Nontron (; ) is a commune in the Dordogne department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in southwestern France.
History The name Nontron probably derives from the Gallo-Roman personal name Nantironius.Nontronh , Le nom occitan des communes du Périgord Over time, the placename has been spelt Natadun, Nattun, Nantrun and Nontroun, before the current Nontron.Histoire de Nontron , official website of Nontron, accessed 20 January 2021.
The town was probably founded around 1100 BC and has been invaded or sacked several times, including by Saracens in the eighth century. In the Hundred Years' War, Nontron was besieged several times, sitting on the border between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of France. In 1800, after the French Revolution, it became a subprefecture of the department of the Dordogne.Historique de la Dordogne, SPLAF
The town's railway station served passengers between 1883 and 1940, continuing to handle freight until 1975.La gare , official website of Nontron, accessed 20 January 2021. The town is known for producing a type of folding knife, known as the Nontron knife.
Population
See also Communes of the Dordogne department The Soufflaculs of Nontron Nontron knife
References
Lapouge, Herve. Anciennes demures du Périgord.