Flying North to travel South.

[RB001]

This marker contains part of the Coat of Arms of Vienne. But we haven't been able to figure out its purpose.

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Not sure how well/if it's currently maintained, but those markers line up with one of the trails on a map obtained at the tourist office - supposedly to the main sights downtown.

 

[OZDUCK]

Not sure how well/if it's currently maintained, but those markers line up with one of the trails on a map obtained at the tourist office - supposedly to the main sights downtown.

Thanks. That is one of the possibilities we thought of today. But couldn't remember for sure.

 

[OZDUCK]

Based on recommendations by both Flashback and Cambriamarsh we decided our second day trip would be to the 'medieval' village of Perouges. These were excellent recommendations. It is roughly 30 KM northeast of Lyon and has retained its medieval aspect because it was almost abandoned in the 19th Century. The population dropped from 1,500 to 90 before restoration work started in 1911.

Pérouges - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The local train was unusual in that it was in a 3 - 2 seating pattern. It seems to be a commuter train covering feeder towns near to Lyon. Luckily it was very empty both there and back.





Crossing the Rhone on the outskirts of Lyon




You pass some serious infrastructure on the way there



To get there you get off at the small town of Meximieux. The station is called Meximieux-Perouges. You have to walk just under 2 km - uphill!



Just outside the station the local tourist office has set up a little information booth. Basically, you follow the dragon markers by the roadside. The dragon is the symbol of Perouges



1.7 km and only 25 minutes - yeah right. I think they got some 19 year rugby player at the peak of fitness to record that time. We did it in a touch under 50 minutes and even taking out 10 minutes for a bit of poor navigation on my part that 25 minutes was extremely 'optimistic'. You go uphill, downhill and then uphill again. About half the walk is on gravel tracks.




The markers



In Meximieux we passed by a public wash house built in 1880. It is feed by a spring





We kept going up and up and then I discovered I had led us astray at the top of steep hill. So we had to walk downhill for a couple of hundred metres and take the right path.

I am sure we are the right track - oops maybe not.



Then we had to go downhill again. The stones were uncomfortable and pretty loose.



Our first sightings of our destination

 

[OZDUCK]

We passed by a little stream that seems to be a good spot for fishing.









Then the steep ascent began. At least it was a very scenic, if tiring, path. We got a few light drops of rain on the way up but it soon turned in a lovely sunny day.









I was not resting just taking a moment to contemplate the beauty around me.



Yeah no way! I took the slightly longer ramp with no steps.



The view to a small chateau above Meximieux on the other side of the valley.

 

[OZDUCK]

Arrival. Only about 80 or 90 people live within the walls. There is a 'modern' area a few hundred metres away. The town is often used as a setting for movies and TV shows. You will note that power lines and TV aerials are conspicuous by there absence.



The first streets you see inside the walls let you know what a treat you are in for. However the cobblestones do wear you down a bit but of course they are part of the towns character.











The main square









The view from the town