Horizon of exception Enter the postcard

For a long time, the people of Palois were wary of this opening onto the disquieting world of the mountains: the town took refuge behind the walls of its ramparts, and only the château watched over and took advantage of this landscape. But in the 18th and 19th centuries, Pyreneanism broke down the walls and opened up our horizons! A sporting and cultural movement, it inspired the Romantics and accompanied the development of spa and climatic tourism, of which Pau is emblematic. The mild climate and blue “beth ceù de Pau” (Pau’s beautiful sky), the quality of the environment, an impressive history, the proximity of the mountains and the Pyrenees boulevard are the ingredients that structure the landscape and establish the reputation of the capital of Béarn.

“Four o’clock in the morning. – Imperial. – Mists. – Wide plains. – The sun in your eyes. – A trail of vapors marks the Gave de Pau to the right. – Towards noon, the Pyrenees could only be made out by a few white streaks on the horizon, as if the blue dress of the sky, scratched in places, were showing its silver weft.”Victor Hugo 1843- On a journey II – From Bayonne to Pau