Guedelon castle & Suisse Normandy

We were at Guedelon 3 years ago and I found it fascinating. We watched a rope-making demonstration, toured the castle and read or watched explanations of the various other crafts involved in the project. Like anything else (museums, gardens, etc) I'm sure some people will find it more interesting than others. I could easily have stayed all day.

I agree with Bob. I went there on a Rick Steves tour so we had a Guedelon guide taking us through. I thought it was extremely interesting. The group spent about an hour at lunch and had I realized all there was to see I would have wolfed down my sandwich and spent more time viewing the various craft stalls.

This was a day where we left from Paris, toured Guedelon and then spent the night in Bourges.

I have not driven in France but just looking at a map, Guedelon seems to be very out of the way going from Mont Saint-Michel to Amboise. Where are you headed after Amboise? Would Guedelon be easier to work in then?

I enjoyed my visit to Guédelon in 2006 and even it was more crowded (mainly retired Frenchman) the one in last September even more. Around ¾ is finished now, so there is much too see and easer to imagine how the castle will look once it will be completed over about 5 years. It is not only entertaining, but very informative too in a very pleasant atmosphere. So could easily have spend more time as the two hours, I think you won’t regret going to this unique place.

The Tourist Office for the Suisse Normande area gives you a nice overview that may help identify a stop of interest to you. But for most people, these would be minor sights, so if you skip them, you probably won't miss them.

I visited Guedelon May of 2017 as part of a Burgundy/Alsace/Champagne loop.

The best part was the demonstrations by the artisans doing the leather, carpentry, tile, weaving, dyeing and/or stone work. Each has an area with demonstrations. It's like a little city.

I asked a carpenter, in French, if he spoke English. He looked at me and said, "I'd better, I'm English." Like others he comes about a month a year to volunteer on the project. They aren't in as big of hurry to finish as they are there to demonstrate the old crafts used in construction.

As far as sights between Normandy and Amboise. I looped around Brittany after MSM then stopped at Fontevraud Abbey, Chinon (traded the car for a bicycle), and the gardens at Villandry on the way to Amboise. I think Vitre would be worth a stop.

we visited the castle in 2017, as others have said, well worth it. it is located by itself ( not near main towns) we drove there, parking was easy. if it is hot when you visit you might want a hat/ sunscreen as its fairly open wandering around between the different areas/trades etc. food was available on site.
hope this helps