Pérouges
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Commune of Pérouges |
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| Location | |
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| Administration | |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | Rhône-Alpes |
| Department | Ain |
| Arrondissement | Bourg-en-Bresse |
| Canton | Meximieux |
| Mayor | Marie-Josèphe Cinquin (2001-2008) |
| Statistics | |
| Elevation | 300 m (avg.) |
| Land area¹ | 18.97 km² |
| Population² (1999) |
1,119 |
| - Density | 59/km² (1999) |
| Miscellaneous | |
| INSEE/Postal code | 01290/ 01800 |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
| 2 Population sans doubles comptes: residents of multiple communes (e.g. students and military personnel) only counted once. | |
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Pérouges is a commune in the department of Ain in eastern France. It is a medieval walled town 30 km northeast of Lyon. It is perched on a small hill that overlooks the plain of the Ain River.
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[edit] 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 8. But, starting in 1911, the town was restored and houses were saved. Today, Pérouges is a popular tourist attraction.
[edit] Films set in Pérouges
[edit] Cultural events
A spring festival has been held annually between April and June and hosts musical events ranging from Baroque to jazz.
[edit] Sources and external links
- Official website (English) (French)
- French Tourism Page on Pérouges (French)
- Usdin Art Foundry
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