We mentioned it recently during the Christmas holidays, and when we returned, we realized that this small town of less than 1,500 inhabitants was just incredible. Not only because of its proximity to Lyon, but also and above all because of the wealth it offers. In fact, we could go back once a week and still find ourselves discovering new things.
Pérouges, a jewel in the crown of the Rhône-Alpes region
©Perouges Bugey Tourisme
The village, perched on its promontory with its houses nestled together like a snail, sets the scene. Even without mentioning the years of construction or the buildings to visit, the village as a whole is striking. But it is when you enter it that you discover a real treasure… of stones! Here, rock is omnipresent, from floor to ceiling. But you have to admit that stone alone is a little dreary, so the villagers have adopted the rose as the other symbol of their town. There is even a “Rose de Pérouges,” if you can believe it!
Then all you have to do is look up, admire and lose yourself in the narrow cobbled streets. Food lovers should not miss the sugar galette, another village specialty , as well as the 200-year-old lime tree, which is a feast for the eyes.
©Perouges Bugey Tourisme
Pérouges is far from being a village for the elderly: here, they don’t rest on their laurels, to say the least. From January 1 to December 31, the calendar is punctuated by a series of events that deserve our full attention. Coming soon, a series of family visits will be organized in February under the name “La Dame de Pérouges .” A Venetian parade is planned for April, the Rose of Pérouges is celebrated in May, a craft market is held during the summer, and the year ends with the Beaujolais Nouveau and the traditional Christmas market. Add to that a music festival that this year brings together Lenny Kravitz, Theodora, Jean-Louis Aubert, and Louane.
Nearly 80 times more historical monuments per capita than Paris
©Perouges Bugey Tourisme
France’s heritage can be found in our villages! The proof is in Pérouges, which has 81 historic monuments for 1,259 inhabitants (INSEE 2018), or 1 monument for just over 15 inhabitants. For Paris, again according to INSEE figures for 2018, there is 1 monument for every 1,173 inhabitants, or a density 80 times greater*. So Pérouges may not have the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spend a day from Lyon happily discovering one of the most beautiful villages in France.
*For the record, Mont-Saint-Michel takes the prize with more historic monuments than inhabitants, the only place in France to do so!