Foix Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Foix

View of Chateau de Foix in Lazema area

Flag	Coat of arms

Foix

Location in France

Foix

Location in Occitanie

Country

Foix

Pays Foix-Varilhes

Area

19.32 km² (7.46 sq mi)

Population

(2014)

9,721

• Density

503.16/km² (1,303.2/sq mi)

Fuxéen

• Summer (DST)

INSEE/Postal code

09122 /09000

Elevation

358–933 m (1,175–3,061 ft)
(avg. 400 m or 1,300 ft)

Website

www.mairie-foix.fr

¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Foix (Occitan: Fois; Catalan: Foix) is a town in southwestern France. It used to be the main city of the County of Foix. Today, it is the capital (called a "préfecture") of the Ariège department in the Occitanie region.

Foix is located south of Toulouse, close to the border with Spain and Andorra. It is the second-largest town in its department, after Pamiers. Foix is also the smallest capital city (préfecture) in all of France, based on its population.

History of Foix
Geography of Foix
- Climate in Foix
Population of Foix
Administration of Foix
- Sister Cities
Places to Visit in Foix
Gallery
Related pages
See also

History of Foix

Château des Comtes de Foix

The Romans built a strong fort on the rocky hill where the famous Château de Foix castle now stands. This castle overlooks the town. The town of Foix likely started around a small church built by Charlemagne.

This church later became the Abbey of Saint Volusianus in the year 849. The area where the department is today was once part of the old County of Foix.

Geography of Foix

Foix is located at the base of the Pyrenees mountains in southern France. It sits where two rivers, the Ariège and the Arget, meet. Foix is about 83 kilometers (52 miles) south of Toulouse.

The town covers an area of about 19.3 square kilometers (7.5 square miles). Its average height above sea level is 646 meters (2,119 feet). At the town hall, the height is 380 meters (1,247 feet).

Foix is surrounded by several other towns. These include Arabaux, Cos, Crampagna, Ferrières-sur-Ariège, Ganac, Montgaillard, Pradières, Saint-Jean-de-Verges, Saint-Pierre-de-Rivière, and Vernajoul.

Climate in Foix

Foix has an Oceanic climate with mild summers. This type of climate is known as Cfb in the Köppen climate classification system.

Population of Foix

The people who live in Foix are called Fuxéens (for men) and Fuxéennes (for women) in French.

In 2014, Foix had a population of 9,721 people. This means there were about 503 inhabitants per square kilometer.

Evolution of the population in Foix

Foix and five nearby towns form the "urban area" of Foix. In 2013, this area had 14,552 people and covered 75.8 square kilometers (29.3 square miles). This urban area is the center of the larger "metropolitan area" of Foix. This bigger area includes 17 towns, with 18,406 people and an area of 213.0 square kilometers (82.2 square miles) in 2013.

Administration of Foix

Foix is the "préfecture" (capital city) of the Ariège department. It is also the main town of the arrondissement of Foix. An arrondissement is like a district within a department. Foix is also the administrative center (called a chef-lieu) of the canton of Foix. A canton is a smaller area used for elections. In 2014, the canton of Foix had 13,700 people.

Foix is part of a group of towns that work together, called an "intercommunality." This group is named Pays Foix-Varilhes.

Sister Cities

Foix has special partnerships with other cities around the world. These are called "twinned" or "partner" towns.

Lleida, Spain
Andorra la Vella, Andorra

Places to Visit in Foix

The most important historical building is the Castle of the Counts of Foix, often just called Castle of Foix. It sits high on a rocky hill, looking over the city.
The old town of Foix has narrow streets and traditional houses. It's a great place to explore.
The Saint-Volusien Abbey is another historic site. An abbey is a type of monastery, a place where monks or nuns live.
The Villote (meaning "small town") was an open space outside the city walls in the Middle Ages. It was built around 1330.