Verdun, France
17th century
Bonnemazon, France
1142
Lessay, France
11th century
Neuville-sous-Montreuil, France
1324
Saint-Mihiel, France
708-709 AD
Saint-Gelven, France
12th century
Saint-Maurin, France
11th century
Mortain, France
1112
Saint-Savin, France
10th century
Saint-Privat, France
12th century
Pont-de-l'Arche, France
1189
Roujan, France
18th century
Le Cayrol, France
1147
Montivilliers, France
11th century
Lonlay-l'Abbaye, France
c. 1020
Blasimon, France
10th century AD
Hastingues, France
1167
Gorze, France
12th century
Pontlevoy, France
1034
Châtel-Chéhéry, France
12th 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.