Guédelon: A Living Laboratory of 13th-Century Architecture

In the summer of 2025, the Guédelon castle in Burgundy, France, stands as a remarkable achievement – a fully functional early 13th-century French castle, built entirely by hand using only medieval tools and techniques. The project, which began in 1999 with a dozen artisans toiling in a disused quarry, has grown into a living laboratory for studying the past.

Over the past quarter-century, the castle has taken shape, with its perimeter wall, towers, and main gateway now complete. What was once a bare, muddy expanse is now an actual medieval castle, complete with ramparts, turrets, a vaulted great hall, chambers, a chapel, and a working flour mill. The project has evolved into an archaeological, architectural, cultural, historical, and scientific endeavor, praised by experts in various fields.

Guédelon's project manager, Maryline Martin, who has been with the project since the beginning, describes it as "serious play" – a collective quest for fidelity, accuracy, and truth. The artisans, including quarriers, stone cutters, masons, joiners, blacksmiths, and more, have worked tirelessly to rediscover and apply the techniques of the 13th century, often through trial and error. Their efforts have even contributed to the rebuilding of the fire-damaged Notre Dame Cathedral.

Today, Guédelon is one of Burgundy's biggest attractions, drawing 310,000 visitors annually. The project has grown from a bare-bones operation to a thriving enterprise, with car parks, restaurants, shops, and a smart eco-friendly office. But it remains a thoroughly modern endeavor, valuing ecology and nature, and taking only what is needed from the surrounding area.