I’m going to Gedron Castle, do you want to go with me?” I was invited by a friend.
Gedron Castle is a castle that began as the idea of one French castle enthusiast who kept buying old castles and repairing them. It is a famous castle in France, but I have never had a chance to visit it before because of its inconvenient accessibility. Of course, “I’ll go! I immediately replied.
The castle construction project began in 1997 in this part of Burgundy, which was chosen because of its easy access to building materials. The reason why it has taken so long is that the castle is being built from scratch using 13th century technology. The reason why it is taking so long is that the castle is being built from scratch using 13th century technology, and not by repairing an existing castle.
Gedron Castle currently employs about 70 people. In addition, many others work as trainees or volunteers. The person who invited me to visit the castle this time was also a long-time volunteer guide here.
The atmosphere in the castle and the surrounding village is perfect, as these staff members are dressed and working the way they did in those days. Since it is a village, there are fields, a water mill, horses, donkeys, goats, and sheep.
The village’s dye workshop dyes yarn using soil, stones, and plants from the surrounding area. There is also a knife casting workshop and a wood processing workshop.
Building materials for the completed castles are transported using a combination of wooden spinning wheels and pulleys.
Gedron Castle actively encourages children to visit. Children and adults alike are sure to have their intellectual curiosity stimulated by a corner where they can experience how the round arches at the entrance were built, and where they are shown how to draw blueprints on the soil with simple tools.
Gedron Castle can be visited from April to about the beginning of November. The admission fee is 15 euros for adults. I took the train from Paris to Gare de Joigny station, and then my friend drove me there. If you go directly from Paris by car, it takes about 2 hours. From this year, a special car service from Paris to Gedron Castle is available only during the summer, so depending on the time of year, it may be easier to get there than before.
The Gedron castle has become a very famous tourist attraction in Burgundy, attracting 300,000 visitors in one season. Even those who came once come again and again to see what has happened since then. I wish I could go back!
© Source travel watch