More than 25 years ago, Michel Guyot, the owner of a French chateau, launched an experimental castle-building project. Workers using tools and techniques from the 13th century have now completed most of Guédelon Castle, and about 300,000 visitors a year come to watch and learn.

An aerial view of a small medieval-style castle in a wooded area.Aufort Jerome / GettyAn aerial view of Guédelon Castle in Treigny, France, in 2023Stonecutters in medieval-style clothing work at a construction site.Jacky Naegelen / Hans Lucas / ReutersStonecutters work at the construction site of the Chateau de Guédelon on June 25, 2005.A person in medieval clothing stands at the building site of a castle.Xavier Rossi / Gamma-Rapho / GettyA person in medieval-style clothing observes the building site of Guédelon Castle in June 2002.A blacksmith in medieval attire works at an anvil.Thierry Perrin / Gamma-Rapho / GettyA blacksmith in period attire works at the Guédelon Castle site on April 12, 2018.Two people walk inside the wheels of a medieval treadwheel crane, lifting material at a castle construction site.Godong / Universal Images Group / GettyTwo people walk inside the “squirrel cage,” a medieval treadwheel crane, to lift material at the construction site in 2011.A view of a small castle, under constructionAufort Jerome / GettyA view of the castle, under construction, as seen in 2023.A person prepares a medieval dish for tourists visiting the construction site of Guédelon Castle.Philippe Desmazes / AFP / GettyA person prepares a medieval dish for tourists visiting the construction site of Guédelon Castle on July 15, 2014.A carpenter uses an old hand-saw to cut into a thick piece of lumber at a construction site.Jacky Naegelen / Hans Lucas / ReutersOn June 25, 2005, a carpenter prepares a log to be used for the construction of the castle.A stoneworker pours water onto stones and mortar being placed in a circle atop a round chamber.Jacky Naegelen / Hans Lucas / ReutersA stoneworker pours water onto stones and mortar being placed on September 13, 2016.Timbers support the roof of the Great Hall of the castle.Godong / Universal Images Group / GettyTimbers support the roof of the Great Hall inside of Guédelon Castle.A woman plays with geese beside a medieval-era cart.Jacky Naegelen / Hans Lucas / ReutersA woman plays with geese at the construction site on September 13, 2016.A visitor enters the castle from the courtyard.Arnaud Finistre / AFP / GettyA visitor enters the castle from the courtyard on June 23, 2025.A carpenter works on support timbers for a rounded roof.Xavier Rossi / Gamma-Rapho / GettyA carpenter works on support timbers for a rounded roof in June 2002.Several young people work on a wood-shingled roof.Albert Ceolan / De Agostini / GettyYoung women work on a shingled roof at the castle construction site in 2019.A close view of stonework and an arched opening in a castle wallGodong / Universal Images Group / GettyA close view of stonework and an arched opening in the castle wall.Visitors walk the grounds and castle walls at the construction site.Arnaud Finistre / AFP / GettyVisitors tour the construction site of Guédelon Castle on June 23, 2025.Children and adults sit at a table during a medieval construction workshop, with many hand-built wooden hammers laid out.Stephane Mouchmouche / Hans Lucas / ReutersChildren and adults attend a construction workshop led by a worker at the castle on April 29, 2023.A school group walks outside a medieval-style castle.Arnaud Finistre / AFP via GettyA school group tours the Guédelon construction site in Treigny, France, on June 23, 2025.

From The Atlantic via this RSS feed