Tania Sinel: Want to Build A Castle?

Have you ever looked at a Medieval Castle and wondered - “how in the world did they ever build that back then?”

If so, you aren’t alone. In France, a medieval castle is now being built, using only tools and construction methods from that era, in order that we may learn exactly how man was able to build such magnificent buildings without the use of any modern conveniences and utilities. How is this endeavor even being done?

Chateau Saint-Fargeau

The project started here, at this Chateau, in the Burgundy region of France.

Michel Guyot owns this beautiful chateau, which he spent years renovating.

What Guyot didn’t know when he bought this chateau, was that it harbored a secret within its walls.

This hall, overlooking the courtyard at Chateau Saint-Fargeau, has marble floors and marble busts. Notice the beamed ceiling, original to the chateau.

This long hall holds a clue to the chateau’s secret.

The dining room.

The chateau’s secret would eventually be revealed to its unsuspecting owner…

This room is filled with weapons, suits of armor and a row of fabulous iron antique chandeliers.

Once the renovation was completed, Chateau Saint-Fargeau was opened to visitors.

And this is where our story begins.

In the attic, visitors can see the bones of the chateau – which holds the clues to its secrets…

The genesis of the idea to build a medieval castle from the ground up started here, at Chateau Saint-Fargeau. When the owner, Michel Guyot, first purchased the castle, he hired a team of experts to renovate it. After studying the project, the renovators discovered a striking secret: within the walls of the castle was the remains of a medieval castle. On the last page of their renovation proposal, they included a drawing of this “medieval castle within the castle” – as it once looked:

The secret revealed: The drawing of the medieval castle as it once appeared - its stone walls were found still standing, hidden within the newer Chateau Saint-Fargeau, which had been built around this medieval castle.

Here is an aerial view of the castle – you can match up just where the footprints of the original medieval walls are hidden inside this newer chateau.

Once the secret was revealed, Michel Guyot became obsessed with the medieval castle hidden within the walls of his chateau. It was this drawing of the original castle that was the genesis of a building campaign. The renovators had written on this drawing: “Reconstructing Saint-Fargeau would be an amazing project” – and Guyot agreed. Could it even be done?

At that time, Guyot had spent over 20 years saving castles from ruin. To spearhead the project, in 1995, he hired Maryline Martin who was as enthusiastic about rebuilding the hidden medieval castle as he was.

But, after much discussion, in the end, it was decided that rebuilding the original medieval Chateau Saint Fargeau would be cost prohibitive, and that idea was scraped.

But, perhaps ANOTHER medieval castle could be built?

The answer was yes.

Plans were then drawn up to build a new medieval castle from the ground up, using only tools and construction methods from that time period. Investors were found, the location at Guedelon, Burgundy was acquired, and the project was started.

It was to be known as Guedelon Castle.

But first, a fictional back story of the castle was created. The year was 1245 and King Louis IX is on the throne, while over in England King Henry III rules. Westminster Abbey is just being built and the Seventh Crusade is underway, led by King Louis to avenge the fall of Jerusalem to the Persian Sunni Muslim dynasty.

The castle is being built for the fictional “Seigneur Guilbert,” whom, they wrote, fought for the royal army. Seigneur Guilbert was given the money to build a modest castle as thanks for his loyalty. His chateau will be both modest and small compared to other medieval castles. There will be no expensive moat – just a ditch.

With this back story written, the project begins.

The land chosen for the building site is a former quarry, surrounded by forest. All the natural materials required to build the castle are found here: stone, wood, earth, sand and clay. It is from these elements that the building will amazingly rise. The laborers will wear clothes just as those in the medieval times wore. Visitors and volunteers will help to build the castle – and, today, over 300,000 come each year to see the castle and many of these lend a hand with the construction. The entrance fees now completely fund the project – making it a financial success. The laborers here are quarrymen, stonemasons, woodcutters, carpenters, blacksmiths, tile makers and rope makers, amongst others. Since there are no rulers, knots in rope are used as a means of measurement.

Work stops during the cold winters. When the weather warms, laborers from across the globe toil to create Guedelon which now includes within its curtain walls - the Great Hall, the antechamber, the kitchen, the storeroom, the guardrooms, the crenelated wall walks, the Great Tower, the Chapel Tower, the Pigeonniere and the drawbridge.

Here is a drawing of how the castle will look when finished. The Great Hall is at the center of the castle. To its right is the Great Tower, while the Chapel Tower is to its left.

To understand the importance of this project, this is the first medieval castle to be built in 500 years – and the first castle of its kind, using only medieval tools, methods and materials for nearly 800 years.

And here is an actual model that was built, which is now on display at the site.

The site plan, showing the Great Hall and antechamber.

The head architect is Jacques Moulin who drew up the plans. It was Moulin who thought that Guedelon could be both a genuine research project, as well as a visitors attraction. The project thus became not to only finish the building, but also to observe and learn from each phase of its construction. A balance had to be created between a rigorous scientific program and a program that would appeal to visitors.

One change that was made as time went on – the front gate houses were deemed to be too fancy for the modest castle and today, the plans have been altered to build a much less complicated gatehouses than those shown in the drawings.

The layout of the project.

The canopy of shade trees leads to Guedelon Castle in Burgundy.

The Guedelon Castle Project begins in 1997: here is the land, cleared, before the building can start.

In 1998 – the public is invited to come visit for the first time. There are 20 workers who build the perimeter walls. Most visitors aren’t very impressed…yet!

It’s hard, dirty labor, for sure.

By 2000, the Chapel Tower begins to take shape.

Is this the 14th century?????

There is no suspension on these carts which makes for a very bumpy ride.

The signage is in French - Picnic Area, The Mill…

By 2002, the engineering on a corner tower begins in earnest. Notice the spiral stairs.

2004: The Great Hall begins to take shape.

A closer view of the main building where the Great Hall will be.

This does not look like fun. Why are they smiling? I’d be crying!!!

By 2008 - the Great Hall’s second story is being started. It’s been ten years now and this is all that has been built.

As the years go by, the crowds grow larger.

A print of the famous “Artisans of the Middle Ages” hangs on the castle walls for inspiration. It does look remarkably like what is being done today at the castle.

The roof is finally being installed on the Great Hall.

All the mills are powered by water.

2009 – the roof is halfway done on the Great Hall. At the right is the Great Tower. To the left is the Chapel Towel, not yet finished.

A view inside the roof of the Great Hall. First the wood base is built, then the tiles cover the base.

In 2012 - the Chapel Tower with its distinctive window is started.

A view of the Guedelon Castle. The Great Hall is now completed.

A view from outside the walls of the castle. The round wheels are moved from construction area to construction area – the wheels are used to hoist heavy materials up to high elevations.

Like a hamster in his wheel, a worker turns the wheel by using her body weight.

The beautiful window is installed in the Chapel Tower.

From the outside – the window in the Chapel Tower. Below is the covered walkway. A surprise to visitors is how much wood is used on medieval castles – it’s not only stone. But through the centuries - the wood quickly decays, while the stone decays at a much slower rate.

A door in the tower.

What is most interesting to think about is that when you see a medieval castle today – you see the ruin. At Guedelon, nothing is ruined. All the stone is new and the woodwork has not yet decayed, the plaster is still on the walls, and the paint is bright and beautiful.

The interior room of the Chapel Tower – before its stone walls were whitewashed.

A view of the window – and the ceiling of the Chapel Tower now whitewashed. Just beautiful!

The Chapel Tower contains the first rib-vaulted roof to be built with purely medieval techniques in over 600 years.

A lavabo in the Chapel.

The ground floor of the tower – painted in faux stone.

A view lower of the ground floor of the tower.

All the buildings outside of the castle walls are so charming!

A more recent aerial view of Guedelon. The corner towers do not yet have their distinctive pointed cone tops, and the two gate house towers have yet to be finished.

Another view.

The Great Hall, on the top floor. Past the Great Hall is the Anteroom, or the owner’s bedroom. On the ground floor is the storeroom and the kitchen.

Do you notice the roof tiles are darker on the right side of the Great Hall, than on the left? This was caused because the first batch of tiles were left in the oven too long!!

Today the towers are built – just the pointed cone tops are missing.

The walkway along one side of the curtain walls.

And the same hall from the opposite direction.

A corner tower awaits its top.

Stone stairs inside a tower.

There will be no moat – only a dirt ditch. The “owner” Seigneur Guilbert was of modest means and could not afford a more luxurious castle with a moat.

Today, after twenty years of hard labor – the gatehouses are finally being built, scheduled to begin next season, 2018. The main bridge will no longer be usable during the construction of the gatehouses – so a second temporary bridge was built to the side, seen here. Not one nail was used in its construction!,

The temporary side bridge – built for use while the gatehouses are built this coming season, 2018.

Baskets are needed to tote tools and supplies.

The blacksmith.

These women are in charge of dying the thread.

This is a lime kiln, built exactly as it was used in medieval times. The kiln fires for several days and then it is rebuilt. Lime is fired here to create mortar.

The fire must be kept going for at least four days – teams take turn keeping it lit.

Sometimes there are many watching over it – other times, there is just one person in charge.

Geese, chicken and pigs roam freely around the yard.

Paint is made from pigments from the earth and clay. Notice the accurate, for the times, drawings on the walls.

I love these botanicals.

Once the towers have their tops, the castle will look more finished.

Benches were made for the courtyard. The courtyard will not be paved, instead it will be as it is now – packed earth.

First we will visit the Anteroom, or bedroom, located on the second floor – at the very right of the Great Hall. Below, is the kitchen, reached by the door on the right side.

A drawing of how it will look when the Great Tower has its top.

To the very right is the door to the Great Tower. The stairs take you to the Great Hall. The doors to the kitchen are on the ground floor, at the right.

The Anteroom is one the prettiest room in the castle with its walls painted in the style of the day. The King of England’s rooms in the Tower of London had a similar roses and stones pattern.

I love this fireplace! Through the arched door is the Great Hall.

The arched, wood ceiling.

The arched windowseat overlooks the courtyard.

The view of the wall and windowseat that overlooks the courtyard. The mural is not quite finished here.

Close up of the roses pattern. The windows have no glass.

Looking up at the Anteroom’s wood ceiling, which is just amazing!

The paintings on the wall were inspired by the murals on the walls of this ancient monastery in nearby Moutiers.

A close up of the murals. The artists at the castle decided not to portray humans or biblical figures at Guedelon, instead they only painted the flowers, plants, and whimsical forms.

The King’s bedroom in the Tower of London shows the Roses and Stone painted decoration on the stone walls of this medieval castle. This décor was also used as an inspiration for the murals in Guedelon Castle.

To reach the Great Hall, visitors use the outdoor staircase, seen here.

An early view before the floor was installed and the roof tiles were placed over the wood beams.

The Great Hall today is just beautiful!! Two arched windowseats overlook the courtyard. The back windowseat looks out at the Chapel Towers. The floor is tiled. There is a fireplace on the right. But it is the ceiling that is so remarkable.

Dressed for a banquet with a simple table cloth and bench. Above is a flower arrangement.

Another view of the Great Hall.

The ceiling!!!

The arched door that leads to the Great Hall is on the left.

Ready for a party.

Everything was made at the site.

The window – notice how thick the walls are.

And the window seat that looks out to the Chapel Tower. Notice that the window casts a shadow on the tiled floor.

The Great Hall is so pretty – I do wonder if when it is completed, will they rent it out for weddings or banquets?

The Great Hall is on the second floor. At the right of the hall is the Anteroom, or bedroom. On the first floor is a storeroom. Under the Anteroom is the kitchen, which is reached through the door at the very right. At the left is the Chapel Tower with its distinctive window.

Will the castle’s stone be painted when it is completed? Maryline Martin is quoted as saying that, yes, the stone will be painted. White? Probably. But Martin says she would prefer the walls be painted a bright, happy color. Hmmm. I vote for white!

The first floor Storeroom, now painted white, is located under the Great Hall. It is not nearly as grand as the Great Hall, but it is beautiful with its tiled floor and whitewashed walls.

Looking the opposite direction towards the kitchen. These high windows overlook the courtyard.

Beautiful photo of the sunlight streaming in through the high windows.

The kitchen with its simple furniture. Don’t look for it - there’s no refrigerator here!

Leavened bread is made each morning here in the kitchen. If they were Jewish – they would be making unleavened bread, or matzo! LOL!

The baker busy at work.

A night view of the kitchen.

The arched, grilled windowseat in the kitchen that looks out on the courtyard. Notice its interior shutters.

The garden was just recently planted. Herbs used in medicine? Claire Randall Fraser of Outlander would LOVE this garden!

The medieval garden was planted outside the walls of the castle.

When the project is completed in another five years – will anyone ever live here? The answer, at this time, is thought to be “no.” But I do wonder if overnight vacation days won’t be sold here – “sleep two nights in the owner’s bedroom!”

The Great Tower – with its decorated wood door. At the left is the staircase.

The stone stairs to the Great Tower with its rope railing.

The Lord’s Seat in the Great Tower where he can overlook the activities in the courtyard and beyond to the gatehouses.

With daylight streaming in.

The tower’s ceiling was painted white with a faux stone pattern.

From the back side of the Great Hall – an interesting view of the chimneys.

The Bridge that leads to the castle. This next summer season in 2018, the gatehouses will be completed. Notice the small window high up on the Great Tower? That’s the Lord’s windowseat shown in the above photo.

In order to get ready for next summer and the building of the gatehouses – the large wheel was moved here. Laborers walk inside the wheel, similar to how a hamster does!

A thanksgiving banquet held in the garden.

From outside the castle walls – the Carpenter’s House is to the right with its distinctive A-frame roof.

The temporary bridge was built at the side since the main bridge is now closed. This past weekend, all activity at Guedelon Castle ended for the 2017 season! Twenty years completed!!

I can’t wait for next summer to see how the gatehouses will look!!

After the success of Guedelon Castle, a few years ago, a French couple approached Michel Guyot and offered their land in the Ozarks of Arkansas – for him to build another castle, here in America!

Plans were drawn up, funds of $1.5 million were raised, and the 20 year project was begun in Arkansas – on the 50 acre plot. What is worth noting is how different the Arkansas castle looks, due to the stone of the Ozarks, which is white, not yellow like at Guedelon.

The Ozark Medieval Fortress with its white stone walls – it looks so different from Guedelon with its warm stone walls.

Work was begun and the project waited for the visitors to come. They didn’t. Money became an issue. At Guedelon, the success of the project is because it is now completely funded by the visitor fees. In Arkansas, with no food or restroom facilities – word of mouth was negative and the project was put on hold. No one came. It is said they are still looking for funding, with hopes that the project will be finished one day.

For now, the castle is a ruin.