What are the ‘Horizons palois’ in Pau?

The ‘Horizons palois’ comprise 17 sites that have been listed since 1944 to preserve the view from Pau: the Pyrenees, the Jurançon hillsides , the Gave plain, forests, vineyards and villas .

What is the iconic peak visible from the Boulevard des Pyrénées in Pau?

The Pic du Midi d’Ossau , rising to 2,884 metres, is one of the most recognisable peaks to the south as seen from the Boulevard des Pyrénées , thanks to its distinctive silhouette.

Who built Boulevard des Pyrénées in Pau, and when?

Designed by the engineer Jean-Charles Adolphe Alphand, the Boulevard des Pyrénées was built in the 1890s. Opened in stages between 1893 and 1899, it links the château to the Palais Beaumont .

What role did Alexander Taylor play in Pau’s development?

In 1842, the English doctor Alexander Taylor extolled the benefits of Pau’s climate in a book. His publication helped to make Pau a popular health resort and contributed to its growth as a tourist destination in the 19th century.

Where can you catch the Pau funicular?

The Pau funicular links the SNCF railway station to Boulevard des Pyrénées , between the lower town and the city centre . The lower station is situated right next to the railway station.

An exceptional view Step into the postcard

Pau and its exceptional panoramic views. It’s impossible to overlook such striking beauty! Seventeen sites are listed as part of the ‘Horizons Palois’ scheme: together, they make up the panorama visible from Pau. This initiative aims to preserve for the long term the breathtaking view from this panoramic city: the Pyrenees mountain range, the Jurançon hillsides and the Gave de Pau valley, the holiday homes, the palm grove… Unchanging yet ever-changing with the seasons, these landscapes will surprise you every time you look at them, without ever disappointing you!

Getting there

Pau Horizons

Protecting the view from Pau! That is the aim of the 1944 decree classifying the ‘Horizons palois’. A landscape created by Mother Nature, but not solely by her. Whilst the forests, the Pyrenean peaks and the salt marshes around the Gave are shaped by geography and geology, the landscape has been altered by human intervention: the vineyards, the fields, the gardens of the holiday villas…

Together, these elements create a unique and unforgettable vista in which the town and the countryside, the man-made and the natural, coexist in harmony. ‘Les Horizons Palois’ encompasses the view from Pau and the protected sites on the hillsides: the Billère golf course, and the villas and châteaux in Bizanos, Gelos, Jurançon, Mazères-Lezons and Uzos.

Discover

The place to visit

The Boulevard des Pyrénées was opened between the château and the Palais Beaumont between 1893 and 1899. This scenic route, stretching for nearly 2 kilometres, is an iconic feature of Pau, offering a 180° view of the Pyrenees, where the Pic d’Ossau stands out against the blue sky. It’s the perfect spot to see and be seen, an invitation to stroll and contemplate. The ‘beautiful people’ of the Belle Époque knew exactly what they were doing, as do today’s visitors, who compete to post breathtaking photos on social media.

‘Pau offers the most beautiful view of the land in the world, just as Naples offers the most beautiful view of the sea.’ Alphonse de Lamartine.

A view of the mountains An even more beautiful view

For a long time, the people of Pau were wary of this opening onto the daunting world of the mountains: the town took refuge behind the walls of its ramparts, and only the castle kept watch over and made the most of this landscape. But in the 18th and 19th centuries, Pyreneism broke down those walls and broadened our horizons! As a sporting and cultural movement, it inspired the Romantics and fuelled the development of spa and climate tourism, of which Pau is a prime example. The mild climate and the blue of the ‘beth ceù de Pau’ (the beautiful sky of Pau), the quality of the environment, its rich history, the proximity of the mountains and the Boulevard des Pyrénées are the elements that shape the landscape and cement the reputation of the capital of Béarn.

‘Four o’clock in the morning. — An open-top carriage. — Mists. — Vast plains. — The sun in one’s eyes. — A wisp of vapour marks the Gave de Pau to the right. — Around midday, the Pyrenees were visible only as a few white streaks on the horizon, as if the blue robe of the sky, frayed in places, were revealing its silver weave.”Victor Hugo 1843 – Travels II – From Bayonne to Pau

View from the castle gardens

Legacy

Pau’s landscape is characterised by its Art Deco heritage. Keep an eye out for the villas and manor houses that dot the landscape and are nestled amongst the greenery.

The hillsides

The vineyards of Jurançon have shaped the landscape. On the hillsides, you’ll see their neatly arranged rows, which lend a striking visual quality and promise a bountiful harvest! Whether red or green, they reflect the rhythm of the seasons.

Walks and hikes

Take in all the most stunning views… Put on your best walking shoes and pop intothe Tourist Office: we promise you’ll come away with some brilliant photos to show off when you get back!

Parks and gardens

Pau and its landscape are all about nature! The palm grove, the sequoias and the cedars in our parks and gardens provide a stunning backdrop to the Pau skyline. Please remember to treat it with respect!

The Belle Époque legacy

The popularity of the Pyrenees amongst sports enthusiasts, fuelled by health tourism, is transforming the landscape. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Pau was a popular tourist destination: the English, the Spanish, but also Americans, Russians… The elite and the cream of society from across the globe – from the worlds of literature, industry and aviation – flocked to the Boulevard des Pyrénées. It was a race to see who would have the most beautiful holiday villa, whether in Pau itself or on the surrounding hillsides.

The landscape is dotted with a golf course, a funicular railway, Art Deco and Neo-Rococo villas, palm trees and rare species of trees. Between the medieval era and the Belle Époque, Pau reshaped its skyline.