Perouges - Ain, Rhone Alps, France travel

Visitez Perouges: : gites | hotels | location des voitures | explore Rhone-Alpes

Pérouges ('most beautiful villages of France') is found 30 km north of Lyon, in the Rhone Alps.

Tourist Information

Pérouges is a medieval walled town, on a small hill overlooking the Ain River valley. It developed in the 14th-15th centuries based around the local wine and weaving industries.

The village now falls between its two medieval gates - the 'high gate' and the 'low gate'. It contains lots of interesting buildings, including a fortified church and the house of the Princes of Savoy (open to the public) with a recreation of a 13th century garden.

The attractive cobbled (and uneven - wear sensible shoes!) streets around the village lead passed lots of beautiful old stone houses - truly there is something interesting to discover around every corner, with a great deal remaining from its medieval heyday.

Place des Tilleuls is the centre of Pérouges, with its 200+ year old tree of liberty planted soon after the French revolution. There is a small museum to commemorate the weaving industry that was once so important in the village.

The authenticity of the village has led to various historical films being made there - most notable perhaps being The Three Musketeers in 1973 (with Michael York).

A visit to Pérouges is highly recommended, then see also the Dombes region of lakes and birds to the north of Perouges.

Other most beautiful villages in Rhone Alps include Balazuc, Mirmande, Bonneval and Yvoire.