Even before entering the city, the imposing stature of the Château de Foix, dominating the city, attracts the eye and impresses with its height and its soul.
With the children, discover the history of the castle of Foix with its brand new museum space and immerse yourself in the time of the Counts of Foix with the castle and its participatory and demonstrative workshops.

Program

In kindergarten

Gaston and his friends accompany the children to explore the fortress.

Visiting the Castle

The museographic space

Free visit of the space to get to know the different Counts of Foix.
I discover: the Counts of Foix
Duration of the visit: 45min
30 children max

The rooms of the Castle

Gaston takes the children to the different rooms of the castle, each of which has a different function and decor.
I discover: historical furniture
Duration of the visit : 45 min
30 children max

Animated workshops

Weapons and war
Bernard presents the emblematic weapons of war of the Middle Ages.
I discover: the weapons of the Middle Ages
Workshop duration: 30min
30 children max

Forge
Roger takes the children to discover the trade of blacksmith, an important profession of the Middle Ages; beware, it heats up and bangs!
I discover: the profession of blacksmith
Workshop duration: 30min
30 children max

Stone size
Raymond introduces the children to the profession of stonemason, thanks to which the construction of the round tower is possible.
I discover: the profession of stonecutter
Workshop duration: 30min
30 children max

War machines and lifting
Demonstrations of the ingenious squirrel cage and the terrible trebuchet.
I discover: life-size medieval machines
Workshop duration: 1 hour
30 children max

Skills worked

• find one's way in time and space
• discover different forms of artistic expression
• awakening of sensitivity and curiosity in front of works of art
• open up to otherness: listen, compare, analyze, discuss, share with others

The rates

6,50 € / child


In CP, CE1 & CE2

Visiting the Castle

The museographic space

While browsing the rooms of the new museum, children will discover the entire history of the castle of Foix and its Counts.
I discover: the history of the castle
Duration of the visit: 1h
30 children max

The reconstructed rooms of the Château

Children wander through the spaces furnished as in Fébus's time, in a scientific and fun way.
I discover: historical furniture
Duration of the visit : 1h
30 children max

Animated workshops

Arms
After a presentation of the emblematic weapons of the Middle Ages, children discover crossbow shooting.
I'm discovering: crossbow shooting
Workshop duration: 30min
30 children max

Forge
Children learn about the techniques of this essential profession from medieval times in the company of the blacksmith mediator.
I discover: the profession of blacksmith
Workshop duration: 30min
30 children max

Stone size
Children discover medieval construction techniques with tools and stones.
I discovered: from the size of the stone
Workshop duration: 30min
30 children max

War machines and lifting
During demonstrations, children understand the ingenuity and functionality of these massive machines.
I discover: life-size medieval machines
Workshop duration: 1 hour
30 children max

Skills worked

• find one's way in time and space
• act, express and understand through artistic practices
• awakening of sensitivity and curiosity in front of works of art
• appropriate tools and methods
• master the French language

The rates

6,50 € / child

Guided tours of the spaces (museum and castle) at an additional cost.

In CM1, CM2 & 6th

Visiting the Castle

The museographic space

While browsing the rooms of the new museum, children will discover the entire history of the castle of Foix and its Counts.
I discover: the history of the castle
Duration of the visit: 1h
30 children max

The reconstructed rooms of the Château

Children wander through the spaces furnished as in Fébus's time, in a scientific and fun way.
I discover: historical furniture
Duration of the visit : 1h
30 children max

Animated workshops

Arms
After a presentation of the emblematic weapons of the Middle Ages, children discover crossbow shooting.
I'm discovering: crossbow shooting
Workshop duration: 30min
30 children max

Forge
Children learn about the techniques of this essential profession from medieval times in the company of the blacksmith mediator.
I discover: the profession of blacksmith
Workshop duration: 30min
30 children max

Stone size
Children discover medieval construction techniques with tools and stones.
I discovered: from the size of the stone
Workshop duration: 30min
30 children max

War machines and lifting
During demonstrations, children understand the ingenuity and functionality of these massive machines.
I discover: life-size medieval machines
Workshop duration: 1 hour
30 children max

Skills worked

• find one's way in time and space
• build historical landmarks
• associate a work with an era, a civilization
• practice scientific and technological approaches
• master the French language

The rates

6,50 € / child

Guided tours of the spaces (museum and castle) at an additional cost.


from 5th to high school

Visiting the Castle

The museographic space

While browsing the rooms of the new museum, the pupils discover the whole history of the castle of Foix and its Counts.
I discover: the history of the castle
Duration of the visit: 1h
30 children max

The reconstructed rooms of the Château

The students wander through the spaces furnished as in Fébus's time, in a scientific and fun way.
I discover: historical furniture
Duration of the visit : 1h
30 children max

Animated workshops

Arms
After a presentation of the emblematic weapons of the Middle Ages, young people discover crossbow shooting.
I'm discovering: crossbow shooting
Workshop duration: 30min
30 children max

Forge
Students learn about the techniques of this essential profession from medieval times in the company of the blacksmith mediator.
I discover: the profession of blacksmith
Workshop duration: 30min
30 children max

Stone size
Young people discover medieval construction techniques with tools and stones.
Je finds : the size of the stone
Workshop duration: 30min
30 children max

War machines and lifting
During demonstrations, students understand the ingenuity and functionality of these massive machines.
I discover: life-size medieval machines
Workshop duration: 1 hour
30 children max

Skills worked

• associate a work with an era and a civilization based on the elements observed
• understand elaborate oral speeches
• interact in a debate
• identify questions of a scientific nature
• propose hypotheses
• discover the relationship to reality and the expressive function of art

The rates

6,50 € / child

Guided tours of the spaces (museum and castle) at an additional cost.


Classes

cultural heritage.

Spread over 1, 2 or 3 days, the heritage class “military life in the Middle Ages” offers a multidisciplinary approach to the medieval world.


From CP

Each module takes up half a day; the modules accumulated together form full days. Example: module 1 + 2 = 1 day

1 / Daily of the soldier
• visit related to the theme
• shooting workshop
• manufacture of a chainmail pan

2 / “Bellatores”: the training of the Knight
• visit related to the theme
• knight's armor
• sword school

3 / Defensive architecture
• visit related to the theme
• stone cutting and project management
• demonstration of the drum winch
• military construction

4 / Military stewardship
• visit related to the theme
• stony challenge
• demonstration of war machines
• forge workshop

5 / Identity of the Knight
• visit related to the theme
• heraldry workshop

6 / Complementary module
• temporary exhibition

The rates

1 day package: 14 € / child
2-day package: € 12,90 / child
3-day package: € 11,80 / child


Program

for extra-curricular

After exceptional works, worthy of the greatest medieval construction sites, the Counts of Foix welcome you to their home! Welcome to the XIVe century! 

The visit is organized around three axes: 

  • a museum space at the foot of the castle
  • at the castle, animated participatory workshops
  • always at the castle, immersive decorations in each tower room

From 3 years

Visit

The museographic space

The brand new 2000 m2 museum area presents the various Counts of Foix, their wives, their passions, their beliefs and their daily lives of hunting, wars, politics and parties.
Let yourself be told about this glorious past, through beautiful stories punctuated by games and interactive content.
Duration of the visit: 1h

The reconstructed rooms of the Château

Children roam the spaces furnished as in Fébus' time and can even climb to the top of two of the three towers!
In each room, the decor is larger than life: large ceremonial room, the Count's bedroom, weapons room ... furniture, seats and weapons are all more realistic than the others.
Duration of the visit : 1h

Animated workshops

The terraces of the fortress offer participatory workshops led by our characters, straight from the Middle Ages.

Crossbow shooting
After a presentation of the emblematic weapons of the Middle Ages, the children try their hand at shooting a crossbow bolt.
Workshop duration: 30min

Forge
The blacksmith will present his essential profession to you in medieval times: the tools he produces are essential for other trades.
Workshop duration: 30min

The size of the stone
Supervised by a mediator, the children handle the tools and stones used for construction.
Workshop duration: 30min

War machines and lifting
During demonstrations, children understand the ingenuity and functionality of these massive machines.
Workshop duration: 1 hour

The rates

6,50 € / child

To learn more

Complete the day with a visit to Prehistoric Park, located in Tarascon-sur-Ariège!


Info

practice

  • Bus parking: possibility of dropping off children at Place de l'Arget or in the Champs de Mars car park (plan for a 15-minute walk between the car park and the castle).
  • The drivers are our guests: free admission 
  • 1 free invitation to each child in the class so that he can return to his family (valid for 1 adult place purchased)
  • Free transport to schools 09: possibility of taking charge of transport for Ariège establishments by the Transport service of the Ariège department. Inquire on 05 61 02 09 09
  • Maternelle : 1 free companion for 8 children
  • Cycles 2, 3 and 4 : 1 free companion for 10 children
  • Additional guides benefit from the group rate

how to book?

Contact the reservation department on 05 61 05 50 40.
Patricia and Geraldine will advise you and organize, with you, your tailor-made outing.

teachers, prepare your visit

Do you have a school trip plan but you do not yet know our sites?
We offer a free guided tour during “Discovery Wednesdays” in order to discover the main events and activities scheduled as part of educational outings. A Wednesday in September or in the spring, from 14 p.m. to 17 p.m. at the Prehistory Park and (or) at the Château de Foix.
Do not hesitate to contact us for the exact dates. By registration only with the school service info@sites-touristiques-ariege.fr / 05 61 05 50 40.

Have you confirmed your school trip and would like to make a scouting visit?
On request from the school service, you come on the agreed day.


Resources

To download


Learn More

More ideas for educational outings