The imposing monument to the dead that stands behind the church is personified by Athena, goddess of war and representing victorious France. It was built in 1927 for World War I combatants.

Just a word about the prestigious Gassion Inn you have in front of you, because it says a lot about the buildings that Pau saw born during its tourist boom. So, as you can imagine, the Inn was built to accommodate a certain class of tourists.

The white building you have on this square tells us a whole part of the history of Pau. Today it hosts the Atlantic Pyrenees General Trip Tip, but has had many other functions

You finally arrived at the beautiful castle of Pau! Before being this magnificent Renaissance palace, the Château de Pau was a mere fortification erected to watch the ford crossing on the Gave and surrounded by a wooden fence, which claims to be pau in Béarnais and which would have given its name to the city.

Pau is one of the most flowery cities in France. You are now passing through the Renaissance garden of the castle. If you want to go further, you can continue your exploration by crossing the bridge of Nemours that will take you to the beautiful royal park enjoying an exceptional view of the castle.

The Place de la Monnaie, below the castle, allows us to enjoy an excellent overview.

You now take the pleasant landscaped paths better known as the “Trails du Roy”. This charming walk has recently been highlighted and allows to reach the lower part of the city.

Here you are on the site of the old Pau velodrome, built in 1901. With about 100 starts and finishes, Pau is considered the capital of the Tour de France.

This is the iconic image of the Roaring Twenties Pau! His funicular! In 1905, fortunes from all over the world came to Pau and the city did everything possible to welcome its distinguished guests!

The arrival of the funicular on the roof of the Arts Pavilion offers a spectacular view of the surrounding area. The royal square has only been open to the landscape since 1808 during Napoleon’s visit, who ordered the expansion of the square.

As you can see, Pau was strongly marked by the arrival of aristocrats from all over the world. But where did this sudden infatuation come from for this city that has not been a royal capital for centuries?!

The avenue you have just climbed, lined with beautiful shops is the renaissance of the old Pyrenees Palace whose roof and dome have been removed to make it an open, airy and dynamic commercial passage.

You are lucky, the Halles de Pau are all beautiful and brand new! You will be able to discover the béarnais terroir in the best possible conditions!

Just after the Palais de Justice, you arrive in front of the Church of Saint James, built on the site of the former chapel of the Cordeliers convent.

The beautiful stone house, which stands before you, is the birthplace of Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte. You may not know anything about his name, but we are talking about the king of Sweden and Norway!

The Rue du Hédas, which stretches under your feet, follows the bed of the old eponymous stream. If you saw it from the sky, you would see that the street winds through the city.

You are now on the one that was, in the Middle Ages, the main artery of the city, the Great Street, which started from the castle and extended ever further east.

The church of Saint Martin in front of which you arrive is the second of the name, installed in Pau. A first Saint Martin church was built in the 15th century opposite the Château de Pau, on the current deportation square.