By Marie Sherlock
This is the third in my series of photo essays on the archways, passages, vaults, and tunnels of small French towns. More to come!
Pérouges (in Eastern France, about 25 miles northeast of Lyon) is not typical of the places I’ve visited. It’s decidedly more touristy. It now exists (to a large extent?) as a destination for tour buses to disgorge their camera-toting cargo to descend upon its amazingly intact medieval walls and architecture. (And to sample Pérouges’ version of galette – large, buttered and sugared pizza-like dessert pies.)
It doesn’t feel like a “working” town – which is what I look for when visiting French villages. On the other hand, it’s clearly NOT Disney – it’s real. And therein lies the magic.
One warning (along with trying to go in the off-season when
Pérouges is not stuffed to its ramparts with travelers): Women should NOT wear heels here. I would actually give this advice just generally to women (particularly those traveling) but it’s really a firm rule in places like
Pérouges where delightful yet uneven/precarious cobble-stoned streets are everywhere. Even with sensible walking shoes, you’ll need to be careful.
There – you’ve been warned. 🙂
Pérouges’ main entrance (Porte de Bas). I can’t believe I snapped this
without a horde of people in it!
