Nontron is located in the Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park. A clearly defined cycling route and several distinct cultural themes give your stay two clear directions: the Flow Vélo reaches the town, while the Micro-Folie, château, Jardin des Arts and church explore digital art, architectural history and garden art.
Cycling the Flow Vélo
The Flow Vélo is a 400-kilometre greenway cycling route connecting Île d’Aix in Charente-Maritime with Sarlat-la-Canéda in the southern Dordogne, and reaching Nontron. It is suitable for families and experienced cyclists. The 400-kilometre figure describes the entire route, not necessarily a stage near Nontron that is right for you. If you include the route in your plans, check its conditions before setting off, then choose your daily distance to suit your own plans.
Digital art at the Micro-Folie
The Micro-Folie offers free admission to a digital gallery featuring more than 6,000 works from 411 partner cultural institutions. Its scale offers a different way to experience culture from the architecture and garden art in Nontron: the focus is on digital works. There are also 3D virtual reality headsets with immersive content that lets you experience the world in 360 degrees. The digital and virtual content on offer may change as the programme is updated. So check the current opening hours and programme before your visit.
Château history and garden art
The Château de Nontron was built in the 18th century on the site of an earlier fortified castle. Thus, the château’s date is linked to the older building history of the same site.
The Jardin des Arts offers a different focus: across around twenty terraces, it features contemporary fountains, sculptures and furniture. The terraces shape the grounds, while the works bring art and design together in the garden. The garden is open daily, free of charge. During renovations to the Château de Nontron, it remains accessible from Place Paul Bert. As renovation arrangements may change, check locally before your visit to confirm this access.
The cultural venues also differ in format: the Micro-Folie combines a digital gallery with VR, while the Jardin des Arts displays contemporary works on terraces. This gives you a clear choice between digital content and garden art.
Church and cultural heritage
The Église Notre Dame des Ronces was built from 1872 to 1876 to a design by Mandin, an architect from Nontron. The design links the building to a local architect and anchors it in the town’s architectural history. The organ also has its own connection to heritage: it forms part of Nontron’s religious and municipal heritage. The architecture and organ thus offer two distinct ways to explore cultural heritage.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Geyrac, Doissat, Négrondes, Les Graulges, Bourdeilles, Saint-Nexans, Lamonzie-Montastruc, Cunèges.
Back to the regional travel overview: Dordogne.
