There are several explanations on behalf of the town. Duerne come from the word "day", meaning "day" in fact, this county benefits from the first light, given its high altitude. According to another Celtic origin, the word Duerne mean "entry" in Roman times when the village was an important crossroads of routes.
Duerne is located on the line of the watershed: the Orjolle flows into the Brévenne to join the Rhone, and in Potensinet Coise to reach the Loire.
The town is one of the highest Monts du Lyonnais and is close to four peaks: the Cret of Stars (828 m) of the Cret Fayes (875 m), Cret Saint-Jean (823 m) and Cret of Courtines (933 m).
