Pau Things to Do

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The parc Beaumont is the place where the Palois (Pau inhabitants) go when sun comes back in spring. Not only do they enjoy the spring, but in summer the shades of the big trees make it a place where to get a bit fresh air, because summers can be very hot here in South Western France.
This parc was created at the same time as the Villa Beaumont, from land properties of local nobles, including the Noailles family, of which you certainly know the famous poetess Anna de Noailles. The landscaping architect Henri Martinet, in 1898, took advantage of the topography and the location on the belvedere to create a parc where the view is open everywhere and in the same time, there are hedges, trees, shrubs, which almost never prevent from far views. Birds on the water, young people on the grass, music kiosks, all here tends to serenity.
On the 21st of June (spring, fete de la musique in France), during all night local groups perform music in the parc and the ambiance, the short time I spend there on that occasion is quite . . . interesting!

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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

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At the Eastern end of the Boulevard, you arrive in sight of the Palais Beaumont.
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

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Aristide de Monpezat, mayor of Pau decided to create the Boulevard des Pyrenees in 1876, a road on the cliff (belvedere seems a more suited name), linking the Château to the Parc Beaumont; this link was originally created for the patients of health resorts in Pau, who could easily go from the chateau to the Parc, enjoying fresh air and the view.
Walking on the boulevard, you eyes are always attracted by the view to the mountains; look on the other side of the street, there are buildings to look at and strange statues; I do not have information about these statues which decorate the lower part of the Place d’Aragon, just could identify Heracles. On your way from the Chateau to the Palais Beaumont, it may be a stop on the Boulevard. But your eyes will always look south and have new views of the mountains (picture 5)

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Of course as the place is offering stunning views, there are lots of restaurants with terraces on the Boulevard des Pyrenees! There is choice in different styles and food; just be sure in summer to arrive in advance, it can be crowded.
I had dinner or lunch several times there and will not recommend one or another of the restaurants, try to sit outside, of course, but what I like the most is just sitting on a bench and look and . . . dream.

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One thing to do if you have only 2 hours to spend in Pau, is to have a walk on the Boulevard des Pyrenees. It is a long East West oriented street, on a belvedere with open view on the mountains located about 50 km away (Picture 1). You have a look over 200 km mountains and with fine weather lots of future hike destinations can be seen. One of my favourites is the Pic du Midi d’Ossau you can see on picture 2 through the water drops of a fountain. Pic du Midi de Bigorre is seen on Picture 3 and here on picture 4 at sunrise.
Walking here early morning to see the mountains is the best, because later during the day the misty weather always appears and you cannot see details of the mountains, only their general shape; wake up early! Last picture is Pic d’Anie also in the morning light.

Pau built its own grand promenade to rival the rich seaside resorts of the Mediterrannean and Atlantic. But the views from here are not of sandy beaches, but of the Pyrenees Mountains and Bearnaise countryside. The Boulevard des Pyrenees stretches from Pau Castle to the attractive Casino. It has a number of watering holes, including an Australian and an Irish Pub for some reason! There is also a curious Cafe that serves tea while you sit in deck chairs.

You will notice the names of mountains in view are written along the top the ballustrade on the promenade.

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The Musee des Beaux Arts is one of the nicest city art galleries I have come across, certainly the best in Department 64. There is a strong mixture of old and new, from modern temporary exhibitions to religious wood carving from the Middle Ages. There are a small number of well known artists, for example a Degas painting and a marble bust of the man himself.

Closed Tuesdays. Admission price 3 euros for adults (2006).