Pérouges, the pretty medieval city, to the east of Lyon. Architecture straight from the Middle Ages. A preserved village, to be discovered during a free visit, or guided by the tourist office. Ready for the time jump?
The medieval city of Pérouges is an inhabited village which welcomes visitors freely all year round.
Pérouges, city of the imagination
Who never dreamed of time travel and in all the galaxies with the wave of a magic wand? What if we told you that here hides a time machine? A fantastic place where the imagination escapes, the mind soars and the eyes widen?
Alors direction Perouges ! This incredible village is very small, but superbly preserved.
It is a town straight out of the past. One of Most Beautiful Villages of France and ranked 4th in favorite French village 2013.
At each detour, each step on the curved pebbles polished by centuries of travellers, we are projected elsewhere. Perouges is at the gates of the Dombes and at the edge of all dreams. It arouses emotion.
Close your eyes and immerse yourself in your childhood memories.
Decked out in makeshift disguises, you were an intrepid explorer like Indiana Jones, a fearless adventurer like Lara Croft, or a mad scientist bringing Frankenstein's creature to life. In Pérouges, your imagination comes alive!
In another space-time populated by dragons, in the picturesque Gascony of D'Artagnan or in a fascinating book by Ken Follet. We wonder who will come out of these small stone-clad houses and lined with bricks. Could it be an alchemist? An elf? A bandit ? A witch ? Everything is possible.
No, it's not the Shire, nor Winterfell… but almost!
A thousand billion thousand ports, let's quickly board the fantastic city!
30 minutes from Lyon, Pérouges amazes young and old
Everything is round : her cake which perfumes the streets with a delicious cloud of butter and sugar, its high street who goes around and its pebbles shaped by millennia.
Everything is good there : of these moments shared to contemplate a sunset on the plain of Ain, to the sound of the musical festival “The spring of Pérouges”, via a sparkling glass of Montagnieu.
Here we open a treasure chest each time we cross the door of one of the craft stalls. Their gems are: wooden objects and jewelry, creations in ceramic, serigraphy, bookbinding & book arts, unique stained glass pieces et many more...
The city of gourmets
LA specialty of the village! The one you are sure to taste. At the restaurant, in the old fashioned way, on sale or even as a reward for a treasure hunt...
The Perouges galette, a must.
For the record, Marie-Louise Thibaut and her husband take over theHostellerie du Vieux Pérouges in 1912, after 80 years of closure. Marie-Louise decides to create a variation of local sugar pies and creates the current recipe: thin brioche dough with lemon zest, butter and sugar which caramelize on it when cooked.
The galette is traditionally accompanied by a ladle of fresh cream served in a tupin. It goes very well with red fruits such as raspberries and sparkling wines such as Montagnieu ou the Cerdon.
A simple recipe that cooks quickly and that will please the greatest number. At the tourist office, everyone loves it! Originally bread was baked on Fridays in the communal oven and we took the opportunity to bake the said pancake.
It is a recipe deposited by the Thibaut family since 1912. Under this name, it is sold exclusively in the medieval city.
Today it is a labeled local specialty « Flavors of Ain ". It is found on 7 different points of sale throughout the village.
FAQ / Pérouges in brief: all the practical information
How to visit the medieval village of Pérouges?
- With the mini-tour guide on sale At the tourism office or The online store from the Tourist Office (Price of the guide: 0.20€. For postage, provide postage + delivery times).
– For an offbeat discovery with family or friends, opt for one of the game booklets or investigation games.
– Using thefree audioguide. Just download the izi.Travel app and type the name of the visit on it: "Pérouges, join the circle".
- In guided tour with the Tourist Office between April and October.
– In autonomy, with map of Pérouges To download.
Is the entrance to the medieval village free? Answer: Yes!
The medieval city is above all an inhabited village, accessible totally free and free all year round and at any time (except one day a year for the medieval festival in June). About 80 people reside within the walls of the city while the commune of Pérouges has 1200 inhabitants in total.
Is there a distributor in Pérouges? ?
No, no ATM in the village of Pérouges. The nearest ATMs are in Meximieux (1km), 5 mins by car or 15 mins on foot. However, most establishments in Pérouges accept credit cards.
Do you have a map of Pérouges?
Of course, here is a version to download:
You will also find city maps on panels at the entrance to the medieval city.
How long to visit the village of Pérouges?
The visit takes about 1h-1h30 at your own pace and the stops made. The village is small but offers artisan shops, restaurants (5 in all) and the museum of Vieux Pérouges.
Le Museum of Old Perouges is open only from April to October, wednesday to sunday. Starter : 5€/pers.
The entrance also gives access to the watchtower with 360° view on the roofs of the village and at the hortulus, the medieval garden.
Accessibility: visiting the city, is it easy for everyone? Alas no.
The streets of the medieval town of Pérouges are covered with pebbles which make very complicated passage for people:
- In Wheelchair, manual or electric.
– On crutches or a cane or moving with difficulty.
- With a stroller (prefer the baby carrier for the visit).
- In heels or flip-flops (prefer flat and closed shoes).
NB: for disabled car parks, see the section “Where to park in Pérouges?” »
What to do around the village?
Many walking trails are arranged around the medieval city. From 40min to 2h30 of walk without difficulty. Consult the map of the hiking trails around Perouges.
Aubépin pond is located below the city, 10 min walk (no swimming – reserved for fishing). Educational panels teach you more about the biodiversity of the place. Benches welcome you there for a picnic, reserved with our local producers 😉
Is it possible to visit Pérouges in a group?
Sure ! We invite you to consult our dedicated page.
Car parks: where to park in Pérouges?
It exists two paid car parks required before entering the medieval village.
> Go to Combes car park (300m from the village – 300 spaces) or the family Olivet car park (200 m from the village – 50 spaces)
PRICE : Only 3€ the full day per vehicle!
PAYMENT METHODS : in cash or by bank card.
A modest sum to allow as many people as possible to come and visit. Thus each visitor actively participates in the maintenance of the car parks and public spaces of the medieval city of Pérouges. The town hall, the tourist office and all the communities thank you for it.
DISABLED PARKING : of them free parking spaces are reserved for people with reduced mobility, just next to the village entrance.
A additional space is available in front of the door the tourism office (100 m before entering the village).
Coming by train to Pérouges
For those who prefer public transport, below is an access map to get to walk to the medieval city since the “Meximieux-Pérouges” station.
It takes approximately 20 minutes walk and plan a small climb at the end to access the village.
Dtrains depart every hour from the station of Lyon Part Dieu, TER Lyon-Ambérieu. (35 min journey). To consult TER timetables.
Coming by bus to Pérouges
It is possible to come to Perouges by bus from Lyon or Bourg-en-Bresse. With 'Philibert transport': line 132 – Lyon / Bourg-en-Bresse.
On foot, from the “Meximieux – Gendarmerie – Route de Pérouges” stop, follow the road to Pérouges (see the map below). About 15 min walk, bring good shoes for the uphill part. Consult the timetables and the terms.
Bonus: the city seen from 360°
Pérouges like you've never seen it before! Shooting 360° drone above the medieval city and in the alleys. Pérouges seen from the sky, impressive!
©Calyptone-Aintourisme