Arzeliers castle

History and architecture

Embed this item to access it offline

This easy 6.5-kilometer trail allows visitors to explore the site of Arzeliers Castle and the old hamlet.
This major site in the Laragne region during the 12th–14th centuries was the seat of the original seigneury of Laragne. Here you’ll find the ruins of the castle, the keep, the castle chapel, and houses rebuilt between the 17th and 19th centuries on the site of the medieval village. From up there, you can enjoy one of the region’s most beautiful panoramic views, stretching from the Céans Valley to the west to the Durance Valley to the east, passing through the Sisteron Gorge and the Laragne Basin to the south and the slopes of Mount Saint-Genis to the north.

Description

In the hamlet of Arzeliers, follow the road downhill toward Laragne for about 1.3 km.
After passing the small hamlet of Le Logis, turn right onto the trail.
At the first intersection, turn right and continue on the trail for just over 2 km.
After 2 km, the oak forest gives way to pine trees. Turn right onto the path that climbs through the woods. The route descends, runs alongside a marl ravine, then through fields before reaching a trail. Once on the track, the view opens up over the entire Laragnais valley as well as the cliffs of Montagne de St Genis; continue in the same direction to reach the Château d’Arzeliers.
Once you arrive at the château, simply head back down toward the road to reach the starting point.

Departure : Hamlet of Arzeliers (cemetary), Laragne-Montéglin
Arrival : Hamlet of Arzeliers (cemetary), Laragne-Montéglin
Towns crossed : Laragne-Montéglin and Garde-Colombe