Bordeaux, France
1801
Lens, France
2012
Tours, France
1910
Cannes, France
1035
Quimper, France
Mulhouse, France
1969
Nice, France
1963
Saint-Tropez, France
1922
Arles, France
1868
Marseille, France
1983
Rouen, France
1801
Saumur, France
Saint-Nazaire, France
1941
Beauvais, France
1981
Bordeaux, France
1963
Montpellier, France
1825
Metz, France
1839
Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, France
1960
Caen, France
1989
Arles, France
1995
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.