Boulevard des Pyrénées The Pyrenees on the horizon

The Boulevard des Pyrénées, with its 180° panoramic view of the Pyrenees, is Pau’s landmark! Just sitting on a bench and contemplating the horizon is worth a break in Pau. The wow effect is guaranteed. A symbol of Pau, the Boulevard des Pyrénées is a panoramic promenade overlooking the Pyrenees mountain range. Whether for coffee, ice cream, lunch or a glass of Jurançon, there’s always a good reason to stop by!

Getting there

A panoramic walk

The Boulevard des Pyrénées is an essential part of Palais’ identity. A 1.9 km walk takes you from the chateau to the Parc Beaumont, between the Middle Ages and the Belle Epoque. An essential thoroughfare, it’s both the place to be and the place to see!

At any time of day or night, you’ll find yourself passing by again and again… A jog in the morning, a coffee on the terrace, lunch at midday, a sweet and a tea for a snack or a nightcap in the evening. Young and old, Palois or tourists, on a terrace, on a bench, leaning against the railing, their gaze drifts towards the horizon. More than just a stroll, it’s a place to live!

Discover

The postcard

The view is spellbinding: in the foreground, the hillsides, between vineyards and forests of changing colors, and in the background, against the blue sky of Pau, the iconic Pic d’Ossau, whose tooth overlooks the Pyrenees chain!

Crowned in snow, barely outlined in mist, blazing in the setting sun, the mountain is omnipresent, a veritable postcard that changes with the hours and the seasons!

“Pau is the most beautiful land view in the world, just as Naples is the most beautiful sea view.
Lamartine

Technical prowess

In the 19th century, the idea of a promenade opening onto the Pyrenean landscape was born, as vacationing and Pyreneanism developed. The Boulevard du Midi (1854 – 1871) was born, linking the Château to Place Royale. It was a place of elegance and worldliness. Twenty years later, Alphonse Alphand, an engineer close to Haussmann, proposed to extend the idea:

“Pau lacks Nice’s Promenade des Anglais”.

Within two years, the project became a reality: a platform was built on the plateau overlooking the river Gave, extended by a viaduct supported by 49 piers. The boulevard du Midi became the boulevard des Pyrénées, giving Pau its unique landscape quality.

Horizons palois

In 1944, a specific classification was created to preserve the most beautiful views of the landscape, the Horizons palois.

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Coteaux

The hillsides and their vines enliven the landscape with changing colors… Discover Jurançon, more than a wine, a land!

Walks and hikes

If you want to continue the walk, you can choose between the château park on the right and the Beaumont park on the left!

A place to live and meet people

In 1900, it was the place to be. Luxury hotels, villas and beautiful people – everything was there to make it the place to be! It was the height of the Belle Epoque spirit: Pau was cosmopolitan, with European aristocracy, American tycoons and writers from Francis Scott Fitzerald to Colette passing through. It was also the capital of aviation.

But when war came, all that remained was the boulevard des Pyrénées and the intangible sight of snow-capped peaks on the horizon. And yet, even today, they are Pau’s claim to fame, a surprise effect that takes all new arrivals to the heart. The Boulevard des Pyrénées and its exceptional panorama never ceases to delight the people of Pau and our visitors!

The funicular Timeless and improbable

And because the boulevard runs along the upper town and the train station is at the bottom along the Gave, travelers had to be brought easily to their hotels and residences! So the town built a funicular railway, which is now part of the landscape. Sustainable, free and so chic!