French project

[Gareth Hughes]

Might be of interest for anyone wanting do a more robust new build project:

http://www.guedelon.fr/en/the-construction/1997---2008-building-timetable_03_05.html

 

[Nigel Watts]

The idea of building a complex stone-vaulted ceiling has always fascinated me. The picture of this is mouthwatering!

 

[MdB]

Interesting project. I'm glad it isn't my project though...

 

[Penners]

Described on one of the web pages as an idée folle - and who could disagree? Fascinating, though, and you have to admire the guy who's undertaken it.

If Madame P et moi visit France this year, I might try to divert to have a look at it.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Magnifique - ah, the inimitable style of the French. I do love the way that all the builders appear to be wearing period costume as well, including Florian Renucci, the project manager. Wouldn't catch builders here donning fustian and breeches, more's the pity.

A most interesting read Gareth. It doesn't look very difficult. We need more castles in this country, please.

 

[Gareth Hughes]

It seems the Americans have got in on the act:
http://www.ozarkmedievalfortress.com/

 

[JoceAndChris]

Hmm, well, what in France is romantique in America is vulgar I'm afraid. Too much catapulting for my taste.

 

[Penners]

No doubt it will add to the chain of castles that spanned the USA during the medieval period.



:roll:

 

[Gareth Hughes]

No doubt it will add to the chain of castles that spanned the USA during the medieval period.



:roll:

You're not exaggerating - have a quick google for "Newport Tower" :roll:

 

[Pford75]

On the US project, I do admire their willingness to engage in projects like this. Can you imagine someone trying to build a medieval castle in this country using traditional techniques - it would be tied up in planning, H&S and appeals for years.

I did some work with the Egyptian cultural secretary some years ago when they were assessing the possibility of constructing a pyramid (albeit on a smaller scale) and doing so without any modern tools. The idea was for it to become both a historical study as well as a tourist attraction, but it never materialised. Always thought it would have been very interesting

 

[ilona73]

On the US project, I do admire their willingness to engage in projects like this. Can you imagine someone trying to build a medieval castle in this country using traditional techniques - it would be tied up in planning, H&S and appeals for years.

I did some work with the Egyptian cultural secretary some years ago when they were assessing the possibility of constructing a pyramid (albeit on a smaller scale) and doing so without any modern tools. The idea was for it to become both a historical study as well as a tourist attraction, but it never materialised. Always thought it would have been very interesting

Thats such a shame that would ahve been most interesting... i too would love to build my own castle.. i have a fascination for them.. i must have lived in one as a past life which would explain my penchent for everything on a grand scale ... but knowing my luck i was there probably as a skivvy hahaha xx

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Looking at those pictures made me feel quite exhausted. What a fantastic labour of love that is!

 

[LadyArowana]

Thats such a shame that would ahve been most interesting... i too would love to build my own castle.. i have a fascination for them.. i must have lived in one as a past life which would explain my penchent for everything on a grand scale ... but knowing my luck i was there probably as a skivvy hahaha xx

This is only 19thC, but it looks like a little castle, http://www.primelocation.com/uk-property-for-sale/details/id/SABH_184283 I fancied playing Princess but it is too far from the nearest glass slipper shop.

 

[ilona73]

Thats such a shame that would ahve been most interesting... i too would love to build my own castle.. i have a fascination for them.. i must have lived in one as a past life which would explain my penchent for everything on a grand scale ... but knowing my luck i was there probably as a skivvy hahaha xx

This is only 19thC, but it looks like a little castle, http://www.primelocation.com/uk-property-for-sale/details/id/SABH_184283 I fancied playing Princess but it is too far from the nearest glass slipper shop.

Now you are talking!!!
Although i must admit to being a tad disappointed with some of the perfect walls etc in there ... i think i would have to rough it up round the edges a bit and make the interior far grander than they have!
Its not a bad price either.... but just a bit out of my price range... having lived 30 miles from the nearest supermarket before i think i could cope pretty well...
I would have a good go!!!

 

[JoceAndChris]

Oh, LadyA, isn't that just lovely? Please buy it and we'll all bring you as many glass slippers as you like.


I agree with ilona though, it needs an awful lot of castleification on the inside to bring it up to scratch, and the extension might have to go too.

 

[JoceAndChris]

No doubt it will add to the chain of castles that spanned the USA during the medieval period.



:roll:

You're not exaggerating - have a quick google for "Newport Tower" :roll:

That appears to be an awful lot of fuss over not much?

 

[LadyArowana]

Oh, LadyA, isn't that just lovely? Please buy it and we'll all bring you as many glass slippers as you like.


I agree with ilona though, it needs an awful lot of castleification on the inside to bring it up to scratch, and the extension might have to go too.

I think that it was run as a B & B at one point, it's been for sale for over a year. It went under offer very quickly but the sale must have fallen through as it never showed as sold. It is right by the main road, logical for a gatehouse I suppose! Even with lots of kind people bringing me shoes I couldn't survive without some footmen, ladies in waiting and a carriage driver, so if anyone could spare their fairy godmother for a while...........

 

[Penners]

No doubt it will add to the chain of castles that spanned the USA during the medieval period.



:roll:

You're not exaggerating - have a quick google for "Newport Tower" :roll:

Well, I did so and read the Wikipedia information with interest.

However, I reckon it's all rubbish. Newport Tower was clearly built by Julia Morgan for William Randolph Hearst.

 

[Gareth Hughes]

On the US project, I do admire their willingness to engage in projects like this. Can you imagine someone trying to build a medieval castle in this country using traditional techniques - it would be tied up in planning, H&S and appeals for years.

I did some work with the Egyptian cultural secretary some years ago when they were assessing the possibility of constructing a pyramid (albeit on a smaller scale) and doing so without any modern tools. The idea was for it to become both a historical study as well as a tourist attraction, but it never materialised. Always thought it would have been very interesting

There was an Oxford student in the 70s who missed out on getting planning permission for a 500' pyramid on Christ Church Meadow, to serve as his mausoleum and be built by compulsorily-conscripted first-year undergraduates, by one vote - after the city engineer pointed out that its shadow would require the street lights to be left on all day.

 

[stefan]

I'm worried that once they've finished the castle they might decide to invade Britain (using traditional materials of course).