Foix

Foix
Foix.JPG
Flag of Foix
Foix is located in France
Foix
Administration
Country France
Region Midi-Pyrénées
Department Ariège
Arrondissement Foix
Canton Foix-Ville
Intercommunality Pays de Foix
Mayor Jean-Noël Fondère
(2008–2014)
Statistics
Elevation 358–933 m (1,175–3,061 ft)
(avg. 400 m/1,300 ft)
Land area1 19.32 km2 (7.46 sq mi)
Population2 10,119  (2007)
 - Density 524 /km2 (1,360 /sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 09122/ 09000
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
2 Population sans doubles comptes: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Foix (French pronunciation: [fwa]; Occitan: Fois, [ˈfujs, ˈfujʃ]; Catalan: Foix, [ˈfoʃ]) is a commune, the capital of the Ariège department in southwestern France.

It is the least populous administrative centre of a department in all of France, although it is only very slightly smaller than Privas. It lies south of Toulouse, close to the border with Spain and Andorra.

Contents

History

Château des Comtes de Foix

The town of Foix probably owes its origin to an oratory founded by Charlemagne, which afterwards became the Abbey of Saint Volusianus in 849. The current area was preceded by the County of Foix.

Heraldry

The coat of arms used by the commune has the blazon Or, three pallets gules. This is replicated on the flag, and in the arms of the département. It originates from the arms of the Counts of Foix, and, as such, dates back into medieval times. It bears a resemblance to the coat of arms of Aragon, both featuring in the coat of arms of Andorra.

Personalities

Foix was the birthplace of Charles de Freycinet (1828-1923), statesman and prime minister.

Tour de France

Foix was the start of Stage 15 in the 2007 Tour de France, and the end of Stage 11 in the 2008 Tour de France.

Points of interest

The botanical garden, Les Épines de Lespinet, has a collection of cacti and succulents, as well as citrus trees, banana plants, and Mediterranean vegetation.

Bibliography

See also

References

External links

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