The medieval castle of Guédelon
A unique historical challenge

At the heart of the Puisaye forest, “medieval workers” have formed a clearing in which they are building a fortified castle using 13th century methods, without cranes or electricity. A marvellous human endeavour where you can learn how buildings were constructed in the Middle Ages!

Hands-on learning

Day after day in the Puisaye forest a genuine fortified castle is slowly rising before visitors' eyes.

This historical challenge, quite unique when it began, is making a significant contribution to our understanding of medieval military building. It began in 1997 and is due to be completed around 2025.

A tour of the site is accompanied by the hammering of stone cutters and the slow plod of horses. Did you know that most of the people working at Guédelon are enthusiastic volunteers? They have even inspired a similar experiment in the United States!

Discover crafts on an “historic” building site

The cottages and workshops dotted around the site will help you build a picture of medieval crafts and expertise.

Stone, wood, earth, sand and clay are the only materials used by the quarrymen, stone-cutters, masons, wood-cutters, joiners, blacksmiths, tilemakers, carters, basket-makers, ropemakers ... the kiln can hold 4,000 flat tiles.

Make your own contribution...

A tour of the building site can be enhanced by a number of activities for people of all ages, school parties and families. Having fun while learning is a way of supporting the Guédelon project...

• Every day in July and August you can take part in a carving and geometry workshop with your thirteen-knot-rope!
• Mistress Françoise welcomes visitors to the castle kitchens where they can learn how to prepare medieval dishes.
• The stone-cutting workshop is a chance to try your hand at sculpture.

Visit other places in the Puisaye: château of Saint-Fargeau, château of Ratilly, Boutissaint nature park ... this area so beloved by the writer Colette is full of surprises.

Practical information

Why not visit Guédelon once a year to see how work is progressing?

Address details

Chantier médiéval de Guédelon
D955
89520 Treigny
Tel: +33 (0)3 86 45 66 66
E-mail : guedelon@guedelon.fr
http://www.guedelon.fr/fr/

Opening times

Mid to end March:
 - 10am-6pm, Monday to Sunday
 - Closed: Wednesday

April to June: ·
- 10am-6pm, Monday to Saturday
- 10am-7pm, Sunday and bank holidays
- Closed: Wednesday

July & August: ·
- 10am-7pm, daily

September: ·
- 10am-5.30pm, Monday to Friday
- 10am-6pm, Saturday & Sunday ·
- Closed: Wednesday

October: ·
- 10am-5.30pm, Monday to Sunday
- Closed: Wednesday

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