Pérouges

With its medieval houses and narrow cobbled streets surrounded by ramparts, wonderfully preserved Pérouges is only 200 yards across. Handweavers first brought it prosperity; but the Industrial Revolution meant their downfall, and by the late 19th century the population had dwindled from 1,500 to 12. Now the government has restored the most interesting houses, giving the town a new lease on life. A number of restaurants make Pérouges a good lunch stop.