In Arzens, you can choose hikes by distance and duration and combine them with a visit to the Église Saint-Genès or a look at the ruins of the former Porte Pourtanel. The routes offer different time profiles, so you can start your accommodation planning with the trails that suit your stay.

Plan Your Hike by Distance and Time

Le circuit des traces is a moderately difficult circular hike covering 11.8 kilometres. The route is listed as taking four hours, with 325 metres of positive elevation gain. It starts at the Mairie car park in Arzens and is marked in yellow. Between Arzens and Alairac, it passes through vineyards, farmland and woodland. The hike therefore combines specific route figures with a variety of landscape types.

A longer circular hike is Montréal–Le Panoramique: it is also rated moderately difficult, covers 22.8 kilometres and has a listed duration of five hours. Compared with Le circuit des traces, that is 11 kilometres more and an extra hour of walking; both have the same stated difficulty level. These differences give you a concrete basis for planning your time. Check trail conditions before setting out. Trail markers and car park information may also change.

Trails Across the Malepère Hills

The Sentier panoramique de la Malepère runs through the hills between Montréal and Arzens. It leads from Arzens via the GR®78, the Way of St James, back to Montréal. Along the way, it passes through the Malepère forest and by the Bois du Chapitre botanical trail. The described trails therefore differ not only in length: the forest and botanical trail are also part of the Sentier panoramique route.

The GR®78 Chemin du Piémont-Pyrénéen from Carcassonne to Fanjeaux passes through Arzens. As a stop on the Way of St James, the town has municipal accommodation; check availability before your trip. Over a longer stretch, the GR®78 follows the Aude, connecting Carcassonne with the Malepère massif and wine-growing area, including Carcassonne’s Bastide and medieval Cité. For your planning, it is worth distinguishing the section through Arzens from the wider route.

Église Saint-Genès and Local History

The Église Saint-Genès was built in the late 13th and early 14th centuries and extended with chapels up to the 16th century. It was listed as a historic monument by decree on 27 April 1948, excluding the porch of the axial sacristy and the western bay. Normally, you can view the church only from the outside. Visits are organised during the European Heritage Days; check the event dates in advance.

Ruins of the former Porte Pourtanel remain in Arzens. Together with the church, they provide a second historical landmark in the town, distinct from the architectural history of the Église Saint-Genès.

Wine from Arzens

The Vignobles de Vendéole wine selection includes AOP Malepère wines. The Vignobles de Vendéole in Arzens also offers tours with wine tastings. Check the arrangements for visits in advance. Another reference point in the town’s wine history is Cave la Malepère, founded in Arzens in 1949. This gives you both a current wine selection with the opportunity to taste and a dated account of a local founding.

Discover more destinations: Villarzel-Cabardès, Comigne, Lagrasse, Cascastel-Des-Corbières, Mézerville, Tuchan, Belcaire, Caunette-Sur-Lauquet.

For the main travel overview: Aude.