Guédelon

Guédelon is a globally unique experimental archaeology project where a 13th-century medieval castle is being constructed in the heart of Burgundy using exclusively the techniques and materials of that era. Started in 1997 in Treigny, the initiative aims to better understand and scientifically document the construction processes and craftsmanship of our ancestors. The artisans, including stonemasons, carpenters, blacksmiths, and basket weavers, use only tools based on historical sources. The project follows a fictional historical timeline, stating that construction began in 1228 under a fictional lord named Guilbert. Visitors can witness the construction progress firsthand, observing the production of lime mortar, the carving of sandstone, and the transport of materials by horse-drawn carts. Guédelon serves not only as a tourist attraction but also as an open-air laboratory for historians and architects from around the world. Completion of the castle is expected in the 2030s, with the walls, the keep, and the chapel already largely finished. It is a remarkable example of living history and sustainable craftsmanship.

Nearby cities

Tours

Tours is a historic city on the Loire and a great starting point for the castles of the Loire Valley.

Orléans

Orléans is closely tied to Joan of Arc and is a tradition-rich Loire city with a strong historic core.

Bourges

Bourges is a historic city with a grand Gothic cathedral, half-timbered houses, and a calm cityscape.

Blois

Blois is a Loire city with a castle, narrow streets, and an important role in the history of the French kings.

Châteauroux

Châteauroux is the largest city in the Indre department and a central administrative and commercial hub of the Berry region.

Chartres

Chartres is known for its famous cathedral and its well-preserved historic center on the Eure.

Tours-Sud

Tours-Sud is an area with modern urban infrastructure south of the Loire.

Dreux

A history-steeped city on the edge of Normandy, famous for its Royal Chapel and as the burial place of the House of Orléans.

Vierzon

A historic industrial city in the heart of France, at the confluence of five rivers, known for its agricultural machinery production.

Olivet

An upscale riverside city south of Orléans, renowned for its scenic promenades along the Loiret River and its historic water-front estates.

Fleury-les-Aubrais

A dynamic railway city located north of Orléans in the heart of the Centre-Val de Loire region.

Romorantin-Lanthenay

The capital of the Sologne region, famous for its ties to Leonardo da Vinci and its Matra industrial heritage.

Saint-Jean-de-Braye

A dynamic city on the Loire, known as a hub for the luxury cosmetics industry and a key part of the Orléans metropolitan area.

Vendôme

A historic City of Art and History on the banks of the Loir, famous for its medieval abbey and picturesque canals.

Lucé

A modern neighbor of Chartres, recognized for its extensive sporting facilities and green spaces.