Ferdinand Cheval and his Palais Idéal
I hold individuals that live life outside the box of what most people’s definition of “normal” might be in high regard. Those mavericks who listen to their heart and are moved by what it tells them regardless of the judgement of others is a gift. It may cause them great pain or great delight but they move to their inner voice and only when all is said and done will they be deemed genius or crazy!
Take Ferdinand Cheval. A French postman, he tripped on a stone one day, admired its shape and started collecting them on his route. First in pockets, then baskets and finally a wheel barrel, he gathered stones and created his “Palais Idéal” or Ideal Palace with what he gathered. For two decades he worked on the exterior walls, binding the stones together with mortar, cement and lime. His “building” incorporated various styles and symbols taken from the Bible and Hindu mythology. Eventually, his work became labeled as one of the finest examples of “naive art” architecture.
Leaving school at 13 and becoming a bakery apprentice, Mr. Cheval left that line of work to become a postman. Fate had a hand in that I do believe and this rural postman in the south of France had gifts some of us can only dream about!
Additional information: Destinationsen.eurostar
Photo credit: Mariehahaha@flickr, QbiT@flickr, 3 second memory@flickr, Wikipedia
Tags: , b5media, Ferdinand Cheval, france, Palais Idéal, paris, the paris traveler, travel, travel blogsRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Attractions, Fun & Quirky Places, Must See
0 opinions for Ferdinand Cheval and his Palais Idéal
No one has left a comment yet. You know what this means, right? You could be first!
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: