INTRODUCTION
In the heart of Puisaye, in Yonne, Burgundy, a team of fifty people have taken on an extraordinary feat : to build a castle using the very same techniques and materials used in the Middle Ages.
The materials needed for the construction of the castle Рwood, stone, earth, sand and clay Рare all to be found here, in this abandoned quarry. Before the gaze of thousands of visitors, all the trades associated with castle-building : quarrymen, stonemasons, woodcutters, carpenters, blacksmiths, tile makers, basket makers, rope makers, carters and their horses are working together to complete the castle. Work on the site began in 1997 and is scheduled to take 25 years to complete. Gu̩delon offers a unique opportunity to witness the different stages of a castle's construction; each phase being of interest in its own right. Let yourself be transported from the present day, back to the sights and sounds of a 13th century construction site. Gu̩delon offers something for everyone : academics, historians, teachers, students and families.
THE STORY BEGINS
Michel Guyot, owner and restorer of Saint-Fargeau castle in Yonne, is the man behind this "idée folle". In 1979, Michel's and his brother Jacques' childhood passion for historic buildings brought them to buy Saint-Fargeau castle for a few thousand francs. Back then, the castle was in a state of near dereliction: miles of roofing to repair, the roof timbers in dire need of attention, the walls cracking. In order to raise funds for the restoration work, the brothers enlisted the help of the local community and staged a grand scale re-enactment of the castle's history. Over the last 20 years the money raised from these performances has saved Saint-Fargeau.
It is a real pleasure to find these stones, scattered by time, and to re-assemble them once more. When I succeed, it's a real blessing. It's a great feeling to be a small link in the chain, to contribute to, and pass on a part of human history"
VISITOR WARNING !
Guédelon is a genuine building site and not a staged performance. The idea of programming demonstrations at set times is out of the question. The order in which work takes place on the site is determined by the real demands of the construction process itself. Each task, each piece of work is undertaken strictly according to what needs to be done on site at a given moment.
Furthermore, due to its ever-changing character, activity on site differs from day-to-day. For this reason, it is quite possible that on each of your visits, you will see different tasks being carried out, Guédelon is in the départment of Yonne in Burgundy, on the D955 road between the towns of Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye and Saint-Amand-en-Puisaye.
THE TEAM
Realizing an exploit such as this, demands a team of highly skilled and committed workers. In total, 50 people are employed at Guédelon. On the building site itself, 32 employees are split between 11 different trades. Coming from a wide range of backgrounds, graduates, experienced craftsmen and complete novices together form a strong, competent, dynamic and motivated team, led by the project's master-mason, Florian Renucci. He is the man charged with executing the plans drawn up by Jacques Moulin (Chief Architect at Monuments Historiques) and with ensuring that the research findings of Guédelon's Scientific Committee are implemented on site. With a Philosophy M.A. and a History of Art and Archeology degree under his belt, Florian worked for six years in companies specializing in the restoration of historic buildings. In 1998 he came to Guédelon as a stone cutter and within two years was appointed site manager.
Extra seasonal staff boost the number of people working on site during the busy summer season. Visitors' desire to play an active role in the construction prompted the project's organizers to accommodate their enthusiasm. Consequently Guédelon welcomes trainees, private individuals and students wishing to participate actively on site
PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS
Chantier Médiéval de Guédelon
D955 89520 TREIGNY
- Opening
Guédelon is open from 1Oth March to 2nd November 2008
Closed on Wednesday, except in July and August.
10th to 31st March
Open Monday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm
Closed on Wednesday
1st April to 30th June
10am to 6pm, Monday to Friday
10am to 7pm, Sunday and Bank Holidays.
Closed on Wednesday
July and August
Open daily 10am to 7pm
September
10am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
10am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday
1st October to 2nd November
10am to 5.30pm, Monday to Sunday
Closed on Wednesday
Please note : last admission 1 hour before site closure
- Access
By Road :
40 minutes from Auxerre via the D965
2 hours from Paris, via A6, onto A77 (exit junction 21)
1 hour 40 minutes from Orléans via N60
1 hour from Nevers, exit A77 junction 22
2 hours from Dijon, exit A6 junction 21
GPS co-ordinates:
3°09'17'' EAST
47°34'53'' NORTH
By Rail :
– Cosne sur Loire station
(Paris РNevers line) 26km from Gu̩delon
– Migennes station
(Paris РDijon line) 46km from Gu̩delon
Please note there are no connecting services to Guédelon from these stations.
By Air :
– Paris – Orly airport
- Other informations
Meals and light refreshments available on site from the Guédelon tavern.
Medieval themed cuisine; open-air restaurant with sheltered tables.
Meals and à la carte menu.
Reservation essential for group bookings only
80% of the site is accessible to people with limited mobility.
Dogs are welcome with responsible owners; all dogs must be kept on leads.
Woodland picnic area provided on site (canvas-covered tables).
Toilets and disabled access toilets on site.
Work on site stops between 1pm and 2pm; however the site remains open to the public
Gift shop stocks a range of high-quality gifts, cards, books and souvenirs.
All major credit cards, euro cheques, cheques vacances and cash payment accepted.
Your entrance ticket allows re-admission to the site throughout the day of your visit.
Tourist information office in entrance barn.
Public telephone available.