Peyreleau, Commune in southern France
Peyreleau is a small commune in southern France, set at the meeting point of the Tarn and Jonte rivers, near the Gorges du Tarn. Narrow lanes run between old stone houses with red-tiled roofs, and a tall limestone rock rises directly above the village.
Peyreleau was once a stopping point for travelers passing through the gorge, and the limestone rock above the village served as a natural lookout and refuge. Over the centuries, a castle, a Templar barn, and other structures were built here, and their ruins can still be seen today.
The name Peyreleau comes from old words meaning 'stone' and 'place,' which fits the rocky land around it. In summer, small markets bring locals together to sell fresh produce, baked goods, and handmade crafts.
The village is easiest to reach by car, with roads winding through the surrounding countryside, and parking is available nearby. Once there, everything is easy to explore on foot, as the paths through the village are short and unhurried.
A local legend tells of a man named Jean Grin, known as the 'Ogre of Malbouche,' who was said to have lived in the wild around the village and is still part of local storytelling today. Whether he was real or invented, nobody can say for certain.
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