In the 13th century Skånelaholm was owned by the King Magnus III of Sweden. He sold the manor to the Skokloster monastery in 1276. After the Reformation Skånelaholm was confiscated to the Crown. In 1641 Anders Gyldenklou aqcuired the manor and completed the present castle couple years later. After several owners Herbert Rettig donated the manor to Vitterhetsakademien (Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities) in 1962. Today it is open to the public in summer season.
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.