Durtol: Archaeology, Château and Hiking Trails
Accommodation in Durtol
Durtol combines archaeological traces, a historic Château and hiking destinations. When planning your trip, you can therefore focus on different things: the history of the Côtes de Clermont plateau, a longer hike or views of the surrounding landscapes.
Archaeology on the CĂ´tes de Clermont
The CĂ´tes de Clermont plateau is an archaeological site with an oppidum and lies partly within Durtol. The natural CĂ´tes de Clermont plateau was formed 15 million years ago by a basalt lava flow. Archaeological excavations at the CĂ´tes de Clermont attest to continuous human presence from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages. The Les cĂ´tes de Clermont hiking trail leads to the oppidum, combining a hike with a specific archaeological destination. Here, geological history meets a long record of human presence.
Hiking and enjoying the landscape
For a longer hike, the two-day route “De Durtol à la Chaîne des Puys en 2 jours” is an option. You can reach it from Durtol by taking bus line 10 to the “Square Sabourin” stop or by train to Durtol station. The route passes through a varied landscape, from the edge of the Limagne fault to the broad expanses of the Dômes plateau. The Puy de Dôme can be seen in the background; the hike runs through the UNESCO World Heritage area. The two-day duration gives you a concrete timeframe for planning your trip.
From the CĂ´te de PĂ©gnu, you can enjoy views of Limagne, Bois Noirs and Forez. Another hike passes through orchards and vineyards, by old chestnut trees on the Bonnabry plateau near Sarcenat, and through pine groves.
The hiking destinations differ in what they offer: Les cĂ´tes de Clermont leads to the oppidum, the two-day route spans a longer timeframe and takes you through different landscapes, while the CĂ´te de PĂ©gnu is associated with its views. This lets you choose between a specific archaeological destination, a multi-day hike and a panorama.
The Château de Durtol and its history
The original Château de Durtol was built in the 12th century. The two round towers flanking the Château date from the late 17th century. From 1898, the château housed France’s first sanatorium, which was dedicated to the treatment of “chest diseases.” This makes it possible to distinguish the medieval construction history, the later-built towers and its use as a sanatorium. For your visit, note that the Château is visible only from the road.
A festival in October
The Fête de la Pompe takes place every year in October in Durtol. The festival is organized by the Confrérie des Talmeniers du Bon Pain and the Amis de Durtol d’autrefois à aujourd’hui. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the exact date for the year in question.
Discover more destinations: Chapdes-Beaufort, Augnat, Saint-Pierre-Colamine, Randan, Aubière, Saint-Sylvestre-Pragoulin, Vergheas, Olliergues.
View the broader travel overview: Puy-De-DĂ´me.
