Roly Castle is a château-ferme, or fortified farmhouse, in Roly in the municipality of Philippeville. The existence of a fortification, in the form of a tower, is recorded here as early as 1069, but the present donjon dates from the 13th century, and this is the oldest extant part of the buildings. Major restorations and reconstructions took place in 1616 and between 1746 and 1749, and as of 2010 the buildings are again undergoing restoration.
Besides the donjon, the castle contains extensive domestic ranges and numerous service and outbuildings. The whole complex is surrounded on two sides by moats.
The castle also contains a private chapel, dedicated to Saint Anthony.
References: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.