{"id":2408,"date":"2026-04-30T14:39:56","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T12:39:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/?post_type=activite&#038;p=2408"},"modified":"2026-06-09T16:17:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T14:17:15","slug":"guedelon-medieval-construction-site","status":"publish","type":"activite","link":"https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/en\/activite\/chantier-medieval-de-guedelon\/","title":{"rendered":"Gu\u00e9delon Medieval Construction Site"},"content":{"rendered":"<blockquote><p>Located in the heart of the Puisaye region, in the Yonne department of Burgundy, the medieval construction site at Gu\u00e9delon is a project unlike any other in the world. Since 1997, a team of craftsmen has been building a 13th-century fortified castle there, using only the techniques and materials of the period.<\/p>\n<p>Every year, this experimental archaeology site attracts visitors eager to discover how medieval builders actually worked.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2>A unique experimental archaeology project<\/h2>\n<p>Gu\u00e9delon is not a static reconstruction, but a living construction site. Every part of the castle is built using historical tools and methods, directly from locally sourced materials: stone, wood, and earth.<\/p>\n<p>This project combines scientific research, the sharing of expertise, and an immersive experience for visitors.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-2444\" title=\"stone masonry at Gu\u00e9delon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/taille-pierre-guedelon-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"stone masonry at Gu\u00e9delon\" width=\"1024\" height=\"678\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/taille-pierre-guedelon-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/taille-pierre-guedelon-768x509.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-2443\" title=\"woodworking at the Guedelon construction site\" src=\"https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/taille-bois-chantier-guedelon-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"woodworking at the Guedelon construction site\" width=\"1024\" height=\"678\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/taille-bois-chantier-guedelon-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/taille-bois-chantier-guedelon-768x509.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2>The major construction phases of the project<\/h2>\n<h3>1997 \u2013 The start of construction<\/h3>\n<p>The project begins in the heart of the Gu\u00e9delon Forest. An initial team prepares the site, clears the area of brush, sets up the first workshops, and lays out the site for the future castle.<\/p>\n<p>At that time, the construction site was not yet open to the public.<\/p>\n<h3>1998 \u2013 Opening and first climbing walls<\/h3>\n<p>The construction site opened to the public in the spring of 1998. The first structures began to take shape, and the perimeter walls started to rise.<\/p>\n<p>From its very first season, the site has already attracted tens of thousands of visitors.<\/p>\n<h3>1999\u20132002 \u2013 The castle\u2019s foundations<\/h3>\n<p>The following years were devoted to expanding the castle\u2019s perimeter and undertaking the first major construction projects:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>gradually raised city walls<\/li>\n<li>construction of the chapel tower and its underground structures<\/li>\n<li>installation of the first arches<\/li>\n<li>installation of the fixed bridge and lifting systems<\/li>\n<li>early hydraulic works involving cisterns<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In 2002, a major milestone was reached with the completion of the first large ribbed vault.<\/p>\n<h3>2003\u20132006 \u2013 First interior volumes<\/h3>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-2439\" title=\"Guedelon Castle 2005\" src=\"https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/chateau-de-guedelon-2005-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Guedelon Castle 2005\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-2440\" title=\"Guedelon Castle 2009\" src=\"https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/chateau-de-guedelon-2009-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Guedelon Castle 2009\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/chateau-de-guedelon-2009-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/chateau-de-guedelon-2009-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>The construction project is entering a new phase with the creation of the interior spaces:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>ribbed vaults and stone staircases<\/li>\n<li>construction of new workshops made of wood and cob<\/li>\n<li>beginning of the manor house<\/li>\n<li>installation of the first monumental oak beams<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>2007\u20132010 \u2013 The manor house takes shape<\/h3>\n<p>Work on the house is progressing quickly:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>floor plan of the main rooms (kitchen, pantry, great hall)<\/li>\n<li>roof framing<\/li>\n<li>construction of the first functional chimneys<\/li>\n<li>phased construction of the building<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In 2010, the roof framing of the main house was completed.<\/p>\n<h3>2011\u20132019 \u2013 Towers, vaults, and finishes<\/h3>\n<p>In the years that followed, work continued on the towers and the architectural finishes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>construction of the castle's largest vault in the keep<\/li>\n<li>development of walkways<\/li>\n<li>construction of flanking towers<\/li>\n<li>gradual completion of the chapel<\/li>\n<li>coverage of the first rounds<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In 2019, the chapel tower was fully roofed, marking a major milestone in the project.<\/p>\n<p><code><div id=\"brxe-szznqg\" class=\"brxe-block center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/vecteur-cle-chateau-18eme-1024x384.png\" class=\"brxe-image css-filter size-large\" alt=\"Vecteur Cle Ch\u00e2teau, 18th arrondissement\" id=\"brxe-jdvzce\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/vecteur-cle-chateau-18eme-1024x384.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/vecteur-cle-chateau-18eme-768x288.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" title=\"\"><div id=\"brxe-swzmbp\" class=\"brxe-block center\"><span id=\"brxe-fwqfbj\" class=\"brxe-heading title-bloc-resa\">Book your stay in Bourgogne-Franche-Comt\u00e9 at Ch\u00e2teau des Barres<\/span><a id=\"brxe-fksooq\" class=\"brxe-button bricks-button bricks-background-light\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/en\/contacter-gite-chateau-bourgogne\/\">Book my stay<i class=\"ti-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/code><\/p>\n<h2>A vivid journey back to the Middle Ages<\/h2>\n<p>The medieval construction site at Gu\u00e9delon offers a hands-on look at how castles were built in the Middle Ages.<\/p>\n<p>Visitors can watch the artisans at work, talk with them, and learn about the techniques used in the 13th century.<\/p>\n<h2>Eating at the Gu\u00e9delon medieval construction site<\/h2>\n<p>There are several dining options available on site:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Breakfast at the market hall<\/li>\n<li>homemade dishes for lunch<\/li>\n<li>indulgent snacks<\/li>\n<li>a restaurant inspired by medieval cuisine<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Stay at a bed-and-breakfast near Gu\u00e9delon: the Ch\u00e2teau des Barres<\/h2>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1622 size-full alignnone\" title=\"Ch\u00e2teau des Barres, storefront, park, near Paris, Saint-Puits\" src=\"https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/chateau-des-barres-devanture-parc-proche-paris-saintpuits.jpg\" alt=\"Ch\u00e2teau des Barres, storefront, park, near Paris, Saint-Puits\" width=\"1600\" height=\"899\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/chateau-des-barres-devanture-parc-proche-paris-saintpuits.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/chateau-des-barres-devanture-parc-proche-paris-saintpuits-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/chateau-des-barres-devanture-parc-proche-paris-saintpuits-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/chateau-des-barres-devanture-parc-proche-paris-saintpuits-1536x863.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1815 size-full\" title=\"Yonne Park, Ch\u00e2teau des Barres, Saint-Puits Bed &amp; Breakfast\" src=\"https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/parc-yonne-chateau-des-barres-gite-saintpuits.jpg\" alt=\"Yonne Park, Ch\u00e2teau des Barres, Saint-Puits Bed &amp; Breakfast\" width=\"1350\" height=\"1800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/parc-yonne-chateau-des-barres-gite-saintpuits.jpg 1350w, https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/parc-yonne-chateau-des-barres-gite-saintpuits-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/parc-yonne-chateau-des-barres-gite-saintpuits-1152x1536.jpg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1350px) 100vw, 1350px\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>To extend your visit, you can stay at the Ch\u00e2teau des Barres, located nearby in the Yonne department.<\/p>\n<p>This family-owned castle offers the perfect place to stay for exploring Gu\u00e9delon and the surrounding area in comfort. Combining history, nature, and comfort, it\u2019s the ideal base for a stay in Burgundy.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/en\/contact-gite-chateau-bourgogne\/\">For more information or to book a vacation rental near Gu\u00e9delon, click here.<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":2411,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false},"tags":[4],"class_list":["post-2408","activite","type-activite","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-visites-patrimoine"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/activite\/2408","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/activite"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/activite"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2411"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2408"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.chateau-des-barres.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2408"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}