Crossroads Medieval Village

The centrepiece of the project will be the medieval village castle, based on the French mountain village of Chalencon during the period 1400-1430 AD. Chalencon dates from 1037 and includes a small castle with a round keep.

The village was chosen as the model for the Crossroads Project because of its compact size, its similarity in climate and landform to the property, and because of existing links to that area within the Yass community.

Chalencon was once part of the Duchy of Aquitane, which came to the English Crown with the extraordinary Eleanor of Aquitane. Richard the Lionheart fought many wars in this region. During the Hundred Years War, the area was held by the Duc de Berry, the famous patron of artists. Berry supported the uncrowned French Prince, the Dauphin, against the English. Joan of Arc fought to regain France for the Dauphin and was burnt at the stake.

The Lord of Chalencon was knighted by the Dauphin for leading troops against the traitorous Burgundians. Chalencon was significant because it was on major trade and pilgrimage routes. After the middle ages, these were no longer important and the village was virtually abandoned.

This has meant that the medieval features of the village have remained essentially intact. The village is now being restored. There are photographs of Chalencon in the Photo Album