Arles, France
90 AD
Arles, France
90 AD
Paris, France
c. 200 AD
Nîmes, France
70 AD
Arles, France
300-400 AD
Arles, France
0-100 BC
Orange, France
1st century AD
Vers-Pont-du-Gard, France
40-60 AD
Arles, France
300-400 AD
Lyon, France
0-100 BC
Nîmes, France
4-7 AD
Nice, France
0-100 AD
Reims, France
200-300 AD
Lyon, France
15 BC
Le Mans, France
300 AD
Paris, France
0-100 AD
Metz, France
1839
Nîmes, France
100-200 AD
Nîmes, France
0-200 AD
Carpentras, France
1st century 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.