This multimedia tour will guide you through an exploration of the cultural heritage of Pau’s historic centre using videos and audio commentary. These will lead you on a chronological tour from the birth of a medieval market town around the castle to the construction of the Boulevard des Pyrénées and the city’s transformation in the 19th and 20th centuries, designed as a balcony looking onto the Pyrenees mountains.
Begin at the start of the city’s history with this video. Pau’s origins go back to the construction of a defence on this rocky crag, which became the residence of the kings of Navarre after undergoing multiple transformations.
From the castle gardens to the villa parks that are now public, Pau has a number of green spaces that were designed for walking and are planted with rare varieties and hundred-year-old trees. In this clip, discover this particular feature of the city that is at the heart of its identity.
Here you are in front of the seat of the former Parliament of Navarre. This is an opportunity to understand the purpose of this institution, which was established during the reign of Louis XIII after Béarn and Lower Navarre were incorporated into the French Crown.
The Hôtel Peyré is one of the oldest private mansions in Pau. These luxury homes belonged to important figures who were mainly members of the Parliament of Navarre.
This 17th-century private mansion belonged to the Peyré family, one of whose members inspired the character Monsieur de Tréville in one of the most famous works of French literature. Which work was this?
This 17th-century private mansion belonged to the Peyré family, one of whose members inspired the character Monsieur de Tréville in one of the most famous works of French literature. Which work was this?
The Monsieur de Tréville character appears in The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. He was inspired by Jean Armand de Peyré, from Béarn, who was the son of a merchant and became a captain in the Company of the King’s Musketeers. Also known as the Comte de Trois-Villes (or Comte de Tréville), he was a member of the same Peyré family that owned this private mansion. He contributed to creating the image of the famous Cadets of Gascony, just like d’Artagnan.
Another famous figure is also associated with the Hôtel Peyré. This is Sully, a minister under King Henry IV. Although he never stayed here, the building is sometimes known as the “Hôtel Sully”.
The huge, solid door of the Hôtel Peyré is surrounded by an imposing doorway topped by a pediment and a decorative frieze with plant motifs. Through this door is an entrance hall with remarkable classic calade paving, in which you can make out a rose. A huge stone staircase provides access to the upper floors. This building is listed as a Monument Historique.
The Monsieur de Tréville character appears in The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. He was inspired by Jean Armand de Peyré, from Béarn, who was the son of a merchant and became a captain in the Company of the King’s Musketeers. Also known as the Comte de Trois-Villes (or Comte de Tréville), he was a member of the same Peyré family that owned this private mansion. He contributed to creating the image of the famous Cadets of Gascony, just like d’Artagnan.
Another famous figure is also associated with the Hôtel Peyré. This is Sully, a minister under King Henry IV. Although he never stayed here, the building is sometimes known as the “Hôtel Sully”.
The huge, solid door of the Hôtel Peyré is surrounded by an imposing doorway topped by a pediment and a decorative frieze with plant motifs. Through this door is an entrance hall with remarkable classic calade paving, in which you can make out a rose. A huge stone staircase provides access to the upper floors. This building is listed as a Monument Historique.
The Monsieur de Tréville character appears in The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. He was inspired by Jean Armand de Peyré, from Béarn, who was the son of a merchant and became a captain in the Company of the King’s Musketeers. Also known as the Comte de Trois-Villes (or Comte de Tréville), he was a member of the same Peyré family that owned this private mansion. He contributed to creating the image of the famous Cadets of Gascony, just like d’Artagnan.
Another famous figure is also associated with the Hôtel Peyré. This is Sully, a minister under King Henry IV. Although he never stayed here, the building is sometimes known as the “Hôtel Sully”.
The huge, solid door of the Hôtel Peyré is surrounded by an imposing doorway topped by a pediment and a decorative frieze with plant motifs. Through this door is an entrance hall with remarkable classic calade paving, in which you can make out a rose. A huge stone staircase provides access to the upper floors. This building is listed as a Monument Historique.
In this video, we explain how the city developed over the centuries to the east, then to the north, beyond its rocky crag, by gradually exceeding the limitations of an uneven, mountainous setting.
Listen to a brief history of this historic quarter of Pau. Once burdened with a bad reputation, it has now become a pleasant and family-friendly place to stroll following a vast urban redevelopment campaign.
Who owned this house, which has a tympanum decorated with a lion lying down in bas-relief?
Who owned this house, which has a tympanum decorated with a lion lying down in bas-relief?
In the 19th century, this large and beautiful home made from stone belonged to the last executioner of Pau, Jean Ferrou, who had also bought practically the entire quarter, thanks to his considerable fortune. Payment for being Pau’s executioner came from a tax on goods sold at fairs and markets, and was a significant amount. However, the city struggled to find volunteers to take on this gruelling and thankless job that consisted of putting others to death. In 1689, one person who was condemned to death was actually pardoned after accepting the role of new executioner himself! Pau’s executioners traditionally lived in this quarter, which had a bad reputation. This is why Rue de Hédas used to be called the Rue devant l’exécutor (the street before the executioner)!
In the 19th century, this large and beautiful home made from stone belonged to the last executioner of Pau, Jean Ferrou, who had also bought practically the entire quarter, thanks to his considerable fortune. Payment for being Pau’s executioner came from a tax on goods sold at fairs and markets, and was a significant amount. However, the city struggled to find volunteers to take on this gruelling and thankless job that consisted of putting others to death. In 1689, one person who was condemned to death was actually pardoned after accepting the role of new executioner himself! Pau’s executioners traditionally lived in this quarter, which had a bad reputation. This is why Rue de Hédas used to be called the Rue devant l’exécutor (the street before the executioner)!
In the 19th century, this large and beautiful home made from stone belonged to the last executioner of Pau, Jean Ferrou, who had also bought practically the entire quarter, thanks to his considerable fortune. Payment for being Pau’s executioner came from a tax on goods sold at fairs and markets, and was a significant amount. However, the city struggled to find volunteers to take on this gruelling and thankless job that consisted of putting others to death. In 1689, one person who was condemned to death was actually pardoned after accepting the role of new executioner himself! Pau’s executioners traditionally lived in this quarter, which had a bad reputation. This is why Rue de Hédas used to be called the Rue devant l’exécutor (the street before the executioner)!
There was once a convent on this square, and it was around this that the entire quarter developed. It was established in the 17th century as part of the Counter Reformation, which had significant consequences for Pau.
The inside of Saint-Jacques Church is decorated with many painted scenes (motifs of flowers, people and scenes). Who is the white knight represented in this scene?
The inside of Saint-Jacques Church is decorated with many painted scenes (motifs of flowers, people and scenes). Who is the white knight represented in this scene?
It depicts the legend of Saint James on his way to offer his support to the Christian armies of King Ramiro I of Asturias in his fight against the Moors at the Battle of Clavijo in 844. This scene is part of the legend of Saint James the Moor-slayer, developed by the Christian church during the Reconquista, the long period of crusades and reconquest by the Christian kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula that had been occupied by Muslims between the 8th century and the end of the 15th century. It is to this legend that the city of Santiago de Compostela owes its wealth and the success of its pilgrimage.
This painted canvas that is attached to the wall by marouflage is the work of Henri Morisset (1870-1956), a Parisian painter. The other paintings are the work of local painter Joseph Castaing (1860-1918) and the plant decorations were painted by the Decrept brothers, from Bayonne, in 1898. Take time to admire them in detail and also look at the stained-glass windows of the church, which were restored in 2020.
It depicts the legend of Saint James on his way to offer his support to the Christian armies of King Ramiro I of Asturias in his fight against the Moors at the Battle of Clavijo in 844. This scene is part of the legend of Saint James the Moor-slayer, developed by the Christian church during the Reconquista, the long period of crusades and reconquest by the Christian kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula that had been occupied by Muslims between the 8th century and the end of the 15th century. It is to this legend that the city of Santiago de Compostela owes its wealth and the success of its pilgrimage.
This painted canvas that is attached to the wall by marouflage is the work of Henri Morisset (1870-1956), a Parisian painter. The other paintings are the work of local painter Joseph Castaing (1860-1918) and the plant decorations were painted by the Decrept brothers, from Bayonne, in 1898. Take time to admire them in detail and also look at the stained-glass windows of the church, which were restored in 2020.
It depicts the legend of Saint James on his way to offer his support to the Christian armies of King Ramiro I of Asturias in his fight against the Moors at the Battle of Clavijo in 844. This scene is part of the legend of Saint James the Moor-slayer, developed by the Christian church during the Reconquista, the long period of crusades and reconquest by the Christian kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula that had been occupied by Muslims between the 8th century and the end of the 15th century. It is to this legend that the city of Santiago de Compostela owes its wealth and the success of its pilgrimage.
This painted canvas that is attached to the wall by marouflage is the work of Henri Morisset (1870-1956), a Parisian painter. The other paintings are the work of local painter Joseph Castaing (1860-1918) and the plant decorations were painted by the Decrept brothers, from Bayonne, in 1898. Take time to admire them in detail and also look at the stained-glass windows of the church, which were restored in 2020.
You are standing in front of the birthplace of Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, a Pau native destined for an extraordinary future. Having started life simply as the son of a magistrate, he went on to become King of Sweden after a swift ascent through the ranks of Napoleon’s army. Listen to his incredible story!
In this video, admire all the hidden charms of this former entertainment and performance space from the 19th century that was converted into a town hall. Make a note to look at the very beautiful boardroom, formerly the ballroom, and also the Italian-style theatre, which still holds performances.
This 19th-century church is a work of art in every respect and was entirely designed by the architect Emile Boeswillwald, including the internal decorations in their gleaming colours. In this video, we will tell you all about this structure, which is worth visiting in person.
The grand hotels and luxurious villas in Pau are the legacy of a century as a resort town, when the city was hugely successful as a favourite destination for a cosmopolitan, high-society clientele. This clip will transport you back to this era, which transformed the city.
You are now in front of the first luxury private mansion established in Pau, which faces the Pyrenees and is one of the city’s iconic monuments. Behind its façades lies a unique history that you can discover through this audio guide.
At the bottom of the square runs a canal, on which a lock and an old mill can still be seen. These are evidence of the industrial activity around which the lower level of the city of Pau developed, around the Tour de la Monnaie tower. Listen to the story, which takes you back to the 16th century.
The glass façade of the Hôtel du Département is a huge mirror that reflects the upper level of the city. Which building’s façade can you admire here?
The glass façade of the Hôtel du Département is a huge mirror that reflects the upper level of the city. Which building’s façade can you admire here?
The large building visible at the centre of the mirror is the Hôtel Gassion. You can also see here the apse of Saint Martin’s Church on the left and on the right, the Parliament of Navarre, the Tour de la Monnaie tower and the castle. The Palais Beaumont and the town hall are not visible from here.
The Hôtel du Département, built between 1998 and 2000, is a creation of contemporary architecture by the firm Dubois et associés. The extremely modern appearance of this mirror façade was envisaged as creating a connection between the upper and lower levels of the city. To continue the route, walk along the contemporary garden created by landscaper Nicolas Noizet to run alongside this building.
The large building visible at the centre of the mirror is the Hôtel Gassion. You can also see here the apse of Saint Martin’s Church on the left and on the right, the Parliament of Navarre, the Tour de la Monnaie tower and the castle. The Palais Beaumont and the town hall are not visible from here.
The Hôtel du Département, built between 1998 and 2000, is a creation of contemporary architecture by the firm Dubois et associés. The extremely modern appearance of this mirror façade was envisaged as creating a connection between the upper and lower levels of the city. To continue the route, walk along the contemporary garden created by landscaper Nicolas Noizet to run alongside this building.
The large building visible at the centre of the mirror is the Hôtel Gassion. You can also see here the apse of Saint Martin’s Church on the left and on the right, the Parliament of Navarre, the Tour de la Monnaie tower and the castle. The Palais Beaumont and the town hall are not visible from here.
The Hôtel du Département, built between 1998 and 2000, is a creation of contemporary architecture by the firm Dubois et associés. The extremely modern appearance of this mirror façade was envisaged as creating a connection between the upper and lower levels of the city. To continue the route, walk along the contemporary garden created by landscaper Nicolas Noizet to run alongside this building.
From where you are standing now, you can see the structure of the Boulevard des Pyrénées. This long promenade actually sits on a viaduct that was built in 1900 against the rock face. In this video, discover what lies beneath this iconic balcony over the city!
