Paris, France
1763
Bordeaux, France
1730-1775
Saint-Émilion, France
12th century
Lyon, France
0-100 BC
Nancy, France
1756
Bordeaux, France
1820
Èze, France
14th century
Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France
Middle Ages
Tours, France
Yvoire, France
14th century
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, France
806 AD
Bordeaux, France
18th century
Guérande, France
15th century
Minerve, France
9th century AD
La Couvertoirade, France
12th century
Chartres, France
9th century
Ainhoa, France
11th century
Vichy, France
17th century
Tarn, France
10th century AD
Gorges du Tarn Causses, France
7th century AD
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.