Visit Palais Ideal, Rhone-Alpes
The village of Hauterives is situated in the Rhone-Alpes about 40 kilometres north of Valence. Despite the pleasant setting for the village it would probably go unremarked by visitors to the region if it wasn't for the extraordinary monument it contains.
The Palais Ideal
At the end of the 19th century (from 1879-1912), the local postman - Ferdinand Cheval - spent his spare time very industriously and slowly built a remarkable building, mostly using stones and pebbles that he collected during his deliveries, now known as the Palais Ideal.
After dreaming of his project for 12 years, Ferdinand Cheval got to work, collecting stones during the day and building at night - a project that was to take more than 30 years to complete. Apparently Cheval had something of a reputation as being eccentric!
A fabulously ornate creation, it is an incredible achievement and fascinating to visit. It is not easy to classify or describe the building, since it is so unique, although the term 'naive architecture' has been applied.
The main building has a variety of scenes, recreations and highlights, including a hindu temple and an Egyptian Monument, and also further alcoves containing miniature versions of buildings from around the world - a swiss chalet, a medieval chateau and so on.
Before the building - the Palais Idéal - was even finished it had quite a reputation, and the support of Pablo Picasso as a surrealist monument.
When the palace was finished Cheval built a similar tomb in the town churchyard, where he is now buried. Taking eight years to build it has a certain gothic appeal (although I'm not sure it's what I might choose for my own tomb!)
The building is now a classified historic monument, and open to the public all year round (except the second half of january), admission price around 5 euros.
Suggested places to visit near Palais Ideal, France
Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.
Romans-sur-Isere 23km
Tain-l'Hermitage 25km
Malleval 27km
More suggestions: Vienne 32km; Pelussin 33km; Pont-en-Royans 33km; Valence 37km; Desaignes 49km; Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez 50km; Saint-Etienne 54km; Cremieu 55km; Grenoble 55km; Lyon 58km; Crest 59km;
See these places and more on a map at places near Palais Ideal
Palais Ideal tourism: sights and attractions nearby
Jardin japonais - remarkable garden (27km) : Montelier - ville fleurie 4* (35km) : Grottes de Choranche - site of natural beauty (35km) : Saint-Gervais - ville fleurie 4* (36km) : Oeillon Crest - site of natural beauty (36km) : Parc Jouvet - remarkable garden (37km) : Perdrix Crest - site of natural beauty (38km) : Pilat - regional natural parc (38km) :
French version: see Palais Ideal (Francais)
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