Discover Nexon: Château, horses and circus

When planning a stay in Nexon, it helps to choose a clear focus: architectural history, equestrian culture, contemporary circus and routes through the countryside are all on offer. The château and park bring several of these themes together; a walk around the town centre offers a different timeframe from the long Sentier des carrières. The different sites and visiting conditions can help you plan your itinerary around your interests.

The château’s history and visiting options

The Château de Nexon is a 17th-century Renaissance building. It was owned by the Gay de Nexon family for 350 years and is a stop on the Richard the Lionheart Route. Its history is also closely linked to horse breeding and horse racing, including the birth of the first Anglo-Arabian horse.

The 2026 visiting arrangements provide for the grounds to be accessible year-round. The interiors can only be visited on guided tours during the European Heritage Days or on occasional tours run by the Office de Tourisme Pays de Nexon - Monts de Châlus. Check the latest tour dates in advance. The château’s visitor offering also includes the Tèrra-Aventura trail «Qu’est-ce que c’est que ce Sirque?»; check its availability before travelling.

Walk around the town centre

The walking route through Nexon town centre is 2.5 kilometres long and takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. It is available as a printed version and a digital audio-guided version. Check current digital availability before your trip. This route is a shorter option than the 19.1-kilometre Sentier des carrières, so the two walks differ considerably in length.

Horses and circus

The Haras du Parc has been in existence since the 16th century and is one of France’s oldest stud farms. Visitor activities include pony experiences for children, activities with Shetland and larger ponies, private lessons, courses, exams and trail rides. This offers a way to connect Nexon’s long equestrian history with its current riding activities, without conflating the two.

Le Sirque presents contemporary circus in the park of the Château de Nexon. Visitor facilities include exhibitions, a bookshop with a boutique and a permanent circus tent. The Renaissance building and contemporary circus represent different cultural facets of Nexon.

Exploring the park and countryside

The Sentier des carrières is a 19.1-kilometre circular route starting in Nexon, suitable for hiking and mountain biking. It takes in ponds, heathland and woodland, as well as the Château de Nexon, Le Sirque and the riding centre. The route therefore combines landscape features with several named visitor attractions, while the town-centre walk follows a shorter route.

The Parc du Château de Nexon features an English-style river, cascades, woodland ponds and fountains. For 2026, the park is listed as freely accessible year-round; check local conditions before your visit. Fishing is the only activity permitted at Étang de la Lande; swimming is prohibited there.

Church and chapel

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 a 19th-century chapel in the park of the Château de Nexon and can be seen from the outside. Its interior is closed to the public in 2026, so plan to view it from outside and check local regulations.

Discover more destinations: Nieul, Le Dorat, Chéronnac, Gajoubert, Laurière, Pierrefitte, Augne, La Chapelle-Montbrandeix

For the regional travel overview: Haute-Vienne.