Moux: Trails on the Alaric, Wine Country and Cultural Heritage

Moux is a wine-growing village at the foot of the 600-metre-high Montagne d’Alaric, between the foothills and the Aude Valley. Vineyards, farmland, garrigue, pine forests and hilly terrain shape the landscape. The focus is on both the views and variety of trails, as well as historical and literary traces.

The Alaric, Wine Country and Views

The area lies along the Alaric geological fault; its geological diversity gives rise to a particularly distinctive flora. Vineyards sit alongside farmland, garrigue and pine forests, while the hilly terrain also shapes the character of the surroundings. Château Mansenoble is a Corbières wine producer in Moux; its plots lie at the foot of the Alaric.

From the summit of the Alaric, a 360-degree panorama takes in the plain near Carcassonne, the Montagne Noire, the Cévennes, the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees. Another viewpoint is associated with the trail at Roc de Roland: its panorama encompasses the Corbières, the Lézignan plain and the Minervois. This brings together a sweeping view from the summit of the Alaric and a view across the named landscapes from Roc de Roland.

Hiking Trails and Routes

Moux has a signposted hiking route, “Sur les Pas de Roland,” which is 9.3 km long. The red-and-white-marked GR®36 long-distance trail also passes through the village. The GR77 also runs through Moux and connects with the GR36 at the summit of the Alaric. This describes both a named loop and two long-distance trails, including their explicitly stated connection.

On the ridge variant of the trail at Roc de Roland, the route passes Camp Roland, a fortified spur dating from the 4th century BC. The Sentier Portal begins at Bories Vieilles and follows the old route to Lagrasse, as well as the historic boundary markers of the Devèze from the former seigneurial regime. It then passes through Mediterranean undergrowth with strawberry trees. These trail descriptions connect the landscape with specific historical traces.

The route options include a 6 km loop on the hillside near Camplong on a mountain biking trail, the 9.3 km “Sur les Pas de Roland” route, and another 10 km loop to the signal, descending again via the GR77. The distances and routes give you different points of reference when choosing a walk. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

The Chemin Vert de Puichéric à Caunes-Minervois was created along the former “Moux/Caunes-Minervois” railway line and connects six villages between the plain and the foothills. Its route name and history add another point of interest alongside the hiking trails on the Alaric.

History and Literary Traces

The Château de Saint-Pierre has been documented in writing since 1036 and was owned by the lords of Alarico. A siege by Simon de Montfort is thought to have taken place there; it was presumably destroyed after its fall. The cautious wording reflects the historical account: both the siege and the destruction remain conjectural.

Smaller mementos also tell the story of the village. The historic baptismal font was previously used as a pedestal for the cross in the square and was returned to the church in Moux in 2015. Jean Lebrau, who is buried in the cemetery in Moux, is a poet associated with the Montagne d’Alaric, the vineyards and Corbières wine. A grave in Moux also features a reproduction of “Le Transi de René de Chalon,” accompanied by a poem and created by animal sculptor Pompon. Together, these places and objects show how closely landscape, literature and local history are intertwined in Moux.

Discover more destinations: Lasbordes, Lairière, Pech-Luna, Montgaillard, Labastide-En-Val, Saint-Martin-De-Villereglan, Badens, Véraza.

For the broader travel guide: Aude.