Château de Foix – Musée départemental de l'Ariège

About the museum

The Château de Foix overlooks the town from a rocky spur that controls access to the upper Ariège valley. First mentioned at the beginning of the 11th century, it became the seat of the county of Foix, whose first count, Bernard, held the title around the year 1000. The castle was altered several times, then extensively restored in the 19th century, and has been listed as a historic monument since 1840. It now houses the Ariège departmental museum.

At the foot of the castle, a 2,000 m² museum tells the story of the counts of Foix, from the founding of the dynasty around the year 1000 to 1589, when Henri de Navarre became king of France. The route mixes games, videos and interactive content. It covers the lives of the counts and their wives, the history of the county, the town and the castle, Catharism, daily life and legends. The room of the “Livre de la chasse” by Gaston Fébus offers an immersive projection inspired by the manuscript's illuminations.

In the castle, rooms are furnished with period reproductions, such as the guards' hall, the count's bedchamber and the scriptorium, with scent-based atmospheres. On the terraces, workshops run by mediators present medieval weapons, stonemasonry and forging, as well as war and construction machines at full scale, such as a 16-meter trebuchet built in 2018.

Highlights

• Interactive 2,000 m² departmental museum on the counts of Foix
• Castle with rooms furnished in the spirit of the Middle Ages
• Immersive room for Gaston Fébus's “Livre de la chasse”
• Daily workshops: medieval weapons, stonemasonry, forging
• 16-meter trebuchet and other machines at full scale
• Escape game about the Cathar treasure

Permanent exhibitions

• Le musée départemental des comtes de Foix – An interactive 2,000 m² museum on the dynasty of the counts of Foix, from the Middle Ages to 1589.
• Le château et ses décors immersifs – Rooms furnished in the style of the 14th century, with scent-based atmospheres, and terraces with workshops and war machines.
• Le Livre de la chasse – A dark room where a large luminous book brings to life the illuminated hunting scenes of Gaston Fébus in motion.

Operated by

Département de l'Ariège

Visitors per year

approx. 97,098

Admission & discounts

Rates from March 28 to November 1, 2026. From November 2, 2026 to January 3, 2027, rates are €12.50 for adults, €9 for children, €10 for students and €40 for large families. The current temporary exhibition is included in the admission ticket. Payment methods: bank card, check, chèques-vacances, cash, online payment and contactless.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is fully wheelchair-accessible; the castle is not.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available

The museum is playful and interactive, and workshops led by medieval characters take place every day. The castle is not stroller-friendly; the site recommends baby carriers.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A shop is listed among the site's services.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The site advertises hall rental for events.

Plan your visit