Perouges

Perouges is a restored Medieval village that dates, it is said, from pre-Roman times. The original settlers came from Perugia, Italy. I'm not so sure about that, but the more recent history of the place, the last millennium or so, is fairly well documented, preserved and restored in the stones, mostly by or through the energies of the Lyon historical society. It's a fairly good representation of what a Medieval village might have looked like, architecturally. Walls and fortifications, defensive structures, including the church, fortified gates, etc. Mostly high middle ages, 12th-14th centuries. And not very near the beaten tour bus path. The town lived mostly on agriculture and textile work, but went into serious decline only when the railroad went elsewhere. When the Lyon folks rescued it in the latter 19th century, it was nearly an uninhabited wreck. Not so anymore. We spent the night, along with other savage campeurs (that's what French-type personnes call "wild camping"), in the village parking lot (2 euros).