Ganagobie, France
10th century AD
Cerisy-la-Forêt, France
1032
Metz, France
1248
Rives-d'Autise, France
c. 1069
Le Mans, France
1229
Fontaine-Chaalis, France
1136
Trizay, France
11th century
Finistère, France
482 AD
Cernay-la-Ville, France
1118
Codalet, France
879 AD
Le Bec-Hellouin, France
1034
Saint-Papoul, France
8th century
Bernay, France
11th century
Collobrieres, France
1174
Crots, France
1142
La Riche, France
11th century
Bruère-Allichamps, France
1136
Saint-Wandrille-Rançon, France
649 AD
Saint-Martin-le-Vieil, France
1180
Arles-sur-Tech, France
778 AD
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.