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?
Pérouges, exceptional historic village
The medieval city of Pérouges is an inhabited village which welcomes visitors freely all year round. 80 people live within the walls of the city and 1200 live in the town.
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?
So direction Perugia ! This incredible village is very small, but superbly preserved.
A town straight out of the past. One of Most Beautiful Villages of France and ranked 4th in favorite French village 2013.
Pérouges, at a glance
Perouges and all it has to offer, with one click. To answer all your questions ! Accommodation, eating there, visiting Pérouges… prepare your arrival in all serenity.
Sleep in Perouges
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Where to eat in Perouges?
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Delight in Pérouges, a galette story
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Souvenir Shops in Perouges
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Pérouges creators and crafts
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Visits and games in Pérouges
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The medieval festival of Pérouges
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Printemps de Pérouges, the music festival
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Pérouges, medieval city of the imagination
Close your eyes and immerse yourself in your childhood memories.
Remember… Decked out in makeshift disguise you were an intrepid explorer like Indiana Jones, a fearless adventurer like Lara Croft.
Neither the Shire nor Winterfell… and yet! Pérouges plunges you into another space-time. An era populated by dragons, in the picturesque Gascony of D'Artagnan or in an exciting 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.
A thousand billion thousand ports, let's quickly board the fantastic city!
Pérouges, living medieval city
Only Most Beautiful Village of France in the department ofAin. A preserved city, full of animations and beauties. A village that worth the detour !
Pérouges are also guided tours organized by the tourist office. Between April and October, you walk the streets in good company. Theatrical visit with the Lady or the Sieur de Pérouges. Historical visit every summer day. Or even intrigues, investigation games and nocturnal visits...
Pérouges, city of know-how
With its some 10 workshops of creators and craftsmen, the historic village boasts a number of skills. From the most traditional like timeless pottery or ceramics, to the most confidential like art bookbinding or stained glass. A stroll through the workshops…
The village also loves the arts and artists, who exhibit all year round in various cultural venues. Cazin House, House of Contemporary Arts, Galerie St Georges welcome you with pleasure.
The city of specialties
LA culinary specialty of the village: the galette de Pérouges! 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. It goes very well with red fruits and sparkling wines such as Montagnieu ou the Cerdon.
Where to find the Perouges galette?
It is a recipe registered by the Thibaut family since 1912. It is sold under the name “galette de Pérouges” exclusively in the medieval city.
Today it is a labeled local specialty « Flavors of the Ain ". To be found in 7 outlets from the village. Follow the good smell of sugar!
Perouges rose
Another specialty that smells good. The village prides itself on having its own variety of Pink ! Created in a way exclusive for the medieval city, of course. She presents a beautiful Scarlet, as a reminder of the colors of the coat of arms! It blooms in late May - early June. Follow the scent of the roses to find her in the city.
Pérouges has everything you need, 40 minutes east of Lyon
In summary, you will understand, Perugia deserves your visits ! Here is a real treasure chest which opens, each time one crosses the door from above.
In Pérouges, everything is round
- Sa cake, which perfumes the streets with a delicious cloud of butter and sugar.
- Sa high street, which goes around.
- Your pebble, shaped by millennia and its Pink scarlet.
In Pérouges, everything is beautiful/good
- The creations of artisan workshops & the galleries of art.
- The moments shared during the celebrations and festivals, all year.
- The good addresses to eat, stay and taste the specialties.
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.
Where can I find souvenirs from Pérouges?
Many souvenir shops are open year round in the center of the city.
The sales area of the tourist office also offers souvenirs and gift ideas. To be found on the tourist office online store also.
Can we stay in the city of Pérouges?
Yes, it exists different accommodations in the center of the city.
– Hotel-Restaurant: Hostellerie du Vieux Pérouges.
- Bed and breakfast: le Grenier à sel, The Residence, La Casa di Perogia.
In nearby hamlets
Hotel: La Bérangère (1km) from the medieval city.
Gîtes: Rapan (5km) …
Are there restaurants in Perouges? Where can we eat in the city?
traditional restaurants with local cuisine. It exists take-out outlets : savory tarts, Pérouges galettes and sweet pancakes.
The list and the openings can be found on the website of the tourist office: page les Perouges restaurants .
Where to buy Perouges galette?
local specialty, Perouges cake is a revisited sugar pie. It is made exclusively in the medieval city. on the village, 7 outlets allow you to taste it on the spot, or to take away.
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), 2 exhibition galleries, the museum of contemporary arts and the Museum of Old 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, right next to the village entrance.
A additional space is available in front of the door of the tourist 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.
Coming from Meximieux station to Pérouges
- Dog shuttle bus (except during the medieval festival weekend)
- By foot, the climb to the city is approximately 60 -70 minutes for a person of normal physical shape. See map below.
- High-performance electric bikes are in self-service at Meximieux station. See rental 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-Aintourism