Modern vintage
by kokoryko
Modern vintage, I mean that the cars here are less than 10 years old; these are formula 3000 cars and they are quite powerful vehicles. As like most of the time during that week end, it rained and the cars just threw water from their wheels (main picture ), and they take the curves cautiously (picture 2 and 3). Good they have red light when they brake, the follower may see there will be a turn very soon (picture 4). . . .
These cars are tuned and prepared like formula one cars (picture 5)
Free where access is allowed or 10-12 Euros for access to the paddocks or galleries; 17 Euros for the week end.
Place de la Libération
by mikey_e
The Place de la Libération is within walking distance of the Place Royale and the Château, but somehow it feels that, unless you are specifically wandering about the city, you are unlikely to go here and see it. It is obviously more modern than the historic core of Pau, but that doesn't mean that it is without charm. Bounded on one side by the Église Saint-Jacques and the Palais de la Justice in neo-Classical style on another, this Place has much more a feeling of a typical French city than does the Place Royale. In addition, its remaining two sides are dominated by shops and commercial spaces, making it feel much more lively than the historical centre of the city. There is not much to specifically see here - a monument dedicated to the liberation of France and the Palais de la Justice, which I assume that you cannot enter - but it still provides a pretty break for sightseeing. Sit back at a café and enjoy the atmosphere. There's also a bookstore specializing in Occitan and Gascon subjects, as well as the usual religious goods stores that you typically find across from large churches.
The casino is in the Palais Beaumont.
by kokoryko
Palais Beaumont hosts also the Pau casino; I never was there, and, well, the people at the entrance do not look very welcoming and from far, they tried to prevent me taking pictures from the entrance; I know from my dentist who is working not far from there that many locally well-known people go there (even at 9 am, he told me) who do not want to publicise their special illness!
For those who want to go there, there is an underground parking. And before you loose all your money, may I advise you to have a dinner at the restaurant of the Palais Beaumont, called Les Terraces de Beaumont where you can have international as well as local food, like magret (duck fillets), garbure soup, for a reasonable price as it is in a very nice setting, with a glass greenhouse type terrace. There is also le Hunt brasserie, which I do not know, as well do I not know the Billiard academy located in the Palais Beaumont. .
General information on Palais Beaumont:
Contact : Le Palais Beaumont, Parc Beaumont F 64000 PAU
Tél : +33 (0) 559 112 000 Fax : +33(0) 559 112 001
Email: dsportes@paucc.com
Site internet : http://www.paucc.com
Casino, Tel: 05 59 27 06 92
Les terrasses de Beaumont, Tel: 05 59 11 21 07
Billiard academy, Tel : 05 59 27 07 00
The Church of St. Martin
by hquittner
There was not much of interest in the Church of St. Martin other than that it large and close by the Chateau. It is, I think, 19C, and is neo-Gothic in style and quite spacious inside and quite tall with four large levels. We usually do not look at recent churches but this seems to be the oldest one in town. Unlike older churches, its narrow entry wall is at the North.
Church St Girons
by kokoryko
Church St Girons , built in the end 15th and beginning 16th centuries is said to be the biggest gothic church of Bearn. It was for some time a protestant temple, but in the mid 17th century it became definitely catholic.
The remarkable thing here is the framework under the roof.; this returned ship framework is the most impressive I have seen and I could have figured out when I saw the roof outside.
The tourist office organises guided visits with a sound-and-light representation which I was not very fond of, but well, and it is the only possibility to see the framework.
I do not comment the pictures, just have a close look. This frame is made exclusively of heart of oak wood, most of the beams and balks are original from the construction time; it has been renovated in 1999 but keeping the original material as much as possible. You even can see marks from the renaissance carpenters on some of the balks. Ah, last picture is a side-ship under the big roof.
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Old Secretarial
North Side
Swans
Palais de Justice, Pau, France 2006
