Palais Beaumont From winter palace to convention center

Today, the Palais Beaumont is the first point of contact with Pau for many delegates, who are impressed by its beauty, the breathtaking views from its terrace and its verdant surroundings. Yet for over 100 years, this worthy witness to the spirit of the resort has seen a lot of people come and go! For a long time, it was the center of Palais life, where sumptuous receptions were held. Successively winter palace, casino and hospital, since 2000 it has been Palais’ convention center.

Getting there

The Convention Center

In the heart of a magnificent English-style park, sits the Palais Beaumont. Today, this convention center offers a sumptuous setting for large-scale professional events of up to 750 people. Under its high ceilings, its honeyed wood panelling and in its rooms that open wide towards the Pyrenees, seminars and professional events take place, but when you listen, the voices of the past are never far away. For it has already lived several lives since its creation in 1895.

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The winter palace

On November 4, 1898, the Palais d’hiver was inaugurated on the edge of the Parc Beaumont, on the site of a villa. Designed by architect Emile Bertrand, its 1,800 m2 palmarium houses an exceptional exotic garden. Complete with games and entertainment rooms, as well as a restaurant, it became a Mecca for winter visitors. To link it to the heart of the city, the Boulevard des Pyrénées was built.

It was Anna de Noailles (1876-1933) who granted the land to the town of Pau. The Winter Palace replaced the villa that had stood in the middle of the arc. The pretty kiosk in the park bears her name in memory of the celebrated novelist and poetess.

Over time

The prestigious reception venue, designed in the neo-rococo style of the Belle-Epoque, is a veritable winter palace with large glass windows housing the palmarium. After the First World War, the palace could no longer be maintained and was falling into disrepair, so the town council entrusted its management to the Société des Casinos de Cannes et Deauville. The premises were transformed: a large rectangular hall and a beautiful semi-circular rotunda replaced the palmarium.

It was used as a hospital during the Second World War and slowly fell into disrepair, suffering the ravages of time. In 1997, the municipality decided to give it a new lease of life and a new mission. In 2000, as the casino moved to the racecourse, the Palais Beaumont, still a dazzling reminder of the 1930s, became a corporate convention center.

Palais des congrès

Easy access

At the end of boulevard des Pyrénées, it’s just a few minutes’ walk from the station: take the funicular up to the top right and follow boulevard des Pyrénées! You’re there!

English garden

Parc Beaumont is a marvellous English-style park. Its redwoods, magnolias, palms, cedars and large lawns are an invitation to relax. A must-see in Palais!

Balcony overlooking the Pyrenees

You’ll never tire of the view from the Palais Beaumont. It’s one of the finest vantage points in the Pyrenees.

Walks in the park

Théâtre de verdure, statues, kiosk, stream, trinquet… The park is full of surprises. Take the time to explore Parc Beaumont on a stroll: you won’t be disappointed.

Around the Palace Beaumont Park

The Palais Beaumont overlooks the Pyrenees like a jewel set in its green setting: the Parc Beaumont. Its remarkable, exotic trees and landscaped lake make it a perfect example of the English style. In 1899, a bandstand was built for the municipal orchestra, followed by tennis courts, a polo field and a cricket pitch, and the trinquet for jeu de paume, still in use today, as well as the Théâtre de Verdure added in 1933.