Explore the historic highlights of Dumfriesshire
Dumfriesshire, United Kingdom
13th century
Dumfriesshire, United Kingdom
1273
Dumfriesshire, United Kingdom
1862
Dumfriesshire, United Kingdom
1679-1689
Dumfriesshire, United Kingdom
8th century AD
Dumfriesshire, United Kingdom
c. 1160
Dumfriesshire, United Kingdom
1565
Dumfriesshire, United Kingdom
16th century
Dumfriesshire, United Kingdom
15th century
Dumfriesshire, United Kingdom
c. 1300
Dumfriesshire, United Kingdom
13th century
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.