Favorite Chateau around Beaune? Guedelon Medieval Site?

It certainly is interesting to see Guedelon. They build it using the same methods and tools as our ancestors did. Chenonceau and Chambaurd are the most famous chateaus and worth seeing. Of course there are many more. All restaurants around are very good. Well, it's in France.

I have been to both.. Chenouceau is a Palace.. Gudelon is a castle.. I loved seeing both .. as they are completely different sites and eras..

My dd and I visited Gudelon about 6 years ago.. on a RS Family tour.. ( 14 kids on this tour aged aprox 10-17) and I think most considered it more fun and interesting then visiting a palace( my dd has also visited several palaces with me independently )
Its done as a living museum.. everyone is era appropriate clothing.. and using only the tools that were era correct.. they explain so much to you.. it is fascinating.. but.. its not like seeing the opulent décor and beautiful exteriors of the chateaus..

I personally could not recommend on over the other I would make your kids decide. My children have all had trips to Europe.. my dd at 11, my sons at 13 ( these were separate one on one trips with myself or dad) .. and all my kids were responsible to contribute some research equity into the trip.

Your kids are much older.. make they figure it out. You are already treating them to a great vacation .. and kids seem to enjoy trips more if they are not just being taken along.. but have contributed to the itinerary.

Rochpot is not far from Beaune and it's a nice drive through vineyards and pastures of white cattle. The architecture is typical of Burgundy.

Chateau de la Rochepot, right outside of Beaune, is a nice visit. The Loire chateaux are way too far away to do as a day trip. I very highly recommend Fontenay Abbey. Semur-En-Auxois is a very nice nice town to stop in for lunch.

Thanks! I should have mentioned that dd and ds are indeed helping to form our itinerary. Ds found Guedelon. I am happy to know it is on a RS itinerary! We will definitely add it to ours. And La Rochepot as well. Dd had picked Fontenay already, so I am happy to have the endorsement.
Happy travels!

Ds? Dd?

Dear Daughter and Dear Son -- internet abbreviations.

DN = Dear Nigel.

Regarding the new build castle at Guedelon, there have been a number of TV shows about it. There was a recent multi part documentary with 3 re-enactors dressing in period clothes and learning all the crafts. Don't remember the name, I think it was on Channel 4, good fun if you can find it, although I think all episodes were an hour long.

Guédelon is lovely, entertaining and educating at the same time. Nigel you certainly mean BBC 2 broadcasted last January “Secrets of the Castle with Ruth, Peter and Tom”. For some clips see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04sv5nc

I agree with Semur-en-Auxois and stunning Abbey de Fontenay ,Vézelay is worth a visit too. There are many chateaux in Burgundy, so try to collect more info about what to expect there. I liked to visit Rochepot but was closed, however the visit to Bussy-Rabutin north-east of Semur was anyway worth the effort.

Hi from Avallon,
Was at Guedelon a couple days ago. It has been the most visited site we have visited in five weeks. The Normande landing beaches were empty. Chartres, we nearly had it to ourselves at times. The Guedelon car park was nearly full on April 27 after 2PM. I don't know what they do in July. Maybe someone can address that topic.

While the car park was nearly full, the actually site didn't seem crowded at all. It is a big place. We thought it was worth our 12 Euro each to get in. Parking was free.

wayne iNFR

Thanks for the info!

HI Sherrie,
Heading to guedelon tomorrow. I'll give feedback on my return.
Semur and Roche pot are great, though.

Thanks Darren! Have fun'

Great Michelin dining opportunity at Abbaye de la Bussiere

Thanks Phred! I'll check it out.

Hi Sherrie,
Go to Guedelon! In this region of France, its definitely one of the coolest sites to visit. There is so much more than the (unfinished) castle. A village of tilers, farmers, stone cutters, carpenters, etc. Great picnic area and fun trails and activities as well. I intend to go back many times on future trips. Loire chateaux are great, very different experience, but they're pretty far from burgundy.

Thanks for the update Darren. It sounds great. Was there somewhere nearby to pick up picnic supplies, or should we plan to bring it with us?
Thanks!
Sherrie

They actually have 3 cafes/taverns/restaurants to buy food at a counter to eat on site. Wine and beer, too. Quite good, honestly.
Nothing to buy near there, though. So, if you want to use their free picnic pavilions, bring supplies with you.

Thank you Darren! Enjoy the rest of your trip!