Nontron, Dordogne - travel guide

- Booking.com Best Price Guarantee
- Reserve online, pay at the hotel.

Visit Nontron

Nontron is the official centre of the Perigord Vert region of the northern Dordogne, and is well placed for exploring the region. The Regional Natural parc of the Perigord-Limousin is to the north of the town.

Nontron is set up high and has some excellent views over the valley of Bandiat. It has a quiet but pleasant centre with a number of interesting buildings to admire. To see columbage (half-timbered) buildings walk along the Rue Picaud or the rue des Ecoles and walk along the rue de Periguex for remains of the town ramparts.

The town has some interesting Renaissance buildings the best of which is the Hotel d'Albret on the Rue Camille-Chabaneau. There are various sculptures on the facade and inside there is a lovely stone spiral staircase. The house was built in the 15-16th centuries for Alain d'Albret, the great-great grandfather of Henry IV.

The main part of town centres around the mairie set in a large open square with a fountain in the middle. From here head past the Espace des Arts, housed in a chateau, inside are Art exhibitions and a boutique. Further on at Place Albert is the workshop and boutique of the famous Nontron knives and this can be visited throughout the year. Nontron has been making knives since the 15th century.

From here there are great views across to the rest of Nontron as well as of the valley and the lovely public gardens which wind their way down the steep slope to the river below.