Postman Cheval and Regional Inspirations

Ever since he started his construction, Ferdinand (known as Postman) Cheval wanted to pay tribute to the patron saint of the village. So, using tufa stone and shells, he created the "Cave of Saint Amédée."
Saint Amédée, Bishop of Lausanne, was born in the Dauphiné region in 1110, and was the son of the Seigneur of Hauterives.

Ferdinand Cheval was born in Charmes-sur-l'Herbasse in 1836. The Castle of Charmes, dating back to the 12th century, was a likely playground for a young Postman Cheval, who made a miniature reproduction of the castle at the peak of his Ideal Palace.

... and there you have it, the Castle of Charmes in the Ideal Palace.

With a circumference of eight meters, this Lebanese cedar tree was the pride and joy of the village of Hauterives before the Ideal Palace. Planted in approximately 1760 in the grounds of the Castle of Hauterives, it was one of the first cedar trees imported into France, and its imposing figure made it a landmark in the local landscape.

This famous Lebanese cedar tree was sculpted by Postman Cheval on the Terrace of the Ideal Palace, and was christened the Tree of Life.

The Postman's route stretched along the banks of the River Galaure, and sent Cheval into endless daydreams. The pebbles from the river are a unique natural and architectural feature found throughout the Galaure Valley.

Locals use the pebbles to build houses.

The pebbles are just one of the many types of local stone used by Postman Cheval in his artwork.

These cavities are undoubtedly featured in Postman Cheval's work. Furthermore, long before it was officially named the Ideal Palace, the monument was called "The Caves"!