Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Notre-Dame de Pau, located at the crossroads of the boulevard Alsace-Lorraine and the streets of Émile Garet and Jean-Jacques de Monaix, is an emblematic building of the city. Art Deco inspiration with neo-Roman influences, its construction spans several decades in the 20th century. It is distinguished by a 50-metre bell tower erected in 1936, and a spacious interior consisting of three large naves, with a ceiling height of up to 16 meters for the central nave. The work, begun in 1921 for the major work, was completed in 1929, while interior finishes and fittings, such as the organ of Maurice Puget (1932-1936), continued until the 1930s.

The parish of Notre-Dame was founded on August 15, 1913 by Bishop Gieure, Bishop of Bayonne, Lescar and Oloron, in tribute to Notre-Dame de Lourdes. The parish priest Raymond Campo, the central figure of this project, sees his portrait immortalized in mosaic on the facade of the rectory. The organ, a major part of the church's heritage, underwent several changes, notably by Pesce factors in the 1970s, before being completely rebuilt between 1979 and 1981. Inaugurated by the organist Jean Guillou in 1981, it symbolizes the cultural vitality of the place. A complete renovation of the building began in 1982, preserving its hybrid character and decorative elements, such as the recently restored stained glass windows and courtyard.

The church Notre-Dame embodies an architectural synthesis between Art Deco modernity and neo-Roman tradition, reflecting the artistic and religious evolutions of the twentieth century. His bell tower, visible from afar, makes it a major urban landmark, while his history, marked by figures such as Bishop Gieure or Raymond Campo, bears witness to his anchoring in the spiritual and community life of Pau. The successive restoration campaigns, especially those of the 1980s, highlight the local attachment to this heritage, where faith, art and collective memory are mixed.

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