5 Activities
Discover the Incredible Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval
Starts from
Lyon
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
5
Duration
10 hours
Length
53 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Lyon
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
10 hours
Length
53 mi
Anna Prudhomme
Travel Expert
- Visit Justine's lovely Farm and feed the animals.
- Eat lunch at the terrace of a charming typical French restaurant.
- Discover this "Palace" of stones called Palais Idéal constructed by a postman over more than 3 decades.
- End the day with his incredible tomb he spent 8 years building.
Have you ever heard of the Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval ?
Gems of naive architecture, this building is one of a kind. During thirty-three years, Ferdinand Cheval, a postman with a dreamer soul, never ceased choosing stones during his daily rounds. Carrying them first in his pockets, then in a basket, or even a wheelbarrow, he spent his life working on his dream construction. A palace made of stones, inspired by nature, postcards and the first illustrated magazines he distributes.
This one-day trip, perfectly made for families, will make you discover the work of this incredible French artist along with a visit to the farm animals and some good restaurant spots in the area.
Gems of naive architecture, this building is one of a kind. During thirty-three years, Ferdinand Cheval, a postman with a dreamer soul, never ceased choosing stones during his daily rounds. Carrying them first in his pockets, then in a basket, or even a wheelbarrow, he spent his life working on his dream construction. A palace made of stones, inspired by nature, postcards and the first illustrated magazines he distributes.
This one-day trip, perfectly made for families, will make you discover the work of this incredible French artist along with a visit to the farm animals and some good restaurant spots in the area.
Have you ever heard of the Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval ?
Gems of naive architecture, this building is one of a kind. During thirty-three years, Ferdinand Cheval, a postman with a dreamer soul, never ceased choosing stones during his daily rounds. Carrying them first in his pockets, then in a basket, or even a wheelbarrow, he spent his life working on his dream construction. A palace made of stones, inspired by nature, postcards and the first illustrated magazines he distributes.
This one-day trip, perfectly made for families, will make you discover the work of this incredible French artist along with a visit to the farm animals and some good restaurant spots in the area.
Gems of naive architecture, this building is one of a kind. During thirty-three years, Ferdinand Cheval, a postman with a dreamer soul, never ceased choosing stones during his daily rounds. Carrying them first in his pockets, then in a basket, or even a wheelbarrow, he spent his life working on his dream construction. A palace made of stones, inspired by nature, postcards and the first illustrated magazines he distributes.
This one-day trip, perfectly made for families, will make you discover the work of this incredible French artist along with a visit to the farm animals and some good restaurant spots in the area.
Anna Prudhomme
Travel Expert
- Visit Justine's lovely Farm and feed the animals.
- Eat lunch at the terrace of a charming typical French restaurant.
- Discover this "Palace" of stones called Palais Idéal constructed by a postman over more than 3 decades.
- End the day with his incredible tomb he spent 8 years building.
Day Itinerary
5 Activities
Day 1
53 mi0.8 mi
On the Tracks of the Fabulous Facteur Cheval!
This perfect family round trip itinerary will start with the Près de Justin to visit the farm and see the animals before heading to lunch at La Halte du Facteur near the Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval where you'll spend the afternoon visiting this magnificent location.
Built over three decades by a French postman, this palace of stones is a masterpiece of naive architecture. A must-see, the Palais Idéal piqued at the time of his construction the curiosity of artists such as the Spanish painter Pablo Picasso to the French surrealist writer and poet André Breton. Today, you’ll be the one entering this out of this world construction.
End your day with the family tomb that Mr Cheval spent another eight years making before heading for dinner at Bistro’papilles where you’ll enjoy local and fresh recipes.
Built over three decades by a French postman, this palace of stones is a masterpiece of naive architecture. A must-see, the Palais Idéal piqued at the time of his construction the curiosity of artists such as the Spanish painter Pablo Picasso to the French surrealist writer and poet André Breton. Today, you’ll be the one entering this out of this world construction.
End your day with the family tomb that Mr Cheval spent another eight years making before heading for dinner at Bistro’papilles where you’ll enjoy local and fresh recipes.
10:052 hrs
Au Pre de Justin
Farm
Open Details
The Pré de Justin offers visits to Justine's Farm, with the possibility to enter some of the pens. I’ll recommend doing a guided tour with feeding of the animals. The perfect activity to begin the day with your little ones !
43.8 mi
1 hr
13:301 hr
La Halte du Facteur
Brasserie
Open Details
Take a seat at the terrace of this lovely typical French restaurant! Located less than 5mn walking by the Palais Idéal, you’ll enjoy local and home-made products before going on the tracks of the crazy Facteur Cheval.
0.7 mi
5 min
14:3530 min
Palais Idéal
Museum
Open Details
t’s in the small village of Hauterives that you’ll discover this historical monument full of poetry. A visit is organized inside the palace's different areas and a museum will give you much needed information about Le Facteur Cheval's incredible and solitary life.
If you look closely enough, you’ll discover that the palace is inscribed with his builder’s poetry! Here are some of the verses translated to English for you to feel the mood: "From a dream I brought out the queen of the world" or "By creating this rock I wanted to prove what the Will can do".
After the visit, spend some time to walk to the grave of the palace's author.
If you look closely enough, you’ll discover that the palace is inscribed with his builder’s poetry! Here are some of the verses translated to English for you to feel the mood: "From a dream I brought out the queen of the world" or "By creating this rock I wanted to prove what the Will can do".
After the visit, spend some time to walk to the grave of the palace's author.
0.8 mi
20 min
17:3530 min
Tombe du Facteur Cheval
Cemetery
Open Details
Take a 15mn walk in the village to find the Facteur Cheval grave. In the style of his incredible construction, Mr Cheval spent 8 years building this family tomb in which he’ll be buried in 1924.
8.8 mi
20 min
19:001 hr 30 min
Bistro'papilles
Bistro
Open Details
For dinner, I recommend this beautiful restaurant in Anneyron called Bistro’papilles. Elected Travellers' Choice by Tripadvisor in 2021, the kitchen is dedicated to French cooking using regional products.
The restaurant is only open for dinner on Friday and Wednesday night from 7pm until 9pm. So don’t forget to call to make a reservation at 04.75.31.63.83 or else the restaurant might be fully booked!
The restaurant is only open for dinner on Friday and Wednesday night from 7pm until 9pm. So don’t forget to call to make a reservation at 04.75.31.63.83 or else the restaurant might be fully booked!