Ruines de la maison Salomon

The Ruines de la maison Salomon are the modest but telling remains of a medieval house tucked into the heart of Pérouges, one of France's best-preserved medieval villages, in the Ain department east of Lyon. The ruins sit along a narrow lane connecting Rue des Rondes and Rue du Tambour, just a short walk from the village's main square.

What is this site?

The structure whose traces survive today dates back to the 15th century, when Pérouges was thriving as a weaving and linen-trading town. The house takes its name from the Salomon family, historically linked to the property, though only fragments of the walls remain standing. The site is privately owned, so there's no access to an interior — you take it in from the street, as a piece of the town's overall architectural fabric.

Despite its small footprint, the ruin carries official heritage status: it was listed as a monument historique on March 22, 1924. That listing shows how even a partially collapsed, unassuming building in Pérouges was judged worth protecting, alongside the town's more famous stone houses around the central square.

What will you see there?

Walking the narrow cobbled lanes of Pérouges, it's easy to miss the ruins if you don't know to look for them. The surviving wall sections show the building technique typical of the area — rough-cut stone bound with mortar, characteristic of a merchant-class house from this period. It's a good spot to pause and see what the town's fabric looked like away from the polished, restored facades most visitors photograph.

Pair the visit with a walk around Pérouges's defensive walls and a stop at the fortified church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, a few minutes' walk from the ruins. The whole village can be covered on foot in under an hour, but it rewards a slower pace — Pérouges is officially one of France's "Most Beautiful Villages," and much of its charm sits in details like these: cobblestones, old window frames, and weathered walls such as this one.

How do you get there?

Pérouges is roughly 35 km from Lyon and easy to reach by car via the A42 motorway (Meximieux/Pérouges exit). Parking is limited at the foot of the hill, and it's a walk uphill from the car park into the village center. By train, the nearest station is Meximieux-Pérouges, about 3 km away, reachable by taxi or on foot.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and early autumn are the best windows for exploring the ruins and the rest of the village — fewer crowds than peak summer, and softer light that brings out the texture of the old stone. Summer weekends and local festivals can get busy. Winter is quieter but less photogenic.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the ruins? No — the site is privately owned, and it can only be viewed from the outside, from the street.

How much time should I set aside? The ruins themselves take just a few minutes, but combined with a walk through the rest of Pérouges, plan for 1.5–2 hours.

Is there an entrance fee? No, the ruins sit in the public part of the village and, like most of Pérouges's streets, can be viewed free of charge.

Is it worth combining with other sights in Pérouges? Yes — the town's defensive walls and the fortified church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine are both nearby and worth a short stop.