Kühlseggen Castle is a remarkable exception to the rule: after a century of standing unoccupied and neglected, it was renovated and became the residence of its owner. Today the complex of buildings is based on the castle and moat of the middle ages. The remains of the gothic manor house can be recognized in the contemporary residential house. The working yard outside was not constructed until the 19th century, after the moat of the fore-castle had been filled in.
Since its last renovation the baroque manor house, based on its medieval predecessor, presents a fascinating image of a hybrid castle. Until the late 14th century the owners of Kühlseggen Castle changed frequently. During the course of the 15th century it attained the status of knight's castle. Up till 1836 the estate changed hand often and declined visibly. In 1836 the daughter of Baron von Zuydwyck inherited the estate and the castle continued to decay, uninhabited, until 1964. Robin, Baron von Eltz-Ruebenach has since restored the entire castle.
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.