Foix 2024: Discover the Heart of Cathar History in the Ariège

A trip to the south of France cannot be considered complete without a stop in the Ariège department, a portion of the Midi-Pyrénées region nestled against the Pyrenees, between the city of Toulouse and the mountain peaks. Ariège, which has just over 150,000 inhabitants, has as its capital Foix, a pretty hilltop town populated by 12,000 residents, making it the smallest French departmental capital overall.

Historical Origins and Cathar Legacy

Since prehistoric times, the area where Foix stands today has been inhabited by populations who exploited the unique conformation of the territory, taking refuge in the numerous caves in the hills and rocky spurs dominating the valley. It was in the Middle Ages, however, that Foix began to gain a certain level of respect, with a castle documented as early as the 10th century. A century later, this castle spurred the economic and strategic growth of Foix. During that period, the city flourished, thanks primarily to wool production and iron mining.
Resisting attacks by the monarchy, Foix soon became a Cathar stronghold, until, in the 13th century, during the Albigensian Crusade launched by Pope Innocent III, it was briefly conquered by Simon de Montfort, but remained essentially independent for nearly six centuries before King Henry IV – who had been Count of Foix in his youth – annexed it to France.

Foix Castle: A Symbol of Cathar Resistance

Visitors to Foix today are mainly attracted by the fame of its castle, considered an impregnable symbol of Cathar resistance. The fortress has more than a thousand years of history and stands in an elevated position, on a limestone hill about 60 meters above the city. From here, it dominates the Ariège Valley and controls the entire territory, protected by seemingly indestructible walls, capable of resisting not only the Crusades but also repeated invasion attempts from nearby Spain.
Originally, the castle had only two square towers, with a 32-meter-high round tower added in the 15th century that can still be admired today. One of the square towers is known as the Tour d’Arget, as its primary function in medieval times was to control the Arget River Valley. The three towers are connected by a crenellated wall built in the 13th century.

The Legacy of Gaston Fébus

The Count Gaston Fébus, a writer, poet, and lover of battles, hunting, writing, and music, lived here. He was also a composer and wrote what is now considered the Occitan anthem par excellence.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the fortress served as the seat of the government of Ariège and as the local prison. It functioned as a prison until 1862, before being restored.
The castle, stunning in its medieval appearance from the outside, is open to the public for a fee. Visitors can climb the towers and enjoy the splendid view of the city below. Inside, there is also the Departmental Museum of Ariège, which can be visited year-round. In summer, the entire structure is transformed for medieval festivals, becoming the perfect setting for events that involve the entire city.

Other Attractions in Foix

In addition to the castle, Foix offers other attractions, all of which can be seen in a day. The town square features the Halle du Marché, a gazebo structure typical of the region’s towns, with café tables underneath and the weekly market held there. Nearby is the Church of Saint Volusien, a national historic monument, adjacent to an imposing abbey.

Visitors can also wander through the medieval streets, observing typical houses along rue Labistour and rue La Faurie, where the two streets meet at the Fontaine de l’Oie, a swan-shaped fountain that serves as a symbol of the city.

Exploring Beyond Foix

Foix can be included in a broader trip to France as part of a tour of the Cathar castles, which are scattered across the Aude and Ariège departments. It is also an ideal day trip from Toulouse or Carcassonne, both of which are just over 80 km away.

Finally, a visit to the nearby charming village of Mirepoix, located 35 km northeast of Foix, should not be missed.

For additional information and maps, the Tourist Office is located at rue Delcassé n°29, where visitors can get more details on Foix and other locations in the Ariège department.