Timeless and so alive The legacy of resort villas

A stroll through Belle Epoque Pau is a must for all beauty-loving visitors! A visit you can make by bike, or on foot if you have a little more time. We take you back to the Belle Epoque. In the 19th century, Pau became a resort town, renowned for its climate… This was all it took to attract the Anglo-American community, who stayed mainly during the winter months.

This period has left its mark on our town, and today we can still glimpse the marvellous traces of its past, notably through its villas and their parks, which invite you to daydream.

We take you on a journey to discover a glorious past, as witnessed by the beautiful villas and fairytale palaces surrounded by immense parks, when Pau was (almost) an English town.

Françoise, inveterate traveller

I'm passionate about art, I'm a traveler, even a backpacker, I love nature and the great outdoors, but I'm also a city girl who loves underground places. I like to be surprised at any moment, because I need a bit of here, with a good dose of there, to live my city well...

Pau Palais Beaumont Aerien Pau Pyrenees Tourisme Guilhamasse

Our walk begins near the boulevard des Pyrénées, in the Parc Beaumont, the perfect English garden with wonderful century-old trees of rare species such as California redwoods, Himalayan cedars and magnolias. In 1878, leisure facilities were added to make it a living space that would appeal to English tourists and sportsmen alike: the bandstand, lake, Pyrenean garden and outdoor theater, tennis courts, polo field, cricket pitch and jeu de paume.
The Villa Beaumont, the legacy of the poet Anne de Noailles, has been converted into a winter palace, then a conference center…

Take the road towards the Chapelle des Réparatrices, transformed into the Conservatoire de musique et de danse auditorium.

Continue along rue des Réparatrices, turning right into Avenue San Carlos and left into Avenue Nitot.

Contemplate the beauty of the Palais skyline from villa to villa. The balustrade, like an Ariadne’s thread, continues from the Boulevard des Pyrénées to Trespoey, the district of beautiful holiday villas. Originally, the engineer Alphand had planned to extend the promenade to this point, but his plans were modified due to the high cost of the work.

Béarno-English style

The English villas, a cross between chalets and manor houses, art deco and Béarnais style, are hybrid architectures that are nonetheless full of charm.

In town

Without leaving Pau, travel back in time to Trespoey… a stroll through the countryside in the city!

Car-free

A walk or bike ride to enjoy a moment out of time, a stroll between nature and architecture.

Nature

Here, nature serves as a backdrop for the villas that hide within. Parks and gardens dot Pau, many of them open to the public.

With family or friends

A walk accessible to all, where children can enjoy moments of freedom. Bring your own picnic.

Preparing your trip

Don’t hesitate to stop by theTourist Office to pick up a map and get some good advice. We’ll give you all the ideas and tips you need to make the most of your stroll.

Villas with view

On a small square, the San Carlos kiosk is also a witness to the period. It is in the “rocaille” style, made of reinforced concrete but reminiscent of wood. It belonged to the gardens of the Villa San Carlos. Perhaps it was used for galant encounters…

Along the boulevard, with a view of the Pyrenees, is the Villa San Carlos, a small Louis XIII-style château with two pointed towers recognizable from afar. It was built in 1862 for the Baroness de Brienen as the Réparatrices convent (now the Conservatoire de Danse et de Musique). The villa is now divided into apartments.

1 rue du stade nautique: the Beit Rahat villa, recognizable by its light-blue shutters. In 1850, the Countess de Carantilly had the Chalet Minchin, now the Villa Beit-Rahat, built. Its south-facing position gives it an unobstructed view of the Pyrenees. Inherited from the Villa Beit Rahat, Georges Besson Square is home to magnificent cedars and 40-metre-high redwoods. It leads to the discreet but magnificent Kofu Japanese garden.

A manor house and pebbles The Nitot villa

At the corner of the street, the Villa Nitot at no. 3 offers a fine example of the neo-renaissance style, with its slender neo-Gothic tower, exposed cobblestones and bow window. The pebbles used come from the Gave de Pau…
Built in 1890, it has now been converted into luxury apartments.

At the end of the cul-de-sac that extends the avenue: a Garden of Eden! A magnificent bamboo grove, a winding path and a pretty “Jardipotes” shared garden – a green setting in the heart of the city!

Neighborhood of Basque-English villas! Trespoey

Magnificent parks and beautiful villas punctuate the stroll, without ever losing sight of the Pyrenees panorama, emblematic of the area!

Et voila, the villas on Avenue Trespoey! Walk along the Sainte Ursule school to Avenue Trespoey. On the right, Saint Basil’s villa, at 61 avenue Trespoey. If the gates are open, don’t hesitate to take a tour of the immense grounds. Built in 1889 by a Parisian rentier, it was owned by Mr. Tooley, husband of a wealthy Argentinian heiress, before reverting to the city of Pau. In the petit salon, a marvellous décor based on the Cinderella fairy tale, created by Pau painter René Marie Castaing.

Some villas are open to the public during the European Heritage Days, or for visits and events organized by the Tourist Office.

English charmVilla de Navarre

A little further on, at 59 avenue Trespoey, is the marvellous Villa de Navarre, built by Parisian architect Auguste Guillemin between 1865 and 1870. Formerly owned by Mrs. Ridgway from 1923 to 1930, it long belonged to the old Beigbeder family from Béarn. Frédéric, a famous writer, used to play in the park as a child.

Today, it’s a superb 30-room hotel*****. Ask for a tour of its 2-hectare park and formal gardens, offering breathtaking mountain views. Admire from the hotel lobby, the beautifully wood-panelled lounges, the large library…

But to really appreciate the voluptuousness of the setting, take the time for a meal on the terrace or a cup of tea, unless you decide to make it your home away from home…

Discover

Charm and easy living Belle Epoque nostalgia

From one end of the Avenue to the other, villas of varying sizes compete in beauty and uniqueness. It’s on a somewhat nostalgic note that this tour comes to an end, even if I sometimes enjoy exploring the surrounding streets and cul-de-sacs, which also conceal many hidden treasures.

My advice: get as lost as possible and find the “Villa” of your dreams.

Return to the town center via Avenue Trespoey or a discovery route of your choice.

Experience the Belle Epoque

To discover the history of “Pau ville anglaise” and its magnificent villas through anecdotes and “little stories”, you can take part in a guided tour organized by the Tourist Office or by Caroline Barrow – an epicurean guide, who will open the doors of some of these villas… or take a ride on the Petit train de Pau, which will show you part of our itinerary.

Or why not stay in a beautiful English villa for a charming and luxurious stay?