Hi, I have noticed that as I have searched the internet I've seen lots of British and Scandanavian living history museums (the kind where people wear period clothes, perform jobs and crafts from bygone eras, etc - like Williamsburg in the US). However, I can't seem to find the equivalent thing in France (hoping for a reasonable day trip from Paris) I am guessing because I search the net in English, and probably the sites are in French and I don't knwo what terms to search in French. Can anyone tell me of any medieval villages, castles, that sort of thing? I know I have seen them on TV - whenever a discovery channel show needs a shot of a medieval crane, or trebuchet they always seem to be in France!
I'm also interested in any well-interpreted archaeological sites, but my trip is too short to go to Dordogne.
Thank you, signed, not a big fan of impressionist paintings (which seem to be the lion's share of most guidebooks)
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
The word in French for what you're looking for is "ecomusee" (nothing to do with environmentalism in the English-language sense). Not my thing, so I can't recommend specific ones.
Posted by
OP
Stratford, NJ, USA
5 posts
Thank you I will search that term!
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Yes, there is a such a place, in fact it is a designated World Heritage site.
Provins. A daytrip from Paris. Jousting shows, hawking and falconing shows,, etc etc.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
Thanks for posting the question Diana. I googled it and it looks really good. We'll be in Paris again next May and this is something we'd definitely love to do. Thanks Pat!!
Posted by
OP
Stratford, NJ, USA
5 posts
Yes thank you good information!
This is something one can only see in Europe.
Posted by
NYC
8 posts
This is great to know Pat. I wonder why Rick doesn't mention it in his guidebook.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Rick does not mention alot of things,,entire neighborhoods in Paris do not even exist to him,, LOL Actually, its not that RS is not a great tour guide and expert on travel in Europe,,its just there is SO MUCH , he has to narrow down what he promotes so that he can stay on top of it all.
Thats why ,, although this is a great forum, and I like his guide books,, and have even taken one of his tours,,I am not "exclusively " a "Rickie" there are many great guides and many other good forums.. and I find each one has different strengths, weaknesses and areas of expertise.
Posted by
Ohio
2161 posts
Diana - Earlier this year I visited the Chateau de Guédelon. It’s about a 2 hour drive from Paris near Auxerre. They are building an authentic castle using only the techniques and materials used in the Middle Ages. Construction started in 1996 (I think it’s a 25 year project). The project is using only period construction techniques and costumes. Materials, including wood and stone, are obtained locally. We had an English-speaking tour guide. I thought it was really interesting.