New commune of Puy-de-Dôme, in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Nonette-Orsonnette was born on January 1st, 2016 from the grouping of Orsonnette and Nonette. It is located about forty kilometers from Clermont-Ferrand, around Issoire, which it is part of the district.
Member of the grouping of communes of the country of Issoire Val d'Allier labellized Country of Art and History, the commune of Nonette-Orsonnette was formerly part of the vineyard auvergnat which reached its apogee at the end of the XIXe century. Today, it is particularly appreciated for its authentic charm and its pleasant natural heritage.
Close to some of the most beautiful sites of the Puy-de-Dome, the town of Nonette-Orsonnette also has an architectural heritage certainly modest, but shedding some light on the history of this part of the Auvergne.
Classified historical monument, the church of Saint-Nicolas de Nonette was formerly linked to the Benedictine priory dependent on the Abbey of la Chaise-Dieu. The site still unveils today a western facade and part of the nave of the twelfth century. The choir spans are Gothic in style, and the side porch is flamboyant Gothic. Inside, it is possible to admire a marble bust of Nonette commanded by the Duke Jean de Berry, The Beautiful God.
The church Sainte-Madeleine d'Orsonnette is classified as an historic monument since the beginning of the 20th century. It consists of a barrel vaulted nave and a three-sided chevet crowned with an entablature on remarkable modillions carved with animal heads, human heads and the famous bousset of the vine growers.
Built at the beginning of the 20th century, the Pakowski Bridge is a reinforced concrete construction that replaced the old ferry. It spans the Allier and allows, on its banks, the practice of canoeing, fishing or hiking.
Formerly, the hillock of Nonette was surmounted by a castle destroyed under Richelieu. We can still distinguish the bases of towers and the location of the harrow and the drawbridge. From the site, we enjoy an impressive panorama of the village and Lembron.
Rich in ancient tree species such as Lebanon cedar, Japanese sophora, horse chestnut, Nonette's Horts Park is a real paradise. Romantic creation of the 19th century, it remains a place of peace for the inhabitants.
We can admire several square dovecotes with a roof at a slope of the fifteenth century in the town, as well as interesting fountains like the Place de l'Église in Orsonnette with its grimacing masks.
