As you enter the Ariège valley, Foix stands as a watchman on the road to Spain. The count's castle up high on a rock bears witness to the power of the Foix lords: for over six centuries, successive counts fiercely defended the independent Occitan provinces against the kings of France. The castle now hosts the Ariège museum and, each summer, becomes the centre piece of a major historical re-enactment during the Medieval days.

The three towers of the proud count's castle dominate the town and form part of its shield		In the Middle ages, the town exploited wool and iron ore, transformed in numerous Catalan-style forges. Foix is the Ariège Prefecture. It has become a centre for tertiary-sector and industrial activities (electronics and textile).

Historical highlights

Prehistory Men sheltered in the caves around Foix from the Mousterian and Magdalenian ages. Middle ages The castle was mentioned for the first time in 987. XIth century: Foix became a county. Becoming more powerful, it resisted the Capetian monarchy and fought for the independence of Occitan provinces. Gaston Fébus, the most famous count of Foix gave it its proud motto "Touch if you dare !" Foix rallied around the Cathares, but was reduced to ashes by Simon de Monfort during his crusade against the Albigensians. XIVth century: A second wall was built around the town. But the counts of Foix moved to the Béarn, marking the beginning of the town's decline. 1590: the last count, Henri IV, handed Foix over to France. Modern times During the French Revolution, Foix became the capital of Ariège.

Catalan-style forges The Pyrenees are full of precious metals. Ariège soil, rich in iron, was exploited early on. Catalan-style forges became widespread in the XIXth century: using wood as fuel and water as the driving power, they created the Ariège's wealth. Early in the 20th century, the Ariège was the most industrial department in the whole of France! More productive blast furnaces replaced the Catalan-style forges in the 1920s.

The hammer that beat the iron was driven by a paddle wheel

Ariège valleys

At the top of Castela hill stands the Clock Tower.	Moving upriver, you will find Tarascon. This town developed in the Middle ages around a fortified rock at the centre of several major routes. It therefore played a decisive role during wars with Spain and the Wars of religion. With three blast furnaces, Tarascon used a large proportion of Ariège minerals and became a metallurgy centre. The only trace of this activity nowadays is the aluminium processing carried out in the Péchiney plant. Tarascon is now counting on its prehistoric heritage to attract visitors: the Pyrenean park of prehistoric art is a stone's throw away, and the nearby valley of Vicdessos is home to the world-famous Niaux cave with its renowned prehistoric paintings.

After passing the Luzenac talc quarries, you reach Ax-les-Thermes. Finally, right at the end of the valley, the Puymorens pass and tunnel open a path to Andorra and Cerdagne.

	Practical tips