Place de la Mairie, Hauterives (circa 1900) by Louis CharvatPostman Cheval's Ideal Palace
When he was a postman, Ferdinand Cheval lived on the Place de la Mairie, in Hauterives.
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From the Place de la Mairie, Postman (Ferdinand) Cheval only had to travel a few yards to get to his workplace.
To this day, it remains a lively spot, where people like to gather.
Of course, Postman Cheval began his round at the Hauterives post office. On the building, you can still see the shadow of the letters, PTT. Beside it, you can find the new post office.
He first delivered mail to the inhabitants of the village, passing under its enormous gateway. In the Middle Ages, the conurbation was contained within the walls of the 11th Century feudal castle, of which only this gateway remains.
View of the Hauterives railway station (circa 1900) by Louis CharvatPostman Cheval's Ideal Palace
At the time, the village of Hauterives was connected to the rest of the world by a train, which came from Saint Vallier.
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Safe to say, that's no longer the case today! However, travelers today come all over the world to discover the monumental artwork created by the village's postman.
Footbridge over the river Galaure (circa 1900) by Louis CharvatPostman Cheval's Ideal Palace
Anyway, let's get back to the rounds! To get to the Castle and deliver mail there, Ferdinand Cheval had to pass over the footbridge over the Galaure.
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Hauterives Castle (circa 1900) by Louis CharvatPostman Cheval's Ideal Palace
the Castle
In the 17th Century, the Seigneur of Hauterives decided, rather than restore the old, feudal castle, to construct a whole new home for himself on the left banks of the Galaure River, opposite the village.
Hauterives Castle (circa 1900) by Louis CharvatPostman Cheval's Ideal Palace
the Castle
Today, it serves as a location for summer exhibitions.
view of the neighborhood Les Maréchaux, Hauterives (circa 1900) by Louis CharvatPostman Cheval's Ideal Palace
Then, Mailman Cheval headed to the Maréchaux neighborhood.
The "Les Glycines" villa (circa 1905) by Louis CharvatPostman Cheval's Ideal Palace
The Les Glycines villa was constructed in 1905, by Grand Master Besson, but it in no longer standing today. However, Ferdinand Cheval did business with the solicitor to purchase the lands which would come to house the Ideal Palace.
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After that, Postman Cheval passed through the "Valois" neighborhood. Before he headed towards the village of Tersanne.
Barral Castle (circa 1900) by Louis CharvatPostman Cheval's Ideal Palace
On his route, he delivered mail to Barral Castle.
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He then continued his way to the village of Tersanne. It was at this point, three miles into his walk, that he was able to stop and take in the view over the Galaure Valley.
Village of Tersanne (circa 1900) by Louis CharvatPostman Cheval's Ideal Palace
Tersanne
A village semi-perched on the slopes, overlooked by the Saint Romain Church, Tersanne would always remain engraved in the memory of Postman Cheval.
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Tersanne
Indeed, it's there that he would meet his cherished second wife, Philomène.
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Les Nivons, Les Gaillards, Les Ponçons, Ambouchet, Place, Goiffieux,... Ferdinand delivered mail to all of the hamlets. By the time he finally arrived in Chatelard, he'd already covered over 13 miles.
Le Chastellard, Hauterives (circa 1900) by Louis CharvatPostman Cheval's Ideal Palace
Le Chastellard (or Châtelard)
This is the third castle on Postman Cheval's rounds.
Le Chastellard, Hauterives (circa 1900) by Louis CharvatPostman Cheval's Ideal Palace
We can better understand why this humble man came to decide, during his rounds, to build a dream palace of his own.
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Gengonière, Bonne Combes, les Bessées, les Girauds... Ferdinand Cheval continued his round ... and covered another six miles.
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Saint Germain
He finally arrived in the village of Saint Germain. The rock which rises from the ground at the center of the village provided him with stone for his future palace.
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Les Roches, Dravey, Mantaille, Les Poteries ... Ferdinand Cheval looked over Hauterives, and had covered 24 miles on foot.
Overview of the village of Hauterives (circa 1900) by Louis CharvatPostman Cheval's Ideal Palace
He began to spot the bell tower of Hauterives, and the ruins of the ancient castle. But wait, his round isn't finished yet !
Ruin of the old castle of Hauterives (circa 1900) by Louis CharvatPostman Cheval's Ideal Palace
There isn't much left of the 11th-century castle. In around 1650, a catastrophic fire was the end of the castle. These places were once home to notable figures such as Amédée de Clermont, who went on to become Saint Amédée. Ferdinand Cheval paid tribute to him in his Palace, with one of its first constructions.
Brown coal mines, Hauterives (circa 1900) by Louis CharvatPostman Cheval's Ideal Palace
Ferdinand walked the length of the brown coal mines. He would also use this so-called "poor-quality" coal for his work, not for fueling fires.
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Treigneux
After walking more than 25 miles, he still had to deliver mail to the village of Treigneux.
View of the church, Hauterives (circa 1900) by Louis CharvatPostman Cheval's Ideal Palace
At the end of his 27-mile route, he finally arrived back in Hauterives. His work done, he was then able to continue working on his Ideal Palace ...
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... and head out to collect stones with his faithful wheelbarrow.
