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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The castle of Pau, located in the town of the same name in New Aquitaine, finds its origins in the 12th century as a fortified post controlling a strategic ford over the gave. Founded by the Viscounts of Béarn, it becomes a symbol of their power, with towers like Mazères and Billère dating back to this period. Its military and political role is affirmed under Gaston III of Foix-Béarn, known as Fébus, which transforms it into an imposing fortress at the end of the 14th century, adding in particular the 33-metre dungeon in bricks and strengthening the enclosures.

In the 15th century, Gaston IV de Foix-Béarn made it the main residence of the Viscounts, mitigating its defensive appearance to make it a more comfortable palace, with slate roofs and elegant windows. The castle reached its peak in the 16th century under the kings of Navarre, including Henri d'Albret and Marguerite d'Angoulême, who introduced the Renaissance style. It is here that Henry IV was born in 1553, in a room on the first floor, deeply marking the history of the place. The large and sumptuous gardens then spread over hectares, reflecting the splendor of the courtyard.

The castle declined after 1620, when Louis XIII linked the Béarn to France and political authorities left the place. In the 19th century, a renewed interest in Henry IV led Louis-Philippe and then Napoleon III to restore him deeply, adding neo-Renaissance and neo-Gothic elements. Since 1927, it has been home to the National Museum of Pau Castle, dedicated to the memory of Henry IV, attracting about 100,000 visitors annually. The collections include Gobelin tapestries, King-related objects, and preserved architectural elements, such as the turtle shell that served as a cradle.

The estate, once immense, has been reduced to 22 hectares, but retains remarkable gardens, historical outbuildings such as Baylaucq House, and defensive elements such as the Mint Tower. Ranked as a historic monument since 1840, the castle today embodies both an exceptional architectural heritage and a national memory, celebrating the heritage of the sovereigns of Navarre and France.

Among the notable events are the birth and baptism of Henry IV in 1553, the arrival of Louis XIII in 1620 for the connection of the Béarn to France, and the stay of personalities such as the Emir Abd El-Kader in 1848. The successive transformations, from medieval fortifications to imperial restorations, reflect its evolution from a strong place to a royal symbol, to an emblematic museum.

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