Pau, between history, light and Pyrenean landscapes
Nestled at the foot of the Pyrenees, between mountains and ocean, Pau is a city whose discreet charm seduces travelers and history buffs alike. It's also an inexhaustible source of inspiration for any photographer drawn to the changing light, architectural elegance, and soul of the place.
A medieval cradle that became a royal capital
Originally, Pau was just a modest fortified town built around a natural promontory. Its name comes from the palisades ( paus in Béarnese) that surrounded the site. From the Middle Ages onwards, the city grew in importance, eventually becoming the capital of Béarn in the 16th century.
It was here that Henry IV was born in 1553, in the Château de Pau , an emblematic monument of the city, still open to visitors. This royal cradle forever marks the identity of Pau, which can be found in its historic streets, its noble buildings and its local pride.
An art of living between nature and elegance
Pau is also a resort town. At the end of the 19th century, its mild climate and breathtaking mountain views attracted the English aristocracy. From this period, it retains a unique character: large villas, manicured gardens, a casino, a century-old golf course... and above all the Boulevard des Pyrénées , a spectacular belvedere suspended between the city and the peaks.
This contrast between heritage and nature is a real feast for the eyes. Each season, Pau reveals a different side: light mist on the ancient rooftops, golden light on the Gave, majestic silhouettes of the snow-capped Pyrenees...
A lively and inspiring city
Even today, Pau continues to reinvent itself. It hosts numerous cultural and sporting events, including the famous Grand Prix de Pau , and establishes itself as a dynamic hub in the southwest with its universities, innovative businesses, and remarkable quality of life .
For me, as a photographer, Pau is a land of endless exploration. I often linger there, camera in hand, to capture those moments where past and present meet, where light sculpts the stones, where scenes of life blend into a setting steeped in history.
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