Foix castle

In the form of a workshop held by our medieval characters, you will familiarize yourself with the weapons of war from the time of Fébus: the bow and the crossbow. It is matter of prestige, speed shooting, materials, anecdotes battlefield ... and many other things!

Located at the foot of the famous round tower which is the pride of the counts and of the Château, you will discover the secrets of medieval builders: knotted rope, mallet and chisel, jobber's marks and so many other things! The walls have not finished speaking to you.

During this workshop, it will be about iron, fire and hammer… all with noise and smell! In this veritable medieval forge, the bellows are activated, the iron is heated and the instruments are shaped which will then be used by the stonemason or the crossbowman.

Visit the interiors of this castle and evolve in the heart of the Middle Ages... and it's not just an empty promise!

While strolling in the castle, one can believe that the famous Gaston Fébus and his court still occupy the places! In each room, furniture, seats, tables, beds and weapons are installed to give it all its splendor of yesteryear. Each more realistic than the next, they are made to measure, after a long work of archival research and inventory of the various known medieval collections.

Among the rooms that you will be able to discover are the large ceremonial room, the count's bedroom, the weapons room, the scriptorium, the dungeon ...

An olfactory atmosphere unfolds in each room, for example, allowing you to recognize the odors of grain, candles or that of the grease of weapons.

To accentuate this immersion, you can even sit on the cathedral (the throne) of the count, the time of a totally anachronistic selfie!

If the immersion is complete inside the walls of the medieval fortress, the terraces are not left out!

Come and discover exceptional war machines, such as the trebuchet or the stony ground and an impressive drum winch, very useful for the works of the counts.

These machines, scale 1, were built during the summer of 2018, under the eyes of visitors, with the techniques and tools of the time.

The immense trebuchet, with its 16 meters high, is a siege machine that allowed to send balls of 100 kg to more than 200 meters. At his side, the stone seems more frail but remains terribly effective allowing a rapid defense, at the rate of one shot per minute. The drum winch, also called a “squirrel cage”, is installed between two towers of the castle. Lifting device, its principle is simple: one takes place inside and while walking, the multiplication of the forces makes it possible to hoist stone blocks weighing up to one ton.

These machines, visible every day, are brought to life during workshops that explain their history and their usefulness… it even seems that you can be used as labor!

Symbol of the fame of Gaston Fébus, the Book of the Hunt is devoted to the passion of his life and remains forever attached to the memory of this great prince. Enter the dark room, a large illuminated book awaits you. Touch the pages and find yourself immersed in the center of immersive scenes straight from the illustrations in the book. 

The Book of the Hunt comes to life. The animals move through the foliage that grows visibly, the birds sing and flutter between the branches. Everywhere the beauty of medieval illustrations is amplified by movement, sound, depth and play of light. 

You can, throughout the museographic part, enhance your visit with audio commentaries, all for free with your admission ticket. This tour companion is available in several languages ​​(French, English, Spanish, Catalan, Dutch or even German). 

To benefit from it, the procedure is simple: using your smartphone, simply connect to the museum's private network and, in each room, tag the “find out more” signs.

Are there reduced rates at Château de Foix?

Our Packs
Discover our different packs and visit our sites at reduced prices!

Families
The 'Family Pass' entitles you to 2 adult tickets + 2 child tickets at only € 40 (additional child: + € 6,90).

Children
Children under 5 get free, those between 5 and 17 get a reduced rate of € 9.

students
Students under 26 benefit from a reduced rate of € 10.

Disabled visitor
Anyone with a disability who has a disability card benefits from a 20% discount applicable on the base rate. The companion of a person in a wheelchair is free. Please note that some areas of the Château are difficult to access, see section Accessibility.

How long does the visit to the Château last (reopening July 2024)? What do you need to know before coming?

It takes place both indoors for the museum space and the immersive rooms of the château, but also outdoors for the terraces and participatory workshops (covered). It takes about 4 hours for the complete visit.

How long does the visit to the departmental museum of the Counts of Foix last? What do you need to know before coming?

You should allow 2 hours on average for a complete visit to the Museum of the Counts of Foix.

Is the Château accessible to people with motor disabilities?

The Counts of Foix Museum is fully accessible to all audiences and wheelchair users.
The access path to the castle is steep and is made on cobblestone ground which can be slippery in rainy weather. So remember to put on good shoes and to prefer, for example, a baby carrier to the stroller.
The location of the Château de Foix, on a rocky outcrop, makes its access difficult for people with reduced mobility (steep paths, numerous stairs, sometimes uneven ground, etc.).

LVisiting the towers in a wheelchair or stroller is impossible.
Welcoming visually impaired visitors is also difficult, because there are many obstacles (steps, unspecified differences in level…) and very significant light contrasts.

Where to park at Château de Foix?

The car parks are located in different places in the city, you will find them here: Foix town hall site: parking. Many free car parks are located less than 10 minutes walk from the castle.
Passenger drop-off and waiting areas have been set up for buses.
The walking time to the castle is estimated at around 10 minutes.

Are animals allowed at Château de Foix?

For reasons of conservation and hygiene, animals are not allowed in the Château, even on a leash.

Can we buy souvenirs at Château de Foix?

A shop is present and open at the same hours as the Château on the site. You can access it without visiting, you just need to report to the ticket office.