Tradition: French Mythology
Alternative Names: Nuton, Nuiton, Nuto, Nutons, Nuton
Category: Dwarf
The Myth
Nutons were mischievous nocturnal dwarfs who lived mainly in caves throughout Wallonia and the Ardennes, including the mountainous regions along the borders of Belgium, France, and Luxembourg. They were small, secretive beings who preferred the darkness of their underground homes and were known for their strange habits and practical skills.
Although Nutons had a reputation for being sullen and unsociable, they were remarkably helpful when treated properly. People traditionally left broken objects at the entrances of their caves together with a small treat. During the night, the Nutons would take the food and repair the damaged object, so that by morning it could be found restored. Their curses, however, were feared throughout the Ardennes, and the little dwarfs were not creatures to anger. One tale tells of a family that failed to work hard enough to harvest their fields before a storm. A Nuton cursed them for their laziness, and the coming storm destroyed their entire harvest.
The Nutons were believed to have been known for centuries. An early medieval account associated with Gervasius of Tilbury is said to describe tiny beings dressed in rags and scarcely half an inch tall. Their reputation survived in the folklore of the Ardennes, where they remained mysterious cave-dwelling dwarfs who could either reward people with their hidden skills or punish those who earned their displeasure.
Sources
“Nuton.” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). Accessed October 4, 2026. https://www.bestiary.us/nuton