Nestled on a plateau at the foot of the Pyrenées, Pau has long been the playground for royalty and nobility. Once the summer home to Napoleon and Marie Antoinette, as well as the birthplace of a number of kings, the city's architecture reflects the sumptuous lifestyles of its illustrious former residents.
Pau is an excellent area to stay in order to take advantage of the natural beauty of the Pyrenées. All around the city are hiking and cycling trails, and there are six ski areas within easy reach of the city. For natural beauty within the city, stroll through Parc Beaumont or explore the gardens of the city's gem, the Château de Pau.
The Château is the historical focus of Pau. The city is dominated by this large castle, which was the birthplace of Henri IV, King of France and Navarre. The carefully restored chaâteau is now home to a national museum, displaying a large and beautiful collection of tapestries. Pau has a number of architectural beauties, including the Pont du 14 juillet, the Palais Beaumont and the fountains of the Place Clemenceau.
Pau is home to a number of excellent museums. The Musée des Beaux Arts offers a vast collection of fine arts from Europe and the Orient. The Bernadotte Museum is situated in the well-preserved birth home of Jean-Baptiste Jules Bernadotte, the young sergeant who fought with Napoleon Bonaparte and was eventually crowned King of Sweden and Norway in 1818. The city also features museums dedicated to the production of berets, Foie Gras, and Bayonne ham.
The city was home to an aviation training school near the end of WWI, which brought English and American troops to the town for training. The aviation heritage of Pau is commemorated in the town's Parachute Regiment Museum.
