Forest, water and archaeological traces offer several ways to explore Isle-et-Bardais during a stay. The choice is particularly clear when it comes to walking trails: the Quest in Tronçais Forest, the circular walk at Étang de Pirot and the Circuit de La Rigole differ in length and theme. The history of the Canal de Berry and the finds at Petits Jardins add to these options.
Trails with different focuses
The “Il était une fois Tronçais” Quest is a 2.8 km walking trail. It begins at the Rond de la Cave in the state-owned Tronçais Forest in Isle-et-Bardais; access is permanently free. In terms of content, the Quest spans the period from 1914 to the present day. This makes it the shortest of the three routes described here, combining a shorter distance with historical themes.
The Circuit de l’Étang de Pirot is a 7.7 km circular walk that begins in Isle-et-Bardais. As a walking trail, it is located at Les Ecossais. The route follows the water and offers the opportunity to observe the diverse wildlife at Étang de Pirot. This walk thus combines the route with the body of water and its wildlife.
At 19 km, the Circuit de La Rigole is considerably longer. It is also a circular walk; the walking trail begins in the Le Bourg district of Isle-et-Bardais. The distances offer a clear comparison: the Quest is the shortest, the Étang de Pirot circuit falls in between, and La Rigole is the longest. So when comparing the trails, you can first choose the distance range you want, then select according to each route’s theme.
Étang de Pirot and Tronçais Forest
Étang de Pirot covers 78 hectares. It was created on the Marmande between 1842 and 1852 as a reservoir for the Canal de Berry. Today, the pond is used for fishing. The walk around the water also offers the chance to observe diverse wildlife; the waterside landscape and its former role as part of the canal infrastructure give the place several points of interest.
The Circuit de La Rigole also explores the history of water engineering: the circular route connects Étang de Pirot in Isle-et-Bardais with Étang de Goule in Valigny via a small connecting canal called La Rigole. Pirot and Goule are therefore the two reservoirs linked by this route. The name of the small canal also appears in the name of the circular walk.
In the wider forest context, Isle-et-Bardais is one of the communes in the ZNIEFF massif Massif forestier de Tronçais. The forest massif is of great biological importance due to its size, its ancient woodland and its ponds. This regional natural heritage complements the specific trail and water themes with the forest as another focus.
The archaeological history of Petits Jardins
At the Petits Jardins archaeological site in Isle-et-Bardais, systematic excavations conducted between 2002 and 2014 uncovered an ancient place of worship with two temples. The site’s history took a different turn after the sanctuary was abandoned: in the Early Middle Ages, tile-makers built their kilns in the ruins of one of the temples and produced tiles there in the Roman style.
The archaeological complex also included an adjoining building with a forge. The sequence of use ranges from an ancient sanctuary to the later craft use of the ruins. This gives Petits Jardins a distinctive cultural and historical perspective alongside the hiking trails, forest and water infrastructure around Étang de Pirot.
Discover more destinations: Vernusse, Valignat, Montmarault, Vicq, Isserpent, Saint-Nicolas-Des-Biefs, Charmes, Bressolles
For the broader travel overview: Allier.
