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!
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.
