Soultz-Haut-Rhin, France
1270
Saint-Gelven, France
12th century
Lombez, France
c. 1346
Ebersmunster, France
18th century
Saint-Maurin, France
11th century
Mortain, France
1112
Saint-Savin, France
10th century
Hombourg-Haut, France
13th century
Saint-Privat, France
12th century
Pont-de-l'Arche, France
1189
Appeville, France
13th century
Roujan, France
18th century
Le Cayrol, France
1147
Feldbach, France
1145
Ahetze, France
16th century
Montivilliers, France
11th century
Wangenbourg-Engenthal, France
13th century
Saint-Lô, France
1202
Lonlay-l'Abbaye, France
c. 1020
Sauvelade, France
1127
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.