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Le
Palais idéal du Facteur Cheval
"The Palais Idéal, built by Ferdinand Cheval near Lyon, is
one
of the world's most astounding visionary structures. The country
postman was fascinated by unusually shaped stones and used them as raw
material in his monumental quest to build the palace of his dreams."
"The product of 33 years of unaided toil, the Palais mixes Western and
Oriental styles, and includes sculptural figures, beasts, twisting vine
roots and concrete palm trees. Winding steps lead to turrets and
columns encrusted with ornament. Beneath, a grotto-like crypt holds a
shrine to the trusty wheelbarrow that was his daily companion in his
search for materials. Along the east facade stand huge classical
figures: Caesar, Vercingétorix and Archimedes. Tablets
exhibit
Cheval's poems and messages. At the age of 80, he was refused
permission to use the Palais as his burying place, and so built for
himself an extraordinary tomb in the local churchyard."
- From "Fantasy
Worlds" by Deidi Von Schaewen
and John Maizels
Hours
See the official site at Le
Palais idéal du Facteur Cheval .
Directions
Hauterives,
South of Lyon to the East of A7. The town of Hauterives
is small, once you are there, you will fine the site. In addition, you
can take a walk to the cemetary to see the postman's tomb.
Tip: The Palais Idéal is popular on weekends, and closes at
lunch, so restaurants fill up. If you go West on D51 about 20
kilometers to St. Uze, the Restaurant Philip Liversain is very good.
More information
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