Hôtel Bristol Pau : Discovering the Boulevard des Pyrénées
The Bristol Pau Hotel takes you on a tour of the must-see places to visit during your stay.
The Pyrenees are a real jewel in the crown of south-western France and can be seen from Pau all year round. Snow-covered in winter, green in summer, the Boulevard des Pyrenees offers a panoramic view of the mountain range, leaving all visitors and walkers speechless. Discover the balcony of the city of Pau, a real technical feat of its time and a favourite place for walks by the people of Pau and tourists, where everyone can come and admire the magnificent panorama offered by nature in all seasons.
Getting to the Boulevard des Pyrénées from the hotel
The Hotel Bristol Pau is ideally located in the historic heart of the city of Pau, which became a favourite destination for the aristocracy in the 1870s. Just a 3-minute walk from the Fine Arts Museum, the hotel is also a 5-minute walk from the Boulevard des Pyrenees. However, in order to reach this mythical place without effort, you can also get there by taking the recently restored funicular railway, an emblem of Palais' heritage, used each year by more than 500,000 passengers. The funicular is free, environmentally friendly and accessible to bicycles and people with reduced mobility. With rotations every three minutes, you won't have to wait long to enjoy the view.
Activities on the Boulevard des Pyrénées
This must-see stop in Pau is a good mix for nature, history and culture lovers, but above all it is a friendly walk accessible to all. Stretching for almost 2 kilometres between the Château de Pau and the Parc Beaumont, a stroll along the Boulevard des Pyrénées is to enjoy the breathtaking views, take photos, rest on the 37 period benches and admire the architecture of the city. The walk along the boulevard takes approximately 1.5 hours, but it is likely that the numerous visits to be made along the way, such as the Hôtel de Gassion, the Church of Saint-Martin, the Pavillon des Arts and its Vigny fountain, will make the stroll last longer.
Just like reading the 52 metal plaques that will allow you to easily locate the mountains and villages of the region, the city of Pau has installed 17 QR codes all along the Boulevard des Pyrénées to give you a digital experience and enrich your discovery of the city. The digital experience doesn't stop there, for a few years now, an augmented reality application has allowed you to discover the emblematic sites of the Pyrenees mountain range for a total immersion.
Since 2012, spring has been synonymous with animation on the boulevard and has become even more lively. The "Boulevard en Promenade" operation initiated by the town allows tourists and locals to find permanent exhibitors (jewellers, craftsmen, painters, etc.) every Sunday in spring, with around twenty stalls ready to showcase the wealth of local crafts. Musical entertainment is also present every Sunday to bring more conviviality to the town centre and to keep the boulevard lively as soon as the fine weather arrives.