Perched on its promontory, the medieval village of Pérouges unfolds its interwoven houses like a stone snail. Here, the rock is everywhere, from the ground to the facades, all the way up to the ceilings. But to avoid a totally mineral look, the residents have added a touch of poetry: the rose. A local emblem, it's so iconic that it even inspired a whole variety of its own, the famous Rose of Pérouges. A living postcard, to be enjoyed without a filter.
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Contrary to popular belief, Pérouges never sleeps. From January 1st to December 31st, the village buzzes with cultural and festive events. Family-friendly immersive visits, a Venetian parade in spring, the Rose of Pérouges celebration, a summer craft market, Beaujolais Nouveau, and a Christmas market… not to mention a music festival featuring impressive headliners like Lenny Kravitz, Jean-Louis Aubert, Louane, and Theodora. It's safe to say that the heritage here doesn't gather dust.
A heritage record that puts Paris to shame
With 81 historical monuments for just 1,259 residents, Pérouges is off the charts. That means there's one monument for a little over 15 residents. For comparison, Paris has a ratio of one monument for 1,173 inhabitants. The result: a heritage density that is 80 times greater. No Eiffel Tower or Louvre here!
Sure! Here's the translation for you: Yes, indeed, but a unique concentration of history, on a human scale, that you can explore in a day from Lyon.See this post on Instagram
Pérouges shows that the greatest treasures are not always where you expect them to be. Just 30 minutes from Lyon, this Most Beautiful Village in France offers a complete immersion in history, culture, and art of living. And for the ultimate fun fact, did you know that the Mont-Saint-Michel...Michel is the only village in France with more historic monuments than inhabitants. This just goes to show that when it comes to heritage, the "countryside" still has a bit of an edge.