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The earliest known document of Onsenoort Castle dates from 1286. The first castle was badly damaged and restored before 1372 in the border wars between local landlords. After it was changed hands several times the castle was again destroyed by French army in 1787. Today on the keep remains of a medieval castle. Current buildings were mainly built or restored in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
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.