Pau is packed with eye-candy and worthy photo album material, with sights to appeal to visitors of all backgrounds. Take a leisurely stroll along the pretty boulevard des Pyrenees, a step back in time in the splendid Pau Castle or a relaxed meander through the pleasant nature of Beaumont Park.
Beaumont Park
A popular hangout with the locals on sunny days, Parc Beaumont was landscaped out of an estate that belonged to local noblemen from designs by renowned architect Henri Martinet. Created in the late 19th century, the park offers spacious, open green areas; shady trees; hedges; and flowers, and is the ideal place to spend a leisurely spring or summer afternoon.
Boulevard des Pyrenees
The famous Boulevard des Pyrenees was created in 1876 by the mayor of Pau, Aristide de Monpezat on request of Napoleon I, and was built to provide a link between the chateau and the Beaumont Park for persons attending the city’s health resorts. The boulevard is perhaps best known for offering fantastic panoramic views of the Pyrenean peaks to the south of the city.
Cathedral of Lescar
Although not especially impressive from the outside, the Cathedral of Lescar is worth a visit for the gems housed inside. The mosaics, the creators of which are unknown, are among the most notable sights here, adding an unusual ambience to the choir area. A bronze plaque in the church claims that the bodies of several Navarre monarchs, including the grandparents of Henri IV, are buried within the building.
Château de Pau
Among the most famous castles in the Aquitaine region, Château de Pau is famous for having been the birthplace of King Henry IV and for serving as a holiday home for Napoleon during his time in power. A small garden in the castle grounds was apparently a favourite with Marie Antoinette during summer visits to the city. Besides the grand architecture of the castle, visitors can appreciate the impressive tapestry collection on display in its interior.
Church of St Martin
Completed in 1868, the Church of St Martin is a striking structure which owes much of its imposing appearance to it significant width and depth, and also to its impressive 70-metre high bell tower. The design of the church was the work of famous French architect Paul-Louis Boeswillwald and was influenced by aspects of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Inside are some interesting stained glass works and a painting by Eugene Deveria, as well as objects donated by Queen Isabelle on a visit in 1868.
Monein
Travel just 18 miles (30kms) west of Pau and you come to the village of Monein, a destination that proclaims itself as ‘the heart of Bearn’. The village is a pretty, little-developed place with only 4,000 residents, and has managed to retain a traditional medieval ambience. There are numerous notable sights in the village, but one of the most impressive is the Gothic St Girons Church. Vineyards surround the village, making it a genuinely eye-catching and aesthetically pleasing location.
