Medieval France

If you find yourself spending time in the southeast of France, perhaps near Lyon, then a trip out into the countryside, to visit the medieval city of Perouges, is a must. Situated on a hill, overlooking the surrounding valleys, the site has been inhabited for centuries. In its early life, Perouges was an important local center, and it was involved in a fair amount of political strife. Surviving sieges and changes in allegiance throughout the 1200 – 1600s, it remained a rich city and a center of the textile industry. However, as railroads developed and rerouted traffic from the area, Perouges fell on hard times. Like many cities forgotten by the modern era, the authentic stone walls and houses remained standing, even as the population fell from over 1,500 to only a handful of families. At the beginning of the 1900s, the medieval charm of the city was rediscovered, and restoration began. These days, Perouges thrives as a destination for visitors to experience a true medieval city. While industry may have left, the city is now famous for is its classification as one of the most beautiful cities in France (Plus Beaux Villages de France), and for a unique type of sugary pizza sold in its bakeries. So if you want to lose track of time in medieval surroundings, Perouges is a good choice for admiring period architecture while soaking up sunshine in the main square!