The castle of Foix, in the prefectural town of Ariège, was built from the 12th century on the foundations of an earlier building, on a rocky spur dominating the city.
It made it possible to control access to the valley while protecting the city whose inhabitants could take refuge within its walls.
First made up of a single tower (it will ultimately have three), the castle which became the seat of the county of never been caught.
Under the era of the famous Gaston Fébus, in the 14th century, the castle was enlarged and embellished thanks to the ransoms paid by the prisoners he imprisoned during his conquests.
When the count does not reside in Béarn but comes to Foix, however, he instead stays in a palace below the castle.
Becoming a real prison after the Revolution, the building underwent extensive alterations. Classified as a Historic Monument in 1840, it was then the subject of a restoration carried out by a student of Viollet-le-Duc who gave the site a medieval appearance (crenellations) without always respecting historical realities.
In 1930, a museum was opened there which evokes the history of the department since prehistory.
Currently closed to the public, the castle and its museum will reopen after museographic modernization work. At the foot of the castle, a space of 2000 m² will evoke the life of the counts of notably).
In addition, temporary exhibitions will be hosted and fun spaces set up (escape game).
Information on +33 5 61 05 10 10.
