Arzens combines nature trails, architectural history, and winegrowing. Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Arzens can incorporate the choice of accommodation into their personal stay planning.
Culture and History
The Église Saint-Genès was built at the end of the 13th and beginning of the 14th century and expanded with chapels until the 16th century. Its status as a parish church is documented in 1251; by 1269 it was already listed under the patronage of Saint Geniès. With the exception of the porch of the axial sacristy and the western bay, the Église Saint-Genès has been listed as a historic monument by decree of 27 April 1948. It can normally only be viewed from the outside; tours are organized during the European Heritage Days. Ruins of the former Porte Pourtanel remain in Arzens.
Hiking Trails
Montréal–Le Panoramique is a moderately difficult, 22.8 km circular hike with a stated duration of five hours. Le circuit des traces is a moderately difficult, 11.8 km circular hike with a stated duration of four hours and 325 m of positive elevation gain. The trail is marked with yellow signs and begins at the car park of the Mairie in Arzens. Between Arzens and Alairac, Le circuit des traces passes through vineyards, agricultural land, and woodland.
Landscape
The Sentier panoramique de la Malepère runs across the hills of the Malepère between Montréal and Arzens. It passes through the Malepère forest and by the Bois du Chapitre botanical educational trail. From Arzens, the Sentier panoramique de la Malepère follows the GR78, the Way of St. James, back to Montréal.
The GR®78 connects Carcassonne, with its bastide and medieval Cité, along the Aude with the Massif and winegrowing region of the Malepère. The route from Carcassonne to Fanjeaux includes Arzens as a Way of St. James station with municipal accommodation; the GR®78 Chemin du Piémont-Pyrénéen from Carcassonne to Fanjeaux passes through Arzens.
Wine
At Vignobles de Vendéole in Arzens, tours with wine tastings are offered; the wine selection includes AOP Malepère wines. Cave la Malepère was founded in Arzens in 1949.
Other destinations: Villesèque-des-Corbières, Saint-Martin-Lalande, Villemoustaussou, Campagne-Sur-Aude, Villeneuve-La-Comptal, La Pomarède, Tourreilles, Cuxac-D'aude.
