The palaces and architectural monuments created by famous architects are known all over the world. However, the Ideal Palace, despite its amazing style and beauty, is known to few. It was built by an ordinary French postman. The source of inspiration was a stone found by the road.
It is believed that original creations can only be created by a true professional master. However, the foundations are refuted by the amazing Le Palace Ideal of Ferdinand Cheval. It is recognized as one of the most impressive monuments in the style of naive art, and the building gained fame during the lifetime of the creator.
Wonderful castle
The attraction is located not far from Lyon in the town of Autrive. It took the postman over 30 years to build. The story began in the nineteenth century. In 1852, Ferdinand and his wife arrived in Autriv and began to work as a postman. He walked considerable distances on foot in order to deliver letters and parcels to addressees.
The conscientious employee had to spend the night both in the open air and in ruined shacks. At such moments, he especially vividly imagined the castle of his dreams, realizing that he could hardly ever realize his aspirations.
Cheval's whole life was turned upside down by an unexpected find on April 19, 1879. The man literally stumbled upon a stone of an unusual shape. At that moment, the postman decided that he would build the palace from materials that nature itself would give him.
Road to dream
He went to deliver mail with a cart, into which he then put all the unusual stone finds. At the same time, the village postman began to study well-known architectural styles. The collection lasted for 20 years, construction began in 1888. With the help of cement, lime and wire, the stones were combined into bizarre shapes.
The master worked alone without days off and breaks, even at night he did not interrupt the process, creating by the light of a kerosene stove. The ideal palace was erected 33 years after the start of work. In 1912, construction came to an end.
The locals who called Cheval an eccentric were shocked by the structure. All directions and styles are mixed in the building. The spectacular picture even included a temple, a mosque and a crypt. From the outside, the building looks amazingly magical and majestic. The castle is surrounded by stairs, sculptures and fountains.
Amazing palace
The walls of the building were decorated with mysterious inscriptions and signs. The Creator also immortalized the sayings that helped him in his work. The master willingly talked about his creation and showed the palace to those who wanted it. He was sure that there are no borders between countries, and universal love is the main engine of peace.
The master's family crypt was a continuation of the famous castle. The transformation of the modest place of the last monastery took 8 years. Ferdinand died in 1924. His brainchild was admired by Picasso and Breton.
In 1969, the building, which combined not only various directions of architecture, but also culture, was officially recognized as an architectural monument. Its creator was named the founder of art brut, rough art. The tomb in the city cemetery was also ranked among the masterpieces of naive architecture in 1975.
Cheval himself wrote that he wanted to demonstrate what results can be achieved with willpower, even alone.
