Nontron

Visit Nontron, Aquitaine

Nontron is a small town located towards the north of the Dordogne department (Aquitaine region) of south-west France, and 16km to the north of Brantome, in the region known as Perigord Vert.

A quiet town (and officially listed as a 'recommended detour' town), Nontron has a long history reputed to date back 3000 years, and evidence of prehistoric settlement in the area. There are several points of interest to discover during your visit.

Explore Nontron

You will start your visit in the main square in Nontron, where you can see the town hall and a decorative fountain.

Let yourself be diverted to see the art exhibitions in the 'Espace des Arts', then continue along to Place Albert, where you can visit the workshop where the famous Nontron knives are made - as they have been for more than 500 years. This is also one of the best places in Nontron for having views across the countryside.

From here you can stroll down through well maintained public gardens in the shadow of the 19th century Chateau of Nontron to the little Bandiat river that flows below the town.

Substantial parts of the original fortifications for the town can be seen from Rue de Perigueux and there are various medieval half-timbered houses in the old town around Rue des Ecoles and Rue Picaud.

Note that the square tower of medieval appearance on the edge of Nontron is an early 20th century addition, which was only granted planning permission if the council could tell the owner how it should look!

Moving forward a couple of centuries, don't miss the Hotel d'Albret (Rue Camille Chabaneau) which is a fine 16th century renaissance style building with a decorative facade. You will see other renaissance period buildings as you explore the centre of Nontron.

Attractions nearby

In a raised position overlooking the Bandiat Valley and the surrounding Dordogne countryside, and with the Regional Natural Parc of the Perigord-Limousin to the north of the town, Nontron is well placed for exploring the Perigord Vert.

Among the villages close by visit Bussiere-Badil and Varaignes, then head perhaps for the rock formations at Roc Branlant and Roc Poperdu. For traces of prehistoric life near Nontron visit the cave paintings at Villars Cave.

See Aquitaine and Dordogne (the region and department for Nontron) for more travel ideas...

Tourist classifications for Nontron: Recommended detour town (plus beau detour);

Photos of Nontron

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Suggested places to visit near Nontron, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Bourdeilles 24km; Thiviers 24km; Villebois-Lavalette 30km; Chateau de Jumilhac 31km; La Rochefoucauld 32km; Rochechouart 35km; Torsac 35km; Excideuil 37km; Charmant 37km; Perigueux 38km; Riberac 40km;

Nontron tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Abbaye Cistercienne de Boschaud (Villars) - religious monument (14km) : Perigord-Limousin - regional natural parc (14km) : Abbaye Saint Pierre (Brantome) - religious monument (18km) : Eglise Notre Dame de l'Assomption (Thiviers) - religious monument (24km) : Jardin de Liliane - remarkable garden (35km) : Abbaye Notre Dame (Chancelade) - religious monument (36km) : Ancien Prieuré de Merlande (La Chapelle-Gonaguet) - religious monument (36km) : Cathédrale Saint Front (Perigueux) - religious monument (39km) :

See more places and a map at places near Nontron