Saint-Martial-d'Artenset can be explored through its milling traditions, a traditional gabare boat trip and circular walks of varying lengths. The Moulin du Duellas celebrates the area’s milling heritage and offers an educational, hands-on way to discover the natural heritage of the Isle. It also offers a one-hour trip on a gabare. When planning your visit, the combination of culture and nature watching, and the choice between two walks of different lengths, are particularly appealing.
Milling traditions, gabare and local history
The Moulin du Duellas is a testament to the milling tradition. A trip on the traditional flat-bottomed gabare offers insights into the lives of the gabariers, the historic barge operators. During the trip, visitors can watch birds and dragonflies. Nature watching and cultural history thus come together in the same one-hour outing—another way to discover the area, distinct from walking the circular trails.
Another named piece of cultural heritage can be found in the parish church of Saint-Martial: the protected painting “Christ en croix entre la Vierge et saint Martial”. It adds a specific work of art in the village to the area’s milling heritage. The “Circuit Cœur de village St Martial d’Artenset” trail passes points of interest in several hamlets in the commune and goes by the Moulin du Duellas. If you would like to include both in your plans, this provides an explicitly mentioned link between the trail and the mill; the circular route also passes through several hamlets.
Two circular walks, two timeframes
The “Circuit Cœur de village St Martial d’Artenset” circular walk takes 2.5 hours and can be done independently. In 2026, it is available year-round. The route passes points of interest in several hamlets and goes by the Moulin du Duellas. It therefore combines village history and milling traditions in one circular walk, without requiring you to choose the longer hike.
The “Boucle des Marquinaux” takes more walking time: it is 15 kilometres long, rated moderate, and has an estimated walking time of about 4 hours 30 minutes. It starts in Saint-Martial-d'Artenset and runs through the Forêt du Landais. Along the way, it follows a stream and crosses two small wooden bridges. Picnic tables are available along the route. Before setting out, it is advisable to check the trail information locally.
The Bois de Marquinaux is a 23-hectare municipal woodland typical of the Forêt du Landais. It offers another tangible connection to the area’s woodland character, while the “Boucle des Marquinaux” hiking route runs through the Forêt du Landais.
Another place to visit at the mill
At the Moulin du Duellas, the bike service station is on the greenway cycling route. It has a wooden bridge, shaded riverside picnic areas and a children’s playground. As individual facilities may change, it is advisable to check their status before your visit.
When choosing between the two circular walks, the time required is a useful distinction: at 2.5 hours, the “Circuit Cœur de village” is the shorter walk and passes through hamlets on its way by the mill. The “Boucle des Marquinaux” offers a longer outing of about 4 hours 30 minutes and 15 kilometres, running through the Forêt du Landais. This lets you choose whether to focus on hamlets and mill heritage or on a longer hike.
Discover more destinations: Savignac-De-Miremont, Sarrazac, Plazac, Carsac-De-Gurson, Salignac-Eyvigues, Sorges, Saint-Avit-De-Vialard, Lanquais.
Return to the main travel overview: Dordogne.
