
Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, France
1030-1060
Sospel, France
1642-1762
Tarbes, France
12th century
Cervione, France
1714-1745
Eauze, France
15th century
Alès, France
1694
Saint-Pons-de-Thomières, France
12th century
Rieux-Volvestre, France
1317
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.