A twenty-first century building. A thirteenth century castle.
Guédelon Castle is a wonderful piece of experimental archaeology. The project began in 1998 and they hope to have created a thirteenth century castle by around 2025. Wherever possible they use original building techniques and material are sourced from on or near to the site (an old quarry set in woodland). Workers wear an approximation of medieval clothing and use original style tools and techniques in workshops that are open to public view.
We spent a day there (two of the 300,000 visitors a year who come). I have long wanted to visit and wasn’t disappointed by the experience. My lack of French meant that the presentations were beyond me but the site itself talks to anyone with an interest in castle and medieval life.
The building site brings helps to make sense of manuscript drawings and the surrounding village opens your eyes to the scale of the enterprise. Most castles would have been built more quickly that this so the resources required would have been even greater.
It’s a Not A Castle because it is out of time but it gives great insights into castles, castle building and castle life. I thoroughly recommend it as a day out.