Versailles, France
1682
Paris, France
1897
Paris, France
13th century
Paris, France
1861-1875
Paris, France
1758-1790
Paris, France
1670
Paris, France
1629
Avignon, France
1252
Reims, France
13th century
Lyon, France
1645
Paris, France
1615
Toulouse, France
1750
Strasbourg, France
1731-1742
Fontainebleau, France
1528
Bordeaux, France
1771-1784
Marseille, France
1839
Paris, France
1722-1728
Marseille, France
1858
Nice, France
17th century
Arras, France
1463-1554
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.