Pau, France
12th century
Salon-de-Provence, France
9th century AD
Le Mans, France
300 AD
Tarascon, France
13th century
Rigny-Ussé, France
1440s
Septmonts, France
c. 1242
Senlis, France
3rd century AD
Saumur, France
10th century
Bordeaux, France
8th century AD
Kintzheim, France
c. 1250
Caen, France
c. 1060
Fougères, France
c. 1167
Rueil-Malmaison, France
18th century
Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France
c. 1539
Longwy, France
1678
Niort, France
12th century
Villefranche-de-Conflent, France
1681
Bruniquel, France
12th century
Calvi, France
15th century
Lacoste, France
11th 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.