Nexon can be explored through several themes: the Renaissance history of the Château de Nexon, a long tradition of horse breeding, contemporary circus, and routes through the town and countryside. Two distinctions are especially helpful when planning: the walk around the town centre compared with the longer Sentier des carrières, and access to the outdoor areas compared with the limited opportunities to visit the Château. This lets you plan culture and outdoor activities around your schedule and interests.
Château and grounds
The Château de Nexon is a 17th-century Renaissance building that was owned by the Gay de Nexon family for 350 years. It is also a stop on the Route Richard Cœur de Lion. In the Parc du Château, a stream in the English style, cascades, woodland ponds and fountains shape the landscape.
The Parc du Château is freely accessible year-round in 2026; check local conditions before your visit. The outdoor areas of the Château are also accessible year-round in 2026. You can visit the interior only as part of guided tours during the European Heritage Days or on occasional tours organised by the Office de Tourisme Pays de Nexon - Monts de Châlus. Check tour dates before your trip.
Church and Chapelle du Parc
The Église de la Décollation-de-Saint-Jean-Baptiste combines Romanesque and Gothic architecture dating from the 11th to the 15th century. The Chapelle du Parc is more recent: it dates from the 19th century and is located in the Château grounds. In 2026, the chapel is visible from the outside, but its interior is closed to the public. Check local conditions before your visit. The chapel also contains the graves of several family members, including Maurice de Nexon and Adrienne Chanel.
Equestrian culture and circus
The Haras du Parc has been in existence since the 16th century and is one of the oldest stud farms in France. Its offerings include pony activities for children, activities with Shetland ponies and larger ponies, private lessons, courses, exams and rides. The Château is also closely associated with horse breeding and horse racing, including the birth of the first Anglo-Arabian horse. The history and present-day horse-related activities thus form a distinctive theme for a visit to Nexon.
Le Sirque presents contemporary circus in the Château grounds. Visitor facilities include exhibitions, a bookshop with a boutique, and a permanent circus tent. The Château’s offerings also include the Tèrra-Aventura route “Qu’est-ce que c’est que ce Sirque?”; check its availability in advance. Fishing is the only activity permitted at Étang de la Lande; swimming is prohibited.
Walks and route options
The walk around Nexon town centre is available in printed and digital audio-guided versions. It covers 2.5 kilometres and takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Check before your trip whether the digital version is currently available.
For a longer outing, the Sentier des carrières starts in Nexon: this 19.1-kilometre circular route is suitable for hiking and mountain biking. It passes ponds, heathland and woodland, and also takes in the Château de Nexon, Le Sirque and the equestrian centre. The route length and activities listed provide a concrete point of comparison with the shorter town-centre walk, although no duration is given for the longer route. This lets you make your initial choice based on the distance and activity you want.
Discover more destinations: Chaptelat, Le Dorat, Couzeix, Saint-Laurent-Sur-Gorre, Balledent, Laurière, La Roche-L'abeille, Oradour-sur-Glane.
For the regional travel overview: Haute-Vienne.
