Just 16 kilometres from Château le Verdoyer, the charming town of Nontron awaits with its artisanal treasures and unique heritage. Perched on the heights of the Bandiat Valley, in the heart of the Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park, this small town of the Périgord Vert combines history, ancestral craftsmanship, and the gentle pace of life.
A town where craftsmanship becomes art
Nontron is no ordinary town. Designated a “Town and Craftsmanship Hub” (Ville et Métiers d’Art), it is world-renowned for its artisanal knives, among the most prestigious in France. It is also a true architectural jewel with its ramparts, elegant Renaissance-style facades, and picturesque narrow streets where you can discover half-timbered houses along Rue Picaud and Rue des Écoles.
From its heights, the view plunges into the verdant Bandiat Valley, offering a panorama that alone justifies the visit. On Saturday mornings, the market brings the town to life with a friendly atmosphere, blending local produce and authentic encounters.
The Nontron knife: five centuries of tradition
The story of a legendary blade
The Nontron knife is much more than a simple object: it is the oldest folding knife in France still in production today. Its history dates back to the Middle Ages, with proven records from 1653, when the first master cutler arrived. Legend even has it that the forges of Nontron fashioned the sword of King Charles VII.
The town possessed all the assets to become an exceptional centre for cutlery: mineral resources for steel, hydraulic power from its streams, and surrounding forests providing boxwood for the handles.
Preserved expertise
Even today, each Nontron knife is made using methods that have changed little since the 15th century. Creating a piece requires mastering 35 distinct operations, all performed by hand by passionate craftsmen. The boxwood handle, the emblem of this knife, is adorned with the famous pyrography pattern, the original meaning of which has been lost in time, adding to the mystery of this exceptional object.
The Coutellerie Nontronnaise, located at 33 Rue Carnot, proudly holds the “Living Heritage Company” label. In its boutique-museum space, you will discover, in the company of specialists, all the stages of manufacturing this unique knife, from the forging of the blade to the pyrography of the handle.
Another address worth visiting is the Coutellerie Le Périgord, located on Place Alfred Agard, which also offers magnificent artisanal creations.
The Knife Festival
Each year, on the first weekend of August, Nontron celebrates its emblem during the Knife Festival. Enthusiasts and artisans from all over Europe gather to celebrate this internationally renowned object in a festive and convivial atmosphere.
The Experimental Centre for Fine Crafts
Beyond the knife, Nontron cultivates artisanal excellence in all its forms. The Experimental Centre for Fine Crafts (PEMA), housed in the majestic Château de Nontron overlooking the Bandiat Valley, is the beating heart of this tradition.
Exhibitions for all tastes
Spanning 300 m², the château hosts 4 to 6 annual exhibitions dedicated to the arts and crafts: ceramics, stained glass, woodturning, high-warp tapestry, contemporary mosaic, coppersmithing, and many other disciplines. These exhibitions highlight contemporary creations born from ancestral craftsmanship, all within an exceptional architectural setting.
The château also houses the Espace Lames et Métaux, a fascinating collection of around one hundred art knives and regional blades—a true tribute to the local cutlery tradition.
Discovering arts and crafts
Looking to get hands-on? The PEMA offers weekly workshops to learn the basics of ceramics, tapestry, or stained glass, accessible from age 15 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. It is a unique opportunity to discover these traditional techniques under the guidance of passionate professionals.
The Métiers d’Art boutique offers an opportunity to purchase original works created by local artisans, perfect for bringing home an authentic souvenir of your stay.
Practical information:
- Phone: +33 5 53 60 74 17 (château and exhibitions)
- Boutique phone: +33 5 53 60 50 77
- Email: metiersdart@yahoo.fr
- Website: www.metiersdartperigord.fr
Unexpected discoveries
The Gardens of the Arts
Do not miss the Gardens of the Arts, which wind down the steep slope from the town center to the river. These contemporary gardens blend nature with artistic creations, featuring sculpted benches embracing the trees and various artworks punctuating the path, offering a moment of contemplation in the heart of the Périgord Vert.
When street art brings color to the streets of Nontron
As you wander through the narrow streets of Nontron, look up: you will discover monumental frescoes that transform the city walls into true open-air galleries. Behind these colorful creations is Wilfried Desmond, alias Marcel Champion, a Nontron native who has been embellishing his hometown for several years with spectacular street art pieces.
Marcel Champion is much more than a graffiti artist: he is a seeker of chimeras who blends painting, comic strips, and urban art. In partnership with the municipal team, he creates frescoes entirely with spray paint, bringing a touch of modernity and whimsy to Nontron’s architectural heritage.
His creations are varied and surprising: you will find “Dragon Ball,” “Thérébentine fait le mur,” a Leonardo da Vinci fresco, and even Snow White brightening up the city walls. The artist even gifted a fresco to the town on a school wall—a generous gesture reflecting his deep attachment to Nontron.
These street art pieces create an unusual urban artistic trail that will delight contemporary art lovers and offer children a playful fresco hunt through the town streets. It is an original way to rediscover Nontron from a resolutely modern perspective, while paying tribute to popular culture and the collective imagination.
Around Nontron
From Nontron, set off to explore the wonders of the Périgord Vert: the Château de Puyguilhem just 14 km away, the Grotte de Villars with its prehistoric paintings, classified villages such as Saint-Jean-de-Côle—one of the most beautiful in France—or the intriguing rock formations of Roc Branlant and Roc Poperdu.
For sports enthusiasts, a treetop adventure park awaits you in Nontron itself, while Brantôme offers canoeing and many other discoveries just a few kilometers away.
