There has been a fort in the site of current Altenklingen castle since around 1200. It was owned by the Barons of Klingen until 1395. After the last owner of Klingen family was killed in battle the castle changed hands several times.
Leonard Zollikofer (1529-1587) demolished the old castle and commissioned architect Mathäus Höbel from Kempten im Allgäu to build a new one. Today it is still privately owned by the family.
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.