Guédelon, Treigny

An astonishing project, craftsmen are building a medieval castle from scratch using traditional methods and tools. There is ample parking. The toilet facilities, like all on offer are well maintained and clean. Visitors can wander as they please through the complex, watching craftspeople at work. The castle is only part of the attraction, nearby in the woods are medieval workshops and buildings. We did not try the restaurants, apparently the food is good.

This place is a living museum and it is great. The craftsmen here are reconstructing a medieval castle using the same tools, materials, and methods they used in the middle ages during the reign of Philippe II. They have been working on it for years and years, and the castle will be completed in a few years (2025 was an estimate given by a mason working there) Around the castle you will find all sorts of workshops where they are crafting the tools and materials needed to create the castle. You will find things like a smith, a carpenter, a quarry, a mortar maker, a stone worker, a dye and paint maker, a watermill, and many more things. The people working there are all dressed in medieval clothes, and they are happy to explain the things they're working on and teach you the techniques. It is super interesting, but you will have a hard time talking to the craftsmen if you do not speak French. There are signs all over the place in both French and English, but the staff only speak French. You will also find more modern facilities near the entrance, such as a restaurant and a souvenir shop, and they also have a decent number of bathrooms. The place is a great place to bring kids, and you can easily spend a full day there, but keep in mind though that the ground is very uneven and not great for strollers, prams, or wheel chairs. The restaurant is very expensive, and the servings are tiny, so I really recommend that you bring your own food. There are plenty of picnic areas at the place and you are welcome to bring your own food and drink if you prefer to do that.