🇫🇷 Is the Postman's Ideal Palace Worth a Visit?
The Palais Ideal is a rather niche attraction, just under an hour and a half drive from Lyon. It's not a large place—you won't spend a whole day here; an afternoon is plenty. 🕰️ The Ideal Palace has a free parking lot, so just follow the GPS. You can buy tickets online in advance, which is €0.50 cheaper than at the entrance. Adult tickets are €9.50, and for children aged 6-16, it's €5.50. 🎫 Inside, you'll find the palace built by a postman, a small museum, and a film exhibition hall to explore. 🏰 There aren't many tourists, so you won't have to wait in line. Note that pets are not allowed. If you're carrying a backpack, you'll need to wear it on your chest, as the sculptures inside the palace are not protected by barriers and can be viewed up close. This is to prevent backpacks from accidentally scratching the architecture. 🎒 The palace has a unique style with imaginative sculptures that look different from every angle. The castle appears cold and angular at first glance, but from another perspective, it feels mysterious and warm. There are many heartwarming details, like a chandelier decorated with tiny shells that makes you think of a family having dinner together under warm light. There's also a sculpture of a beagle with carefully crafted pebble paws, looking very cute. His owner must have loved him dearly. The palace's roof features various figurative sculptures that blend information from different spaces and times. Upon closer inspection, you'll truly appreciate the boundless creativity of humans. 🌟 After visiting the castle, you can check out the small museum next door to learn about the creator's life and the process of building the palace. If it's hot, there's also a film exhibition hall next to the restroom where you can sit and watch documentaries while enjoying the air conditioning. 🎬 At the ticket office, you can scan a QR code for an audio guide, which includes Chinese narration. They also have a fun activity for kids: a paper with many patterns found in the castle, encouraging them to explore and find the corresponding sculptures. The backside even has space for drawing the castle's panorama or any part they find interesting. 🎨 The Ideal Palace closes at 6 PM, so don't arrive too late. On our way back, we passed a sunflower field. There was a convenient parking spot by the roadside, so we stopped to take a few photos. 🌻 Overall, it's definitely worth a visit. The price is reasonable, the journey is short, and it's not crowded. 👍 #CulturalSiteShare #AroundTheWorld #Lyon #LyonTravel #IdealPalace #OffTheBeatenPathInFrance #HiddenGemsAroundLyon
