The combination of architectural history and two circular routes of different lengths gives Nanthiat a clear focus for planning your trip. At the Château de Nanthiat, the monumental 16th-century entrance portal has grooves for a drawbridge; the Calvary altar stands in the public square. There is also a 4.5-kilometre walk starting in Nanthiat and a 51-kilometre cycling loop. This gives you the option of first deciding whether to devote your time mainly to the buildings, walking or a longer bike ride.
Architecture and Monuments
The Château de Nanthiat has a monumental 16th-century entrance portal with grooves for a drawbridge. For those interested in cultural history, this is a specific architectural detail: the grooves point to the drawbridge and make the function of the structure understandable.
The Calvary altar stands in Nanthiat’s public square. It consists of a stone altar topped by a cross with a crucifix and two seated figures. Behind it is a crenellated structure that appears to represent a medieval castle. The cautious wording matters: the structure is said to represent a castle, but it is not definitively identified as one.
The historical classifications of the two structures also differ. The Calvary altar was classified as a historic monument by decree on 21 October 1926. The Château de Nanthiat was partially listed as a historic monument (monument historique) in 1946. The dates therefore relate to different monuments and different forms of classification.
Walking through the countryside
The Boucle des Calvaires starts in Nanthiat and is 4.5 kilometres long. It offers a chance to discover beautiful limestone villages and landscapes with lovely viewpoints. The walk thus brings together two specific attractions: the villages and the viewpoints across the landscape.
If you would like to include a manageable walk in your plans, the 4.5-kilometre loop is a clearly defined option. Compared with the cycling loop, it is by far the shorter choice; the two options differ both in how you travel and in distance.
A longer cycling loop
The cycling loop “Boucle vélo 51 km Thiviers - Nanthiat Négrondes” runs from Thiviers via Nanthiat and Corgnac-sur-l'Isle to Négrondes. It is 51 kilometres long, has 376 metres of elevation gain and takes an average of 3 hours and 45 minutes. The route is rated difficult.
For planning, distance, elevation gain, average duration and difficulty should be considered together. This makes it possible to distinguish the cycling loop as a longer undertaking from the walk, without treating the two routes as a single combined itinerary. If you choose to focus on a bike ride, the duration and difficulty rating are just as useful for orientation as the distance.
Plan your stay around your interests
When deciding whether Nanthiat is right for your stay, you can first choose your focus: architectural history, a walk starting in the village or a longer bike ride. The walking route starts in Nanthiat; the cycling loop passes through the village. This is a practical difference for planning: Nanthiat is the starting point for one activity and part of the route for the other. Together with the château and Calvary altar, these offer a choice of local history and two different ways to get out and about.
Discover more destinations: Bézenac, Siorac-De-Ribérac, Saint-Saud-Lacoussière, Tocane-Saint-Apre, Ajat, Saint-Jean-D'estissac, Thenon, Saint-Rabier.
View the broader travel guide: Dordogne.
