My wife and I are thinking of buying a small piece of land with a lake near Nontron. We have a caravan and two dogs, and our idea would be to travel down and use it as a base for holidays and longer stays. If we really like the area, we may eventually look at buying a house nearby.
I speak French, but my wife does not, so we’re keen to get a better feel for what life is like around Nontron, especially in terms of community, practicalities, local services, dog-friendly places, and whether there is a friendly English-speaking or expat community nearby.
I picked Nontron because I’ve heard it has a welcoming expat scene and a good balance of rural charm without being completely isolated. Any local knowledge, tips, warnings, recommendations, or honest thoughts about the area would be very gratefully received.
Welcome! You are starting with a potentially difficult question.
Do be aware that parking a caravan on your own land needs permission here. Even if for less than 3 months in total during a year if you are living in it then it is a dwelling.
Before you buy a plot of land check carefully that you will be allowed to do what you want. And don’t take people saying “yes it’ll be fine”, even is that person is the mayor of the commune. Rules about caravans and mobile homes are getting much stricter. If the land you want to buy is classified as non-constructible then highly unlikely you will be allowed to park your caravan on it.
Once you have found land, get a Certificate d’Urbanisme (CU) in writing that says what you can and can’t do, and make sure it covers the question of long term (ie more than 3 months in a year) caravans.
especially if that person is the Mayor of the commune The majority seem to take their job very seriously and understand that they no longer have their own fiefdom to control but are often at the whim of those higher up the chain, but from what I read on here occasionally some certainly aren’t ‘with the program’ so to speak. None of which is said to denigrate mayors of course, I’ve spoken before about how highly I think of my current mayor/ neighbour.
Warning ! Before making any purchase, check with the mairie to ensure that you are permitted to park your caravan there, which is unlikely if you are staying there on a permanent basis, even for just a few days.
Many mayors are, on the surface at least, politically independent. And are supposed to be neutral. However many are aligned personally to one party or another.
I’m not clear if you’ve already visited Nontron, so I was wondering why you’re looking at buying land there and how you found it? Also, does your wife plan to learn a bit of French?
I know nothing about caravans or Dordognshire and Périgordshire but wish you all the best in your fulfilling your dreams…whatever and whenever and wherever you decide to come over….you will love it and perhaps try pusuade your wife to learn a wee bit of French (even the everyday basics) and then maybe….just maybe spread your wings far from the madding crowds and immerse yourself in ….wine and cheese if course!
Good luck and look forward to hearing about your adventures!
The majority seem to take their job very seriously and understand that they no longer have their own fiefdom to control but are often at the whim of those higher up the chain, but from what I read on here occasionally some certainly aren’t ‘with the program’ so to speak. None of which is said to denigrate mayors of course, I’ve spoken before about how highly I think of my current mayor/ neighbour.