Musée du Vieux Pérouges

About the museum

The Musée du Vieux Pérouges was founded in 1912 by the Comité de défense et de conservation du Vieux Pérouges, an association set up in 1911 to save and rehabilitate the medieval town. Its objects come from donations by old families of Pérouges and belong to the association, which makes it a private museum. It carries the “Musée de France” label.

The museum occupies the Maison des Princes, former residence of the Dukes of Savoy, a 14th- and 15th-century manor listed as a historic monument in 1921, with large monumental fireplaces. The first rooms display Meillonnas faience, Bresse furniture, kitchen and everyday objects, Trévoux dictionaries, old plans and documents, 19th-century tools and weapons from several periods, as well as an archaeological room.

Climbing the watchtower, visitors discover the weaving workshop, a reminder of the town's past as a weaving centre, then a viewpoint with a panoramic orientation table over the Dombes plateau and the Ain plain. The visit ends in the small medieval garden, the Hortulus. The museum has three permanent rooms and four temporary-exhibition rooms, devoted each summer to contemporary artists.

Highlights

• Maison des Princes, 14th- and 15th-century manor listed as a historic monument
• Meillonnas faience, Bresse furniture and old tools
• Weaving workshop at the top of the watchtower
• Panorama and orientation table from the watchtower
• Hortulus, a small medieval garden

Permanent exhibitions

• Salles du musée de la Maison des Princes – Three permanent rooms with Meillonnas faience, Bresse furniture, old objects, tools and documents, and the weaving workshop at the top of the watchtower.
• Tour de guet et jardin médiéval Hortulus – Viewpoint with orientation table over the Ain plain and the Dombes, followed by a small garden of medieval plant species.

Founded

1912

Operated by

Comité de défense et de conservation du Vieux Pérouges

Visitors per year

approx. 25,960

Admission & discounts

Single rate of €5 according to the tourist office. Payment by cheque, card or cash.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is not accessible by wheelchair. It spreads over several levels, with spiral staircases and narrow steps.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the medieval town of Pérouges. From Lyon (34 km), take the A42 to exit 7.

Amenities & dining

The committee's website does not mention Wi-Fi for visitors.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit