Pau, Aquitaine, France

Palais Beaumont, Pau, France
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Palais_Beaumont.JPG
Author: Florent Pécassou


Pau is a town in the district of Pyrénées-Atlantiques, in Aquitaine, France. It is on the northern slopes of the Pyrenees mountains. The town covers 31.5 sq km (12 sq mi) and has a population of 85,000 people (2012 estimate). It is today a university town, though its university was only founded in 1972.

The history of human settlement in Pau dates back to the 11th century, where a fort was built here. By the 15th century, it had developed substantially, and was made the provincial capital of Béarn. Kind Henry IV of France was born at the Château de Pau, in the heart of town, in 1553. The castle is one of the tourist attractions today.

Pau developed its tourism industry as early as the 19th century, when it was discovered by British vacationers after the Duke of Wellington left a garrison there. They introduced the game of golf. As a result, Pau has the first 18-hole golf course in Europe.

How to go to Pau

The high-speed TGV train makes a stop in Pau from Bordeaux and Paris. The journey from Paris to Pau on the TGV is five hours.

Pau Castle
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ch%C3%A2teau_de_Pau.jpg
Author: Florent Pécassou

Places of Interest in Pau

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