Veytaux, Switzerland
12th century
Gruyères, Switzerland
1270-1282
Bellinzona, Switzerland
13th century
Laufen-Uhwiesen, Switzerland
9th century AD
Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland
1200-1220
Thun, Switzerland
1180-1190
Nyon, Switzerland
13th century
Neuchâtel, Switzerland
11th century
Oberhofen am Thunersee, Switzerland
c. 1200
Bellinzona, Switzerland
14th century
Spiez, Switzerland
12th century
Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland
1260-1270
Grandson, Switzerland
13th century
Aigle, Switzerland
13th century
Lenzburg, Switzerland
c. 1100
Estavayer-le-Lac, Switzerland
1392
Seengen, Switzerland
12th century
Sargans, Switzerland
1282
Regensberg, Switzerland
13th century
Bulle, Switzerland
1230s
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.