Mailman Built Architectural Masterpiece Using Pebbles [Video]

• The architectural masterpiece of Le Palais Idéal, the “fairy-tale palace” in Hauterives, France, was 33 years in the making.
• A humble mailman, Ferdinand Chaval, started construction back in 1879 when he chanced upon a small pebble.
• The stone had reminded him of a dream about an incredible fairy-tale-like palace — a dream that he soon turned into reality.

An architectural masterpiece was brought into creation thanks to one tiny pebble and one enduring mailman.

Back in 1879, 43-year-old Ferdinand Chaval came upon a small, smooth sandstone pebble on his delivery route. At the time, he wasn’t quite sure why he pocketed it, but he certainly had more than a few ideas.

He shared that the stone reminded him of a dream about an incredible fairy-tale-like palace.

He soon found himself collecting similar stones or pebbles, which he stored in a remote area. So began his solitary mission to bring his dream to reality.

Finally, after 33 years of hard work, he completed his breathtaking masterpiece: Le Palais Idéal, the “fairy-tale palace” in Hauterives, France.

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Ferdinand created the amazing structure out of sandstone pebbles — like the one he picked up back in 1879!

“I had built a palace, a castle, or caves, I cannot express it well,” he shared.

The entire building spans about 85-feet long and 30-feet high. It showcases a wide range of architectural styles while incorporating themes of Christianity and Hinduism.

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Unique in the world, the Ideal Palace of the postman (Hauterives, France), Ferdinand Cheval has been classified Historical Monument. After the lovely film it was a must to visit it. So amazing details ????????????. In 1879 at the age of 43,he devotes 33 years of his life to build a dream palace in his garden alone. His inspiration came from nature and postcards. At the age of 78, he built his tomb and it took him 8 years to finish it (last pic) #palaisideal #idealpalace #facteurcheval

A post shared by Been to 15 countries & France (@peggynature) on Jul 19, 2019 at 6:32am PDT

The building also houses several engravings, sculptures, and inscriptions that emphasize the importance of hard work.

“The ecstasy of a beautiful dream and the prize of effort,” one such inscription read.

The palace has also been opened for public viewing!

“It’s a sandstone shaped by water and hardened by the power of time. It becomes as hard as pebbles. It represents a sculpture so strange that it is impossible for man to imitate, it represents any kind of animal, any kind of caricature. I said to myself: since Nature is willing to do the sculpture, I will do the masonry and the architecture,” Ferdinand shared of his masterpiece.

Who knew that one man can create such an architectural marvel using pebbles? It makes us wonder about all the possible creations we can bring to life.

Share this inspiring story with your friends and family!

Source: inspire MORE