Durdat-Larequille offers different points of interest for planning a trip: water infrastructure and fishing, a longer circular hike, and places associated with local traditions. The details on the duration and difficulty of the PR25 help you gauge what a day’s hike involves; bodies of water and local history provide additional themes for your stay.
Barrage des Gannes and Étang de Montmurier
The present-day Barrage des Gannes was built between 1905 and 1907 and began operating in 1908. It continues to serve as a drinking water reservoir for the residents of Commentry. The reservoir holds 1,400,000 mÂł of water and covers an area of 16 hectares.
Public fishing is permitted at the Barrage des Gannes with a valid departmental fishing permit. The Étang de Montmurier is located in the communes of Durdat-Larequille and Villebret and has long been a meeting place for anglers from the surrounding area. Fishing therefore offers two distinct points of interest: an explicitly mentioned fishing opportunity at the barrage and a longstanding local angling tradition at the étang.
Trails, structures and traditions
La voie romaine traces part of the 35-kilometre course of the Aqueduc du Viviers between Bois du Quartier and NĂ©ris. The route therefore follows part of the aqueduct, not its entire length. Anyone interested in historic infrastructure will find a local connection here to a structure whose route extends beyond Durdat-Larequille.
The Fontaine Saint Martial is beside a hiking trail, a few metres from the main exit of the village church. Pilgrims and local residents attributed healing properties for various skin conditions to the fountain. This should be understood as a local tradition: the properties are reported as they were attributed in the past, not as a medical effect.
The Rocher de la Baleine is also associated with a local tradition. According to local historical accounts, it was the site of folk customs until comparatively recently. The Rocher de la Baleine is not accessible for walks. This restriction is important to bear in mind when planning if you are looking for walkable trails, rather than just historical sites.
Hiking with the time required in mind
The PR25: Les 2 clochers: entre Tigoulet et Gannes is an 18-kilometre circular route. It is listed as taking 4 hours and 45 minutes, and its orange difficulty rating is “fairly difficult”. The distance, estimated time and rating give you several concrete points of reference for deciding whether this hike fits into your stay. With the stated duration, it is a longer hiking option, not a short walk to fit in between activities.
The car park for the PR25 is opposite the Larequille town hall. Another opportunity to go hiking is offered by the Foyer Rural de Durdat-Larequille, which organises a monthly walk with volunteer guides, weather permitting. This monthly, weather-dependent arrangement offers a different planning option from the marked circular route.
Plan your journey and accommodation
Durdat-Larequille lies at the junction of the two major local roads, the D 2144 and the D 69. Regional bus line B07 also serves the village. If you plan to travel by bus, check the timetable for your travel date. When looking for a holiday rental, you could first consider whether you would rather spend your days on the longer PR25, fishing, or exploring the local structures and traditions.
Discover more destinations: Treignat, Saint-Germain-De-Salles, La Ferté-Hauterive, Mercy, Lavault-Sainte-Anne, Montmarault, Paray-Le-Frésil, Saint-Prix.
For the broader travel overview: Allier.
