Challenge the laws of balance at the Donjon de Gouzon in Chauvigny
kids choice
©Amélie R. Photographies - Pomme-verte 
Have you always wanted to know how our medieval ancestors were able to build buildings like the St. Peter's Collegiate Church à Chauvigny ? So follow the master builder of Dungeon of Gouzon at Industrial Archeology Museum et become his apprentice for a few hours. And to really motivate you, let's go on site with Jeanne and her mother who did this activity " Expériences Famille " in preview.
Apprentice builders
On this beautiful day in August, we wanted, with my daughter Jeanne, to make a manual activity à Chauvigny, after attending the Sky Giants show, so we went to thethe Tourist Office. He advised us to go to Dungeon of Gouzon for become apprentice builders for a few hours. A few meters away, our new project manager was waiting for us, who was responsible for teaching us the basics of building a Romanesque vault.
No time to blow with him! We drank these exciting explanations of the tools used in the different stages of the preparation of the stone as well as on the medieval construction techniques used in the various monuments of this magnificent medieval city. He told us, in great detail, how the Dungeon of Gouzon, where we were, the Saint-Pierre collegiate church and Harcourt Castle had been made. These buildings dating back several hundred years still majestically dominate the city today, giving it a very special atmosphere.
What if we built a medieval building?
Once all the information has been stored, our guide has several wooden elements in front of us with instructions to follow the principles he had just taught us to rebuild in our turn a fundamental element of medieval constructions: a Romanesque vault.
The hardest part here is to make everything hold together, in balance. There are a lot of laughs with Jeanne since often, a misplaced piece and everything has to start over. Construction is an art! After 45 mins, we finally manage to build something that holds up, victory ! Our project manager comes to inspect our work and congratulates us with our diploma of builders. We are now in a position to use what we have learned with him by continuing to exercise our know-how with other buildings to be rebuilt.
Once out of the dungeon, we finish our visit of the medieval city on foot quietly. We discover five castles grouped on the same site, constituting a unique set in Europe. All were built with Chauvigny stone, which is also present in the manufacture of the most beautiful buildings erected in the world.
If, like Jeanne and her mother, you love those out-of-the-ordinary moments when you put your creativity to the test with your family, find other suggestions for activities and experiences with the Expériences Famille or the geocaching game Tèrra Aventura.
Also remember to consult accommodation in Chauvigny.