Guedelon

We visited Guedelon 8 years ago and it was wonderful! From the pictures I have seen, they have made a lot of progress since we were last there. We did not have a car and rented one for the day. I cannot remember how long it took - maybe an hour and a half - but I would check on that. We also made special arrangements ahead of time for an English speaking tour but it was so long ago that they are probably easier to come by now. I am not sure about places to stay as we just drove out for the day. We really enjoyed it, though and it is definitely something that many travelers don't take the time to do.

We did and highly recommend it. The closest small town is Saint Fargeau. The same man who is financing Guedelon has a chateau there and I believe there are hotels. After that you have Auxerre, but that's out of the way for you to the east., and Chablis is just east of Auxerre. To keep you on track for the Dordogne, you may want to head direction Orleans for the night.

Did you get my note about Crecy being under water? The main street had over a meter.

Oh wow. I love Crecy and am sorry that the canals haven't stayed put. Hope there isn't too much damage.

Hi Janet, I visited Guedelon as part of the RS Paris and the Heart of France tour in 2009. It was interesting to see the building techniques used in medieval times. There were several tour groups and school groups there at the same time, but the buildings were spread out so it didn't seem crowded. We had a picnic lunch then continued on to Bourges. A very pleasant day!

Knowing what you are usually looking for Guédelon will be really of interest for you. This year I had the plan to go to Burgundy but the weather in Normandy and Brittany was better, so changed my plan. Otherwise Saint-Fargeau and Guédelon were on the list, the latter to see how the project has progressed since my visit ten years back. I think worth a stop is Rogny-Les-Sept-Écluses if it is on your route and Pont-canal de Briare another interesting project by Gustave Eiffel. South of Vézélay the plan was to visit Château de Bazoches, the home of Vauban.

thanks. We are driving to Cadouin over two days arriving the third to take a cottage. We are looking for a good stopping place fairly close to Paris -- thinking Guedelon area for that and then a second stop fairly close to the Dordogne with a long drive that second day between. Our plan is to shop to stock the place at a supermarket near Cadouin and take the cottage at 4 pm as we have to then drive to pick up friends in Bergerac at 7.

Would welcome suggestions for stops near Guedelon and near (200 km or so) from Cadouin.

We were there last September. I am really glad we went it, it was truly unique and I can safely say they will be at it for a few more years, much longer if they decide to build the chapel. The site is really accessible and you can see everything they are doing. It is is a very rural area. We stayed at a B&B a few miles away, the hosts were charming but there was very little to choose from foe dinner in the evening. Guedelon is only about 30 miles and 45 minutes from Auxere and if we were to do it again we would base out of Auxere. Have fun.

Janet we had thought of going last year, and as I was doing research, I found online several video clips of the site, featuring docents there. It was done by the BBC.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04sv5nc