Pau and the Bearn.

Pau is the prefecture of the Pyrenees Atlantique, originally a fortified staging post on the Banks of the Gave de Pau. Gaston Febus was responsible for the early development when he authorised his architect to construct a brick fortress. In 1450 Pau became the Capital of the Bearn.

Henri d'Albret, lord of Béarn, married Marguerite d'Angoulême and they were responsible for the transformation of the existing chateau.  Their grandson,  Henri was born in 1553 and to mark the occasion, according to legend, Henri d'Albret rubbed his lips with garlic and Jurancon.

Henri was later to proclaim himself as king of France in 1579, the first of the Bourbon dynasty.  It was only in 1593 on converting back to Catholicism that he was officially crowned Henri IV of France at Chartres.  This was devastating to his protestant supporters yet they were not forgotten as the Edict of Nantes signed in  1598 allowed them the freedom to practice their faith. 

After the peninsular wars many of the officers who had fought in the area settled in Pau attracted by the mild climate and its therapeutic reputation for respiratory diseases.   The first Golf course to be built on the European continent was established here in 1856. Jeu de Paume was played extensively at the Palais Beaumont and there are moves  underway to re-establish the court which is now used for Trinquet,  a version of the popular Basque game of Pelote.

Pau Hunt

Fox hunting has survived here since 1842 and due to the bans on hunting in the UK  there is renewed interest in developing the activity with the likelihood that  hounds  will soon be relocated from the UK.

  

Pau Hunt "official site"

Surrounding area.

To the south of Pau one climbs rapidly into the foothills of the Pyrenees.  This area is rich with cultural traditions and the countryside is quite spectacular.  The verdant Jurancon hills are speckled with elegant homes and boutique vineyards famous for their white wines. Varietals are Courbu, Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng. The wines are generally dry, but sweet if affected by Botrytis cinerea.  Domaine Cauhapé, Domaine Larredya and Clos Uroulat are our favourites.  

Oloron St Marie, Navarrenx, Sallies de Bearn, Sauveterre de Bearn,  Bosdarros and Sallies de Bearn are all villages worth visiting. 

	Featured properties in the Pau region.
RYANAIR	There are daily flights to Pau from Stansted.
	Tourist Board
	Musée national du Château de Pau