Bern, Switzerland
1421
Geneva, Switzerland
c. 1160
Basel, Switzerland
12th century
Lausanne, Switzerland
1170-1275
St. Gallen, Switzerland
747 AD
Solothurn, Switzerland
1772-1773
Sion, Switzerland
11th century
Fribourg, Switzerland
1283
Lugano, Switzerland
15th century
Chur, Switzerland
1154-1270
Arlesheim, Switzerland
1680-1681
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.