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Mailman Builds Incredible Palace With Rocks He Collected Over 33 Years (Photos)

by Robert Anthony

We've seen someone recreate the house from Disney's "Up" for a dog.

We've also seen a mad genius create an entire wall out of Lego bricks just because he felt like it. This time, however, we're venturing overseas to France to introduce you to a mailman from the late 1800s named Ferdinand Cheval.

Why? Well, it's not every day you see an entire house made out of pebbles, unless you're in Hauterives, a town in southeastern France. According to Bored Panda, Cheval collected pebbles while on his 18-mile delivery route and built his masterpiece from 1879 to 1912.

He didn't just throw the stones into his backpack or mail bag, though. He actually brought a wheelbarrow along with him so he could gather them more efficiently.

And after 33 years of assembly spanning, Cheval ended up with the Palais Idéal.

Check out the photos below for a closer look.

This is the Palais Idéal -- a structure created by a French mailman named Ferdinand Cheval.

Thierry Ollivier/Flickr

The structure is made out of pebbles Cheval collected while on his 18-mile delivery route.

Wim Constant/500px

He actually brought a wheelbarrow along with him so he could gather them more efficiently.

Marie Cardon/500px

At this point, you're probably wondering how long this took to build.

Facteur Cheval

Try 33 years!

Thierry Ollivier/Flickr

But this masterpiece is well worth those three decades.

Thierry Ollivier

And tourists couldn't be happier.

Thierry Ollivier/Flickr

People can actually go into the Palace and look around.

Daderot

Cheval began construction of this massive DIY project in 1879.

Facteur Cheval

He completed this masterpiece in 1912. Now we have it forever.

Facteur Cheval

If you're ever in Hauterives, France, do yourself a favor and visit Cheval's Palais Idéal.

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Citations: French Mailman Spends 33 Years Building Epic Palace From Pebbles Collected On His 18-Mile Mail Route (Bored Panda)