Espéraza and Mazamet, respectively capitals of felt hats and fellmongering, are located along a formerly prosperous industrial axis that was wiped out through abandonment a long time ago. After tracing back the capitalist origin of these centers, the author analyzes the reasons formerly associated with their dazzling success and the causes of their demise. In this rhethoric of fallen capitals, he unveils the seeds of new ambitions to become capitals once again.