The multimedia tour leads you on a discovery of a slice of Pau’s recent history when it was a successful resort town between the 19th and 20th centuries, using video and audio commentary that will take you from the Place Royale to the Kofu garden, via the Palais Beaumont and its park.
Explore here the particular way of life in a resort town between the 19th century and the start of the 20th century through this interview with Cécile Devos, a researcher with the cultural heritage inventory for the city of Pau.
This Art Deco building is an excellent illustration of the last structures built in Pau as part of the resort town in the 1930s. This is an opportunity to learn more about this beautiful building that Pau residents nicknamed “the columns building”.
This former winter palace from 1898, another iconic building in Pau with its bell towers, is now a conference centre. Take some time to explore its history with this audio clip.
Which element of architectural decoration can you identify on the bell towers of the Palais Beaumont?
Which element of architectural decoration can you identify on the bell towers of the Palais Beaumont?
The bell towers are decorated with several flame-vase finials. This architectural feature, a vase topped with a flame, appeared in the 17th century and was widely used in Baroque architecture. In this case, the Baroque Revival style that was in vogue at the end of the 19th century borrows references from the Baroque era, which are shown particularly in pediments, intricately detailed sculpted plant motifs, alternating concave and convex shapes and the use of curves and straight lines. The building is also decorated with mascarons, the sculpted faces that mimic the style of Antiquity, while also reminiscent of Baroque architecture.
The bell towers are decorated with several flame-vase finials. This architectural feature, a vase topped with a flame, appeared in the 17th century and was widely used in Baroque architecture. In this case, the Baroque Revival style that was in vogue at the end of the 19th century borrows references from the Baroque era, which are shown particularly in pediments, intricately detailed sculpted plant motifs, alternating concave and convex shapes and the use of curves and straight lines. The building is also decorated with mascarons, the sculpted faces that mimic the style of Antiquity, while also reminiscent of Baroque architecture.
The bell towers are decorated with several flame-vase finials. This architectural feature, a vase topped with a flame, appeared in the 17th century and was widely used in Baroque architecture. In this case, the Baroque Revival style that was in vogue at the end of the 19th century borrows references from the Baroque era, which are shown particularly in pediments, intricately detailed sculpted plant motifs, alternating concave and convex shapes and the use of curves and straight lines. The building is also decorated with mascarons, the sculpted faces that mimic the style of Antiquity, while also reminiscent of Baroque architecture.
Which societal concern was the reason for building this open-air theatre?
Which societal concern was the reason for building this open-air theatre?
This open-air theatre was built in 1933 to be a public entertainment space able to hold a large number of people, in accordance with the theory of democratising culture in the 1930s. Designed by Louis Decorges, its initial shape has roots in Art Deco, as can be seen in its straight lines and geometric shapes. Successive reworkings transformed its appearance, especially with the addition of stone seats. Protected on either side by a curtain of trees, it provides a hidden space ‘inside the outdoors’. Concerts are held here every summer.
This open-air theatre was built in 1933 to be a public entertainment space able to hold a large number of people, in accordance with the theory of democratising culture in the 1930s. Designed by Louis Decorges, its initial shape has roots in Art Deco, as can be seen in its straight lines and geometric shapes. Successive reworkings transformed its appearance, especially with the addition of stone seats. Protected on either side by a curtain of trees, it provides a hidden space ‘inside the outdoors’. Concerts are held here every summer.
This open-air theatre was built in 1933 to be a public entertainment space able to hold a large number of people, in accordance with the theory of democratising culture in the 1930s. Designed by Louis Decorges, its initial shape has roots in Art Deco, as can be seen in its straight lines and geometric shapes. Successive reworkings transformed its appearance, especially with the addition of stone seats. Protected on either side by a curtain of trees, it provides a hidden space ‘inside the outdoors’. Concerts are held here every summer.
A very specific landscape design has been created here. What name was given to this small garden in the Parc Beaumont?
It is called the jardin pyrénéen because it depicts a miniature mountain landscape with its precipitous terrain, its rocky outcrops, waterfall, small river and native plants, such as the English iris. Built during the interwar period, it takes inspiration from the concept of the alpine garden, or alpinium, a botanical garden that artificially reproduces the conditions favourable to high-altitude plants. It includes wetlands, drylands, stony areas and different levels of sun exposure. It was created with the aim of conserving and studying plants. Today, it is used for teaching and raising the public’s awareness of biodiversity.
It is called the jardin pyrénéen because it depicts a miniature mountain landscape with its precipitous terrain, its rocky outcrops, waterfall, small river and native plants, such as the English iris. Built during the interwar period, it takes inspiration from the concept of the alpine garden, or alpinium, a botanical garden that artificially reproduces the conditions favourable to high-altitude plants. It includes wetlands, drylands, stony areas and different levels of sun exposure. It was created with the aim of conserving and studying plants. Today, it is used for teaching and raising the public’s awareness of biodiversity.
It is called the jardin pyrénéen because it depicts a miniature mountain landscape with its precipitous terrain, its rocky outcrops, waterfall, small river and native plants, such as the English iris. Built during the interwar period, it takes inspiration from the concept of the alpine garden, or alpinium, a botanical garden that artificially reproduces the conditions favourable to high-altitude plants. It includes wetlands, drylands, stony areas and different levels of sun exposure. It was created with the aim of conserving and studying plants. Today, it is used for teaching and raising the public’s awareness of biodiversity.
The building opposite you is a court for playing jeu de paume, a precursor to tennis. Which French expression is connected to this game?
The building opposite you is a court for playing jeu de paume, a precursor to tennis. Which French expression is connected to this game?
The expression “It’s all fun and games, until someone gets hurt” (jeu de main, jeu de vilain) comes from this game. It was originally played with bare hands, then wearing a leather glove from the 13th century, with a wooden paddle from the 15th century and finally a racquet from the 16th century. Only the poor, referred to derogatorily as “vilains”, continued to play with their hands, as they were unable to afford a racquet.
The first jeu de paume court is mentioned in the outer wall of the Château de Pau in 1420. By 1824, two others had followed. What you see before you in Parc Beaumont was built in 1877 by the Pau municipality and funded by public subscription, with contributions largely provided by wealthy winter visitors and influential businessmen. Its purpose was to enhance the range of leisure activities on offer for the middle classes who lived in Pau, whether seasonally or permanently. Although it fell in popularity after the Second World War, jeu de paume is finding new momentum today.
The expression “It’s all fun and games, until someone gets hurt” (jeu de main, jeu de vilain) comes from this game. It was originally played with bare hands, then wearing a leather glove from the 13th century, with a wooden paddle from the 15th century and finally a racquet from the 16th century. Only the poor, referred to derogatorily as “vilains”, continued to play with their hands, as they were unable to afford a racquet.
The first jeu de paume court is mentioned in the outer wall of the Château de Pau in 1420. By 1824, two others had followed. What you see before you in Parc Beaumont was built in 1877 by the Pau municipality and funded by public subscription, with contributions largely provided by wealthy winter visitors and influential businessmen. Its purpose was to enhance the range of leisure activities on offer for the middle classes who lived in Pau, whether seasonally or permanently. Although it fell in popularity after the Second World War, jeu de paume is finding new momentum today.
The expression “It’s all fun and games, until someone gets hurt” (jeu de main, jeu de vilain) comes from this game. It was originally played with bare hands, then wearing a leather glove from the 13th century, with a wooden paddle from the 15th century and finally a racquet from the 16th century. Only the poor, referred to derogatorily as “vilains”, continued to play with their hands, as they were unable to afford a racquet.
The first jeu de paume court is mentioned in the outer wall of the Château de Pau in 1420. By 1824, two others had followed. What you see before you in Parc Beaumont was built in 1877 by the Pau municipality and funded by public subscription, with contributions largely provided by wealthy winter visitors and influential businessmen. Its purpose was to enhance the range of leisure activities on offer for the middle classes who lived in Pau, whether seasonally or permanently. Although it fell in popularity after the Second World War, jeu de paume is finding new momentum today.
This neo-Gothic chapel is part of a religious structure, the Réparatrices convent, which was built in the 19th century by the Baroness de Brienen. In this video, discover the architectural details and interior decoration of the chapel, as well as the cloister located at the rear.
This odd little pavilion used to decorate the large park of the San Carlos villa, which has since been divided into several plots. Which decorative style was used in its construction?
This odd little pavilion used to decorate the large park of the San Carlos villa, which has since been divided into several plots. Which decorative style was used in its construction?
It is a rococo construction, which is another name given to the false-wood cement effect, where cement is used to imitate branches. This type of decoration derives from the rockeries of the Baroque period, artificial grottos and fountains made from shells and small stones that were created to brighten up gardens. At the end of the 19th century and start of the 20th century, Rococo saw a resurgence in a new form, with the use of concrete outdoors to create small bridges, balustrades, ponds and furniture made from false wood or stone.
The pavilion here is a garden folly, as it has a purely decorative purpose and is completely fanciful. It was built in around 1930 and restored in 2016.
It is a rococo construction, which is another name given to the false-wood cement effect, where cement is used to imitate branches. This type of decoration derives from the rockeries of the Baroque period, artificial grottos and fountains made from shells and small stones that were created to brighten up gardens. At the end of the 19th century and start of the 20th century, Rococo saw a resurgence in a new form, with the use of concrete outdoors to create small bridges, balustrades, ponds and furniture made from false wood or stone.
The pavilion here is a garden folly, as it has a purely decorative purpose and is completely fanciful. It was built in around 1930 and restored in 2016.
It is a rococo construction, which is another name given to the false-wood cement effect, where cement is used to imitate branches. This type of decoration derives from the rockeries of the Baroque period, artificial grottos and fountains made from shells and small stones that were created to brighten up gardens. At the end of the 19th century and start of the 20th century, Rococo saw a resurgence in a new form, with the use of concrete outdoors to create small bridges, balustrades, ponds and furniture made from false wood or stone.
The pavilion here is a garden folly, as it has a purely decorative purpose and is completely fanciful. It was built in around 1930 and restored in 2016.
You are now in a quarter filled with villas that were built when Pau was a very popular destination as a resort town. Claude Laroche, a researcher for the cultural heritage and inventory department of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, presents the main characteristics of these luxury residences and some examples of Pau’s grandest villas.
You are standing in front of the Kofu garden. To which Asian country does it pay tribute?
You are standing in front of the Kofu garden. To which Asian country does it pay tribute?
It is a Japanese garden that was designed in honour of the city of Kofu, which is twinned with Pau. Landscapers from the two twin cities collaborated to produce this contemporary Franco-Japanese creation. The three characteristic elements of a Japanese garden are brought together here: water, minerals and plants. The cultures from the two countries are merged here in their shared admiration for the beauty of nature. The shrub shaped like a cloud is a juniper. In April, the floral azaleas create a burst of red floral cushions, while the pink-petalled ornamental plum trees that edge the garden recreate the ambience of spring in Japan under the flowering cherry trees.
It is a Japanese garden that was designed in honour of the city of Kofu, which is twinned with Pau. Landscapers from the two twin cities collaborated to produce this contemporary Franco-Japanese creation. The three characteristic elements of a Japanese garden are brought together here: water, minerals and plants. The cultures from the two countries are merged here in their shared admiration for the beauty of nature. The shrub shaped like a cloud is a juniper. In April, the floral azaleas create a burst of red floral cushions, while the pink-petalled ornamental plum trees that edge the garden recreate the ambience of spring in Japan under the flowering cherry trees.
It is a Japanese garden that was designed in honour of the city of Kofu, which is twinned with Pau. Landscapers from the two twin cities collaborated to produce this contemporary Franco-Japanese creation. The three characteristic elements of a Japanese garden are brought together here: water, minerals and plants. The cultures from the two countries are merged here in their shared admiration for the beauty of nature. The shrub shaped like a cloud is a juniper. In April, the floral azaleas create a burst of red floral cushions, while the pink-petalled ornamental plum trees that edge the garden recreate the ambience of spring in Japan under the flowering cherry trees.
Which hundred-year-old trees can be found in Square Besson?
Square Besson is home to 40 hundred-year-old coastal redwood sequoias. They were part of the park belonging to the Beit-Rahat villa. To admire these majestic trees, go up the path through the square to the caretaker’s lodge. This little building that now looks onto Avenue Trespoey used to guard the old entrance to the estate. The villa was situated at the back of the park, far from the entrance, so as to face the Pyrenees mountains. Who would want to turn their back on a view like that?
Square Besson is home to 40 hundred-year-old coastal redwood sequoias. They were part of the park belonging to the Beit-Rahat villa. To admire these majestic trees, go up the path through the square to the caretaker’s lodge. This little building that now looks onto Avenue Trespoey used to guard the old entrance to the estate. The villa was situated at the back of the park, far from the entrance, so as to face the Pyrenees mountains. Who would want to turn their back on a view like that?
Square Besson is home to 40 hundred-year-old coastal redwood sequoias. They were part of the park belonging to the Beit-Rahat villa. To admire these majestic trees, go up the path through the square to the caretaker’s lodge. This little building that now looks onto Avenue Trespoey used to guard the old entrance to the estate. The villa was situated at the back of the park, far from the entrance, so as to face the Pyrenees mountains. Who would want to turn their back on a view like that?
The villa Nitot is an example of a 19th-century Pau villa, built facing the Pyrenees in a large park with annexe buildings. This audio guide lets you explore it in more detail.
