Medieval Pérouges
City Tours · Les Dombes
Production: 
© 2017
Like any medieval city, Pérouges experienced alternating periods of prosperity and unrest... Since the Middle Ages, the wealthy weaving town benefited from its strategic location on the plateau of the Dombes and on the trade fair route between Lyon and Geneva.
Pérouges, a very old fortified town on a hill on the Dombes plateau, is located 35 km from Lyon on the road to Geneva. To truly enjoy your visit, I recommend—especially for the ladies—wearing footwear suitable for cobblestones.
Founding & History
The founding of Pérouges was preceded by a Roman tower. In the 12th century, a castle was built and ramparts surrounded the top of the hill. Pérouges changed nationality several times: it was Dauphinoise in 1300, Savoyard in 1345, and French in 1601. The siege of 1468 remains remembered as a heroic deed.
In gratitude, the Duke of Savoy exempted his brave subjects from taxes for 20 years. The vast majority of the houses to be admired today date from this period of prosperity through weaving and viticulture. It was also at this time that the church was completed.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the settlement was largely abandoned. In 1911, the Society for the Defense and Preservation of Old Pérouges was founded. Today, the town is a protected historic monument, and restoration work continues steadily.
