Pérouges

Pérouges

Coat of arms
Pérouges

Coordinates: 45°55′07″N 5°10′54″E / 45.9186°N 5.1817°E / 45.9186; 5.1817Coordinates: 45°55′07″N 5°10′54″E / 45.9186°N 5.1817°E / 45.9186; 5.1817
Country France
Region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Department Ain
Arrondissement Bourg-en-Bresse
Canton Meximieux
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Paul Vernay
Area1 18.97 km2 (7.32 sq mi)
Population (2008)2 1,205
 • Density 64/km2 (160/sq mi)
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.

2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Pérouges is a commune in the Ain department in eastern France. It is a medieval walled town 30 km (19 mi) northeast of Lyon. It is perched on a small hill that overlooks the plain of the Ain River.

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.[1] But, starting in 1911, the town was restored and houses were saved. Today, Pérouges is a popular tourist attraction.

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1666500—    
1786844+68.8%
17901,052+24.6%
1793814−22.6%
1800898+10.3%
1806821−8.6%
1821873+6.3%
1831843−3.4%
1836834−1.1%
1841902+8.2%
1846899−0.3%
1851920+2.3%
1856919−0.1%
1861901−2.0%
1866890−1.2%
1872806−9.4%
1876801−0.6%
1881726−9.4%
1886706−2.8%
1891665−5.8%
1896599−9.9%
1901538−10.2%
1906536−0.4%
1911483−9.9%
1921364−24.6%
1926427+17.3%
1931429+0.5%
1936447+4.2%
1946447+0.0%
1954456+2.0%
1962474+3.9%
1968489+3.2%
1975531+8.6%
1982658+23.9%
1990851+29.3%
19991,103+29.6%
20081,205+9.2%

Films set in Pérouges

Given its authentic historical appearance, Pérouges is often used as the setting for period films by French directors[1] and others.

Films set in Pérouges are:

Cultural events

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

Gallery

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Green Guide Auvergne, Rhône Valley, page 208, Michelin et Cie, 1995, ISBN 2-06-130401-X

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pérouges.
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