It's such a crazy – and such a French – idea that it's genius: build a medieval fortified castle from scratch using only the technologies, materials and tools available in the 13th century. Work started in 1997 and has been going on ever since at the same leisurely pace that saw medieval cathedrals take a century or more to construct. No electricity or power tools here: stone is quarried on-site using iron hand tools forged by a team of blacksmiths, who also produce vital items such as door hinges. Clay for tiles is fired for three days using locally cut wood, and mortar is transported in freshly woven wicker baskets.
All around the site, you can see skilled artisans – their labors informed by archaeological research – hard at work, doing literally everything by hand; they're happy to talk to visitors about their craft. Child-oriented activities include stone carving (using especially soft stone). Wear closed shoes as the site is often a sea of muck.
Guédelon is 45km southwest of Auxerre and 7km southwest of St-Sauveur-en-Puisaye, with plenty of signposts to guide you as you draw near. Admission is €1 cheaper online.
