Foix (Ariège, Midi Pyrenees)

Foix

Foix Castle

Foix Castle seen from the town

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Foix (Ariège, Midi Pyrenees) mini guide

Foix the capital city of Ariege is a fine medieval town. Romans settled here first and on the rocky peak built a fortress. Much later, in the early 11th century, Foix Castle was built on top of a rocky outcrop dominating the town below and the mountains stretching behind. It was strategically positioned to defend the nearby river, the existing town and access to the valley stretching south into the Pyrenees mountain range.

Nowadays, Foix serves as an excellent base from which to explore the local area, rich in cultural and historic sites. These vary from some of the most significant prehistoric cave systems to be discovered in the world, fascinating Cathar castles at Foix, Roquefixade and Montsegur through to the numerous renowned local markets such as those at Foix and at Mirepoix.

With its narrow cobbled streets in the old centre with their fountains, half timbered houses, squares and ninth century abbey, Foix provides a wonderful French medieval setting for a stroll and to stop at one of the bars or restaurants along the way.

The surrounding area is a perfect setting for outdoor enthusiasts making Foix the ideal base for many activities both in Summer and Winter. In the summer some of the many things you can enjoy are walking, cycling, horse riding and white water rafting. In the winter when the snow falls the local ski slopes beckon. Mont d’Olmes provides good family skiing, nearby Ax serves up more technically challenging pistes and the vast domains of Andorra are less than 75km away.