Château de Foix

Château de Foix

A castle on a rock

In the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains, in the south of France, the town of Foix is watched over by a dramatic castle perched on a great rock above the rooftops. The Château de Foix is famous for its three tall towers — two square and one round — rising from the crag, a landmark visible for miles around. For centuries it was the stronghold of the counts of Foix, some of the most powerful and colourful lords in the medieval south.

The mighty counts of Foix

The counts of Foix ruled their mountain lands with fierce independence, often defying greater powers. From their castle on the rock they controlled the valleys and passes of this part of the Pyrenees, growing rich and influential.

The most famous of them was Gaston III, nicknamed Gaston Fébus, who lived in the 1300s. He was a brilliant and ambitious lord, a great huntsman and a lover of learning who even wrote a famous book about hunting. Under leaders like him, the counts of Foix became important players in the politics of medieval France and Spain, and their little mountain capital punched far above its weight.

Never captured

The Château de Foix was famously strong. Set high on its rock, with steep approaches and sturdy towers, it was very difficult to attack. Through all the wars and conflicts of the Middle Ages — including the troubled times of the crusade against the Cathars in the surrounding region — the castle was never taken by force. This proud record was a great boast for the counts who held it.

The county of Foix was eventually joined to other lands, and through a tangle of inheritances the line of its lords even led, in time, to a king of France — Henry IV, who became one of France's most beloved monarchs.

Prison and survival

After its great age as a noble stronghold, the Château de Foix served humbler purposes, including a long spell as a prison. Prisoners held in its towers carved messages and drawings into the walls, some of which survive. Being used as a prison, oddly enough, helped the castle survive, since it was kept in use and repair rather than abandoned to crumble.

A castle brought to life

In modern times the Château de Foix has been restored and turned into a lively museum of the Middle Ages. Visitors can explore its towers and halls, see displays of medieval life, and — on special days — watch demonstrations of medieval crafts, weapons and warfare, with costumed performers bringing the age of the counts back to life.

Visiting today

Visitors who climb up to the Château de Foix can explore its three great towers, walk its halls and battlements, and enjoy sweeping views over the town and the Pyrenean foothills. Hands-on history displays make it especially fun for children. Proud, strong and never conquered, the Château de Foix is one of the great castles of the French Pyrenees.