Pérouges

Pérouges Pèrôges (Arpitan)
Commune
A view of Pérouges
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Pérouges
Pérouges Pérouges
Coordinates: 45°54′26″N 5°10′22″E
Country	France
Region	Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Department	Ain
Arrondissement	Belley
Canton	Meximieux
Government
• Mayor (2023–2026)	Nathalie Magnon-Micolas
Area 1	18.97 km2 (7.32 sq mi)
Population  (2021)	1,346
• Density	71/km2 (180/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code	01290 /01800
Elevation	205–303 m (673–994 ft) (avg. 270 m or 890 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Pérouges (French pronunciation: [peʁuʒ]; Arpitan: Pèrôges) is a commune in the Ain department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in Eastern France. A medieval walled town perched on a small hill that overlooks the plain of the river Ain, it is located 30 km (19 mi) northeast of Lyon, historically in the neighbouring Rhône department. In 2019, Pérouges had a population of 1,273.

History

Pérouges was inhabited by craftsmen; mainly farmers and linen weavers. It was probably founded by a Gallic colony returning from Perugia in Italy. In 1167, the Seigneur d'Anthon famously shut the commune's walls against the troops of the Archbishop of Lyon, and as early as 1236 the inhabitants earned communal freedom. In 1601 the town officially became French. Until the end of the 18th century, the textile industry in Pérouges boomed. In the 19th century, however, roads and railroads were re-routed and the population dropped from 1,500 to 90. But, starting in 1911, the town was restored and houses were saved. Today, Pérouges is a popular tourist attraction, recognized as one of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France.

Origin

According to the archaeological findings, humans have been present at Pérouges since the Chalcolithic (about –2500 to –1800) age. There is no date for the construction of the fortress itself, but its first written mention appears in 12th century, therefore it is assumed to be built in that period. Although the town has been attacked by French soldiers on multiple occasions, it still prospered, due to its location and proximity to the trade routes. The town is located between Lyon and Geneva, which was one of the active local trade routes, therefore, craftsmanship and trade in the region flourished. The area officially became part of France under the rule of Henri IV in 1601.

Demographics

Historical population

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1793 814 —     1821 873 +0.25% 1846 899 +0.12% 1872 806 −0.42% 1901 538 −1.38% 1926 427 −0.92% 1946 447 +0.23% 1962 474 +0.37%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1968 489 +0.52% 1975 531 +1.18% 1982 658 +3.11% 1990 851 +3.27% 1999 1,103 +2.92% 2009 1,204 +0.88% 2014 1,206 +0.03% 2020 1,309 +1.38%
Source: EHESS and INSEE (1968-2020)

Films set in Pérouges

Given its authentic historical appearance, Pérouges is often used as the setting for period films by French directors and others.

Films set in Pérouges are:

• Monsieur Vincent Fr:(1947)
• The Three Musketeers (1961)
• Mandrin
• Fanfan la Tulipe Fr:(1962)
• The Bride Br:(1985)
• The Hour of the Pig Br:(1993)

Cultural events

A spring festival has been held annually between April and June and hosts musical events ranging from Baroque to jazz.

See also

• Communes of the Ain department

External links

• Official website (in English and French)
• Perouges Preservation Committee - Museum, Watch Tower, Garden and House of Princes visits with Contemporary Art exhibitions (in English and French)