Pérouges
Commune in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
title: "Pérouges" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["communes-of-ain", "plus-beaux-villages-de-france", "ain-communes-articles-needing-translation-from-french-wikipedia"] description: "Commune in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France" topic_path: "geography/france" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pérouges" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Commune in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox French commune"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Pérouges |
| native name | frp |
| commune status | Commune |
| image | Cité médiévale de Pérouges - Marilou Perino.jpg |
| caption | A view of Pérouges |
| image coat of arms | Blason ville fr Pérouges (Ain).svg |
| arrondissement | Belley |
| canton | Meximieux |
| INSEE | 01290 |
| postal code | 01800 |
| mayor | Nathalie Magnon-Micolas |
| term | 2023–2026 |
| coordinates | |
| elevation m | 270 |
| elevation min m | 205 |
| elevation max m | 303 |
| area km2 | 18.97 |
| population | |
| population date | |
| population footnotes | |
| image flag | Flag of Pérouges.gif |
| :: |
|name = Pérouges |native name = frp |commune status = Commune |image = Cité médiévale de Pérouges - Marilou Perino.jpg |caption = A view of Pérouges |image coat of arms = Blason ville fr Pérouges (Ain).svg |arrondissement = Belley |canton = Meximieux |INSEE = 01290 |postal code = 01800 |mayor = Nathalie Magnon-Micolas |term = 2023–2026 |intercommunality = |coordinates = |elevation m = 270 |elevation min m = 205 |elevation max m = 303 |area km2 = 18.97 |population = |population date = |population footnotes = |image flag=Flag of Pérouges.gif}}
Pérouges (; 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 northeast of Lyon, historically in the neighbouring Rhône department.
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
|align = none |cols = 2 |percentages = pagr |source = EHESS and INSEE (1968-2023) |1793 |814 |1821 |873 |1846 |899 |1872 |806 |1901 |538 |1926 |427 |1946 |447 |1962 |474 |1968 |489 |1975 |531 |1982 |658 |1990 |851 |1999 |1103 |2007 |1191 |2012 |1209 |2017 |1201 |2023 |1387
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.
References
References
- (30 November 2023). "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises.
- [https://www.insee.fr/fr/metadonnees/geographie/commune/01290-perouges Commune de Pérouges (01290)], INSEE
- Green Guide ''Auvergne, Rhône Valley'', page 208, Michelin et Cie, 1995, {{ISBN. 2-06-130401-X
- [https://www.les-plus-beaux-villages-de-france.org/fr/nos-villages/perouges/ Pérouges] {{Webarchive. link. (22 November 2023 , Les Plus Beaux Villages de France)
- "History {{!}} Pérouges".
- {{Cassini-Ehess. 26515. Pérouges
- [https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/8643952?geo=COM-01290#tableau-POPREF_G1 Population municipale entre 1968 et 2023], INSEE
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