Destination with a strong historical capital, Foix is one of those endearing cities for which it is easy to fall in love. Exciting, cultural, lively and conducive to escape, Foix, the smallest prefecture in France, invites its visitors to a perfect journey through time.
"I'm going to Foix for my holidays!".... That's a sentence you haven't heard very often, has it? And yet, the many attractions of this historic city are wrongly underestimated. Located at the foot of the Pyrenees, in the heart of the Ariège, but also at the gates of Andorra, the Cathar country and Toulouse, Foix is one of the essential destinations in the South-West region. Medieval, this small village surrounded by mountains was erected as a county town in the 12th century. At the confluence of the Ariège and Arget rivers, Foix is full of treasures and reveals splendid residences with colourful façades, as well as magnificent wooden half-timbered houses adorned with flags, along its medieval streets. But if Foix is so famous, it is above all because of his castle. Proudly set up above the city, Château de Foix is one of the most beautiful witnesses of the city's anchoring in regional history. Fuxéens and holidaymakers passing through have eyes only for him because he is so high and majestic. Planted with three towers (one round and two square), this 11th century castle offers from its high battlements a breathtaking view over the entire valley below and the Pyrenees mountains. A strategically located fortress, this defensive building perched at the top of a limestone rock was at the time the residence of Gaston Fébus, the last Earl of Foix (14th century), before becoming a prison during the 17th century, as shown by the many inscriptions engraved in the rock that you can discover during this visit. At its feet, the dwellings are high, cosy or old, planted with beds of colourful and climbing flowers, perfect for a bucolic break to discover the pretty alleys that meander through Foix. The Saint-Volusion church in the southern Gothic style (12th century), the historic centre and its many covered passages, fountains and gardens are added to the list of places not to be missed during your stay.
Traditional, Foix is also known to epicureans for its generous cuisine. To get a good overview, let's go to the market that is held on Fridays in Les Allées de Villote. On the stalls, olives, cheeses, oils, sun-drenched fruits and vegetables, sausages, foie gras, honey and Saint-Paterne of the sisters of Notre-Dame-du-Pesquié Abbey will surely delight you.
Finally, it is by going to the heights of the city that Foix will give you its most beautiful views: for that, nothing beats letting you be tempted by the ascent of Mont-Saint-Sauveur. Well known to visitors to Foix, this walk will allow you to contemplate a breathtaking panorama on the pink roofs of the city nestled in the heart of the mountains. A green city, undeniably open to nature, Foix will charm adventure fans and the most sporty holidaymakers. Canyoning, caving, hiking, fishing, hydrospeed, canoeing, kayaking, paragliding... The mosaic of activities is wide in Foix, and you will have enough to satisfy all your desires. 6 kilometres north of the city, we advise you to go to the magnificent underground river of Labouiche: this river located 60 metres underground (the longest in Europe) will reveal its galleries, stalactites and stalagmites in the heart of a classified and protected site.
