Why you should visit Foix in the Pyrenees
Surrounded by spectacular scenery and laced with narrow medieval streets, the French town of Foix should be a priority destination of any discerning European traveller’s ‘must see’ list. What has been cited by travel writers for years as being the ‘gateway to the Pyrenees,’ Foix has played many important roles in history down the years and this is partly due to its unique geographical position.
The 10th century Chateau de Foix is built upon the highest point and dominates the city. The Roman invaders had built a castle high upon the rocks. Constant reform and additions have been added to the Church down the years have left Foix in possession of a beautiful building, which is the centrepiece of the whole city.
It is possible to go inside the Chateaux and get impressive views from the towers, of the city and surrounding countryside
The city has been involved in wars between Spain and France as well as England and France. Downed WWII airmen sought refuge here as they tried to make it into neutral Spain. It was from Foix that countless French Jews escaped during WWII when the Nazis occupied France, before climbing over the mountains and beyond into Spain.
Besides the town’s spectacular Chateaux, another great tourist attraction in Foix is an underground navigable stream, which lies 60 metres below the surface. The stream is the largest navigable underground waterway in Europe and tourists can take a boat for 1.5 kilometres down the stream – A short but memorable journey in this fascinating wet and wonderful underground world in the foothills of the Pyrenees.
July is a particularly great time to visit Foix as during this month the town reverts back to ancient times when the annual medieval festival takes place.
Another popular event that takes place in Foix during the summer, is when the Tour de France starts a stage here, as it did in 2012 when Britain’s Bradley Wiggins went on to win.
Spectacular and historical, Foix certainly starts your journey into the Pyrenees in style, where the brave and the famous have left there footprints for you to stand in. Situated 40 kilometres south of Toulouse and 60 kilometres north of Andorra, the city of Foix is a magical gateway to the Pyrenees.