Perched on his hill, Perouges is a perfect example of a Middle Ages town. A village of craftsmen, it never knew the sway of a lord ; its inhabitants, whose occupations were farming and linen weaving, already enjoyed their communal freedom as early as 1236.
The village has no rich relics but can boast of an unequalled unity with its houses of the nobility and its more modest craftsmen's houses on the unevenly paved streets offering such a picturesque display. Conserved since 1911 by the Beaux Arts Commission and its own Defense Committee, it has attracted film producers who have used exterior shots in numerous French films including "The Three Musketeers".
Perouges appears to have been founded by a Gallic colony returning from Perogia in Italy. The sites of the two towns are strangely alike, and their ways of spelling are identical. The Romans built a beacon tower here, governing the road from the Rhone valley and defending Lugdunum (Lyon) by its signals.
In 1167 the Seigneur d’Anthon shut himself within the walls to resist the Archbishop of Lyon’s troops.
In 1236 were granted the first communal franchises and a sudden prosperity in the textile industry blossomed up to the end of the 18th century.
In 1300 Perouges became part of the Dauphiné county.
In 1343 a new charter was granted by the Lord of Vienne.
In 1345 Perouges became part of the Savoy Duchy, the town flourished and the people were favoured by the souverain.
In 1468 the Duke of Savoy, in alliance with Charles le Temeraire fought off Louis 11th’s troups come to devastate Bresse in a memorable siege.
In 1585, birth of the Baron of Perouges, famous grammarian in the château of the Rouge belonging to Claude Favre de Vaugelas.
In 1601 the town became French with Henri 4th’s Lyon treaty. From this period dates the demantling of the fortress.
With the 19th century came industrial developments, the railway and re-routing of local roads, all which were to threaten the survival of Perouges. Population dropped from 1500 to 8.
In 1909 Perouges was threatened with demolition, Anthelme THIBAUT launched a press campaign to save the town from its fate.
In 1911 under the aegis of President Edouart Herriot, the Vieux Perouges committee was founded : archaeologists, artists and notables took part in the resurrection. Houses were saved and progressively restored.