Nontron (Dordogne)

Nontron (Dordogne) mini guide

Nontron was founded by Phoenician explorers in 1100 BC. Throughout its interesting development it has survived a number of wars and sieges. In 1199 Richard the Lionheart met his end here.

This charming city offers a few attractions. The Castle of Castelnaud built in the 12th Century and is now a war museum. The castle of Marvel constructed under the orders of the Viscounts of Limoges in the 13th Century and the Castle of Beauvais built in the 15th Century.

Nontron is the largest town in what is called 'Périgord Vert' (Green Perigord), a vast area of lush valleys and trickling streams. It is here that you will also find the acclaimed Perigord-Limousin Regional National Park. The Bois de Beausac is a large green area that surrounds this small community and has been preserved by the regional government as an area of natural beauty. The parkland has in places left to the wild in order to attract the growth of native wild plants that do not have a chance in much of the area because of cultivation.

Nontron is also famous for its knife making. The methods and techniques used in making these have remained virtually unchanged since the fifteenth century when they were first in manufacture. In fact the workshop where they are hand made by local craftsman is the oldest continually running cutlery forge in France. It is certainly worth a visit to this exceptional piece of local history, still in the making.

Entertainment

In early April, every two years, the towns people of Nontron celebrate the 'Bellows Festival' (le Carnaval des Soufflets) by dressing up in nightshirts, cotton caps, clogs, masks and, last but not least, carrying the all-important bellows. The tradition dates back to the carnival celebrations of the Middle Ages, when the people of Nontron used their bellows to purify the city air and free it from bad spirits. Nowadays, this festival marks the end of Lent.

There is a market every Saturday and festivals in the town throughout the summer. The local open-air swimming pool is also available throughout the summer months.

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Guide point	Details
Department:	South West France > Aquitaine > Dordogne >
Location:	Nontron is in the Dordogne department, in the Aquitaine region in South West France
Public Transport:	Paris 440 km, Limoges 70 km, Périgueux 49 km, Angoulême 47 km, Bordeaux 147 km. Buses from Angoulême, Périgueux and Limoges. SNCF Angoulême (TGV), Périgueux, Limoges and Thiviers. There are direct flights from the UK to Limoges by Ryanair. Air France, British Airways and FlyBe fly to Bordeaux. Nearby Angouleme can be reached only by changing in Paris or by the TGV service.
Tourist information website:	http://www.tourisme.fr/office-de-tourisme/nontron.htm
Tourist information contact email:	ot.nontron@wanadoo.fr
Tourist information switch board number:	+ 33 (0)5 53 56 25 50
Tourist information address:	Rue de Verdun, 24300 Nontron, France
Quick links to accommodation:	Accommodation near Nontron (Dordogne) - Hotels in Nontron (Dordogne) Show accommodation in Dordogne - Self catering in Dordogne - Bed and Breakfast in Dordogne properties with pools in Dordogne -