Twenty years in the making and slowly getting there, Guédelon once more invites visitors to participate in the fun this summer.
Famous for its fantastic recreation of a 13th-century castle, Guédelon began by shifting masses of earth and stones. Now, twenty years later, it is possible to get a feeling for where the project is moving.
This summer, the masons will be working at the connection between the two towers flanking the main gate, while lumberjacks and carpenters will be occupied with fitting out and finishing the tower with the chapel.
Up until now, the main gate has been left since 2002. At that point, a Châtelet was planned, which would constitute an important defensive structure when fitted with a deadfall, arrow-slits and other defensive embrasures. Now, the design has been slightly reduced in order not to encroach too much into the courtyard.
Another of the significant works this summer is constructing the timber frames intended to carry the roof of the tower with the chapel. To construct this 51 precise frames have to be built, before being fitted to the top of the western tower.
One of the more recent sights is the working medieval water mill, which lies deep in the nearby woodland. Constructed ina partnership with Inrap – Institut national de Recherches Archéologiques preventives – the mill is open from all day with a two-hour midday break. The sluice gates will be opened several times a day, pending weather: drought or storms. The flour made at the mill will be on sale in the museum shop or used to bake the famous bread needed to nourish the workers and craftsmen engaged in the work at the castle.
Special focus this summer is thus on bread baking, medieval pottery, and woodturning. But the mint is also expected to turn out the coins need to pay for the work carried out at the site. However, as usual, it is possible to study all the different crafts which are going into this remarkable venture
VISIT:
Guédelon
89520 Treigny,
France
Guédelon will be open from Monday March 20th until Sunday November 5th 2017
Participation
Guédelon offers working holidays and courses. Minors may only apply on condition that they are aged 16 and are accompanied by an adult. No specific skills are required – only a positive attitude, a desire to learn and an interest in our venture. French is the main language spoken on site; for safety reasons, it is important to speak French. Please note that places on the courses are limited: you should not come to the site to work until you have received confirmation that your application has been successful.
The following courses are offered:
- Individuals (Master builder course = Les Bâtisseurs): The course runs from 4 – 7 days maximum. For safety reasons, unaccompanied minors cannot be accepted on the master builder course.
- Professional work placement (Les stagiaires): This course is designed for students as part of their professional training. Guédelon is a certified heritage skills training centre: we consider applications from French-speaking work experience students for periods ranging from one week up to a month.
- Individuals (Master builder course = Les Bâtisseurs): The course runs from 4 – 7 days maximum. For safety reasons, unaccompanied minors cannot be accepted on the master builder course.
- Professional work placement (Les stagiaires): This course is designed for students as part of their professional training. Guédelon is a certified heritage skills training centre: we consider applications from French-speaking work experience students for periods ranging from one week up to a month.
LEARN MORE:
Numerous books and guides help the visitor to understand the old crafts which are applied at the site of Guédelon.
However, a new DVD (2017) – Guédelon – Nous bâttisons un château fort – shows the project in detail and is useful if you are trying out some of the arts and crafts involved. The DVD is in French but with English and German subtitles.
Realisation : Antoine Pierlot and Yohann Mateo Albaladejo
DVD ZONE 2 – Europe
released: 13.07.2017
Secrets of the castle with Ruth, Peter and Tom
BBC 2015. – 5 episodes
In 2015 historians and archaeologists, Ruth, Peter and Tom, visited Guédelon, where BBC filmed a five-parts series on how they experienced and took part in the work at the castle.
SEE MORE:
New video: A silent flight over Guedélon
FEATURED PHOTO:
Aerial view of Guédelon at the beginning of season 2017 © Guédelon/Denis Gliksman