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Foix

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Ariège

Foix - Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Ariège
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Perched on a rocky outcrop, the medieval castle of Foix dominates the roofs of the old town and the confluence of the Ariège and Arget. It has preserved three machicolated towers and high walls from its past as an impregnable stronghold. This imposing former fortress of the Counts of Foix now houses the Ariège departmental museum, which traces the history of the county of Foix and the castle through themed exhibitions and collections of medieval everyday objects, weapons and armour. This hilltop site also offers a stunning panorama of the town, Ariège valley and the surrounding mountains from the top of the round tower.

Below, Foix old town is a particularly lovely place for a stroll, with its narrow shopping lanes and pretty squares peppered with café terraces. Also not to be missed along the way are Saint-Volusien abbey church and its beautiful 17th-century carved stalls, and the Baltard-style Halle aux Grains, a covered market place.

In August, a sound and light pageant is put on at the Théâtre de Verdure in Foix.

The town organises its annual celebrations on the first weekend of September with a funfair, dancing, torchlight procession and concerts. Great entertainment guaranteed!

Additional information
Foix

Foix is the capital city of the department of Ariège, in Occitan region, 80 km south of Toulouse. The city has developed at the foot of the Pyrenees, at the confluence of two rivers, the Ariège and Arget, and the highest point of the municipality is 933 m. However, the average altitude of urbanized neighborhoods is 400 to 600 m.

Already occupied by the Romans, Foix flourished during the founding of the Saint-Volusien abbey in the 9th century before the construction of a fortified castle from the 10th century accelerated its urbanization.

Become military stronghold, Foix is one of the capitals of Gaston Fébus in XIVe which tries to preserve a certain autonomy with Béarn and Foix between French and English.

A time occupied by the Reformed during the Wars of Religion, Foix was taken over by the Catholics in 1582. And in 1589, Henri de Navarre, who was also count of Foix, became King of France under the name of Henri IV.

Seat of a prosperous county under the old regime, Foix becomes prefecture to the Revolution.

Today, the castle (which was once a prison) still dominates the city, and in parallel with a sustained commercial and industrial activity, Foix (10 200 inhabitants approximately) is also an attractive tourist center thanks to its cultural vitality, its rich heritage and natural environment that offers a wide range of sports and leisure activities.

Things to see and do

Give honour where honour is due ! We will of course start a tour of Foix by the castle overlooking the city from its promontory. With walls and three towers, it combines the qualities of a stronghold and a residence. It now houses the departmental museum of Ariège which traces the history of the place, that of medieval architecture and that of the Counts of Foix. The opportunity to admire a bed where Henri IV slept... Temporary thematic exhibitions punctuate the year. Price: 4 to 5.80 euros. Information on +33 5 34 09 83 83.

Another major heritage site, the Saint-Volusien abbey, rebuilt in the seventeenth century after the Wars of Religion. The portal however dates from the old medieval building.

The chapel of Montgauzy, rebuilt in the seventeenth century in a Romanesque style, is also worth a look.

We will love to walk in the old medieval town. In its narrow streets, half-timbered houses have been preserved and sometimes even "pontils", that is to say bridges connecting homes on both sides of the street.

We will extend the discovery by the Alleys of Villote, a district founded outside the walls of the 14th and which was embellished by the planting of trees and amenities (many fountains). It's now a busy commercial district.

We will not forget the grain market (1870) and the park of Bouychères, converted into a green recreation area.

Guided tours of the heart of the city are offered. Information on +33 5 61 65 12 12.

Foix and its environment of medium and high mountain are summer like winter conducive to very many activities of leisures and sport...

For amateurs wishing routes of varying difficulty, hiking and mountain biking trails including remarkable natural sites have been designed: brochures and information on +33 5 61 65 12 12.

For those who want to learn about mountain activities supervised by experienced instructors to discover the joys of rafting, canyoning or snowshoeing, contact +33 6 60 34 24 59.

You can also go rafting and canoeing on the Ariège, in secure facilities (a real stadium that hosts high level competitions). Information in +33 6 52 50 10 22.

For cycling enthusiasts still, but already having some experience, the cycling club offers circuits not lacking relief... Information on +33 5 61 60 66 23.

We can also prefer tourism... equestrian. Then join +33 6 37 76 90 04.

And for those who want to enjoy both thrills and breathtaking views, learn paragliding is the right solution. Contact the +33 6 78 55 39 26.

Fishermen are also welcome. Information on +33 6 32 20 47 83.

Finally, the aquatic center has covered pools and outdoor areas in summer to combine swimming, wellness and relaxation. Information on +33 5 61 02 00 05.

Places of interest

Information points
Leisure centres
Monuments
Performance halls
Transport

Events and festivities

Many festive and cultural events are scheduled at Foix throughout the year.

After the Carnival, on the last Saturday of March, are given the three strokes of the carnival spring which lasts a week.

On Easter Sunday, the trade fair (which continues on Monday) is lined with a festival of plants (market, exhibitions, entertainment).

The last weekend of April, International Dance Days.

Every Friday from July 7th to August 25th, organ concert (free) at the Saint-Volusien abbey.

The third weekend of July, festival Trad'Estiu: music and traditional dances with ball every night from 19h. Specific entertainment is provided for children.

The last week of July, place at the Jazz Festival ("in" paid concerts in halls and concerts "off" and "jam session" downtown free).

The first decade of August, at the Théâtre de Verdure, show sound and historical light.

The first weekend of August, festival Ingenious Africa: African craft market from 10am to midnight with various entertainment, Parmentier Square and concerts every night. At the Halle aux Grains, at 9:30 pm

The second weekend of August, festival History: street entertainment, conferences, exhibitions, market and medieval camp, torch parades and fire artists, monumental projections on the castle of Foix and the facades of the place Parmentier, concerts in evening…

The last weekend of August, Festival Concert on French-Spanish music venues.

In early September, five days, funfair, concerts, torchlight retreat.

Finally, many meetings allow to discover the riches of the soil...

A local market (food only) takes place on Tuesdays from 7:30 to 13:30 at Les Halles.

A second market is held on Friday, also open to flowers and clothing.

Finally, the fair of Monday, every 1st, 3rd and 5th Monday of the month is held on the Alleys of Villote.

Photos

The castle
The castle
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Fountain under the stairs to the castle (© J.E)
Fountain under the stairs to the castle (© J.E)
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The hall
The hall
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Panorama from the castle (© Jean Espirat)
Panorama from the castle (© Jean Espirat)
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The city and the castle, seen from the old bridge (© Jean Espirat)
The city and the castle, seen from the old bridge (© Jean Espirat)
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Half-timbered house (© Jean Espirat)
Half-timbered house (© Jean Espirat)
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Castle Foix, seen from the old bridge (© Jean Espirat)
Castle Foix, seen from the old bridge (© Jean Espirat)
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The castle seen from the city center (© J.E)
The castle seen from the city center (© J.E)
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Nave of the abbey church (© Jean Espirat)
Nave of the abbey church (© Jean Espirat)
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Stalls south of the abbey (© Jean Espirat)
Stalls south of the abbey (© Jean Espirat)
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Stalls north of the abbey church (© Jean Espirat)
Stalls north of the abbey church (© Jean Espirat)
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Badge against a wall in the city (© Jean Espirat)
Badge against a wall in the city (© Jean Espirat)
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Half-timbered house (© Jean Espirat)
Half-timbered house (© Jean Espirat)
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Half-timbered house (© Jean Espirat)
Half-timbered house (© Jean Espirat)
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Half-timbered houses (© Jean Espirat)
Half-timbered houses (© Jean Espirat)
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The round tower of the castle, seen from the city (© J.E)
The round tower of the castle, seen from the city (© J.E)
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First entrance of the castle (© Jean Espirat)
First entrance of the castle (© Jean Espirat)
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Round tower of the castle (© Jean Espirat)
Round tower of the castle (© Jean Espirat)
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Stairs inside the round tower (© Jean Espirat)
Stairs inside the round tower (© Jean Espirat)
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King Henry IV's bed (© Jean Espirat)
King Henry IV's bed (© Jean Espirat)
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Middle tower, castle (© Jean Espirat)
Middle tower, castle (© Jean Espirat)
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Tower of Arget, castle (© Jean Espirat)
Tower of Arget, castle (© Jean Espirat)
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Panorama from the castle (© Jean Espirat)
Panorama from the castle (© Jean Espirat)
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Information on the tower of Arget (© Jean Espirat)
Information on the tower of Arget (© Jean Espirat)
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Information on King Henri IV's bed (© Jean Espirat)
Information on King Henri IV's bed (© Jean Espirat)
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Information on the castle (© Jean Espirat)
Information on the castle (© Jean Espirat)
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Castle of Foix - ​​Middle Tower and Ward of Guards (© Jean Espirat)
Castle of Foix - ​​Middle Tower and Ward of Guards (© Jean Espirat)
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Abbey Church Saint-Volusien (© J.E)
Abbey Church Saint-Volusien (© J.E)
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Wall and towers of the castle (© J.E)
Wall and towers of the castle (© J.E)
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The castle, seen from the access stairs (© J.E)
The castle, seen from the access stairs (© J.E)
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King Henry IV's bed, in the round tower of the castle (© J.E)
King Henry IV's bed, in the round tower of the castle (© J.E)
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Half-timbered house (© J.E)
Half-timbered house (© J.E)
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Rue des Grands Ducs, with a pontil (© J.E)
Rue des Grands Ducs, with a pontil (© J.E)
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A lane of the city (© J.E)
A lane of the city (© J.E)
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The swan fountain in the city (© J.E)
The swan fountain in the city (© J.E)
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Visits, leisure and activities nearby

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Hotels

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