Is it possible to restore only one directory with the backup utility?

Of course you can do that. From the gnome DejaDup Help wiki (oh and where it says file you can also read directory)

Restore a Lost File with Déjà Dup (wiki link)

  • Open the file browser (Nautilus)
  • Browse to the real folder containing the file you lost (not via any symlink)
  • Right click in the folder, between files ▸ Restore Missing Files… (this might not be available if you view your files as a list, choose grid of icons on the top of nautilus window)
  • When the Restore dialog appears, it will scan for files that are in the backup but no longer in the folder
  • When you see the file you want to restore appear, select it and click Forward
  • Review your selections and click Restore

Restore a Previous Version of a File with Déjà Dup (wiki link)

  • Open the file browser (Nautilus)
  • Go to the real folder containing the file you want to revert (not via any symlink)
  • Right click on the file you want to revert
  • Choose Revert to Previous Version…
  • Up comes the Déjà Dup dialog. Choose the date from which to restore. Click Forward
  • Review your selections and click Restore. Note: this will overwrite your current version of the file
  • Done!

Note that for Ubuntu you'll need the ubuntuone-client package installed in order for the menu entries to appear in Nautilus, even if you're not using Ubuntu One.
Also note that Mate's version of Nautilus, Caja, does not support restoring files.

Pro Tips

  • You can select multiple files at once before right clicking.

  • You can revert files on the command line:

    deja-dup --restore FILE1 FILE2

The above answer did not work for me as the drive that had originally been backed up had been removed. I share the procedure I followed below:

  • In a terminal, type:

duplicity list-current-files --no-encryption file:///[path_to_backup_folder] > /home/[your_username]/list.txt

Be aware of the format "file:///..." in which duplicity expects to receive path to archive - You need to indicate the full path to the folder containing your backup.

  • Create folder for restore:

mkdir [PATH AND FILENAME FOR RESTORED FILE]

  • Find the file/folder you wish to restore in the 'list.txt' file we created earlier (in home folder). Copy just the filename and path to file, not the date. Execute the following:

duplicity restore --no-encryption --file-to-restore [PASTE RESULTS FROM PREVIOUS STEP] file:///[LOCATION OF BACKUP] [PATH AND FILENAME FOR RESTORED FILE]

Please note that the commands will be different for an encrypted backup. Check reference below.

Duplicity Reference

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Deja Dup

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