Bordeaux, France
18th century
Lyon, France
1956-1960
Villefranche-de-Conflent, France
1681
Paris, France
1923-1925
Briançon, France
1692
Béthune, France
1346
Boulogne-sur-Mer, France
12th century
Orange, France
1st century AD
Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe, France
c. 1050
Besançon, France
1668-1711
Saint-Gilles, France
7th century
Calais, France
1911-1925
Blaye, France
1689-1692
Vichy, France
17th century
Arles, France
300-400 AD
Amiens, France
1406-1410
Camaret-sur-Mer, France
1693-1696
Saint-Lizier, France
1117
Tatihou, France
1694
Carcassonne, France
14th 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.