This classique-baroque-art deco (not to be confused with art nouveau) mixture style palace has a 100 years history, linked to the dynamism of the mayors of Pau at the time. Aristide de Montpezat acquired properties from aristocrat families in order to create a public park and a place for cultural events and entertainment and leisure for the Pau residents and visitors. The Palais Beaumont was formerly known as Villa Beaumont, and became Palais Beaumont after renovation works in 2000.
Architect Emile Bertrand (creator of the Bois de Boulogne, (Paris) greenhouses), build this villa in that special style, with the purpose of capturing light and keeping some confidentiality to the library and museum visitors. After the recent renovation, I can understand what he meant.
Main picture shows the southern side in the morning light, reflecting in a wading pond in front.
The picture 2 shows one of the campaniles from inside (many roofs are of glass), and the picture 3 shows both campaniles on the classique-baroque general style and layout of the palace viewed from south.
The main entrance is on the North west side. A closer view shows the exuberant decoration of the campaniles (picture 4) and the renovation has used trompe-l?oeil techniques (picture 5) for decoration.
Palais Beaumont is presented on the website below
http://www.paucc.com/
For history, you may have a look at this website.
http://www.remcomp.fr/asmanet/paucc-histoire-palais-beaumont.html
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 internent : http://www.paucc.com


