City in France on and. The most beautiful cities in France

April 26th, 2014 , 12:51 pm

I learned about the town of Po at school, when contour map France instead of minerals decided to pave the route of the Tour de France. In general, in geography I had a "troika" for a long time. I forgot about minerals for a long time, but for some reason the Tarbes-Po section remained in my memory for centuries ...

Tran Street (Rue Tran)

The settlement here was formed approximately in the second half of the 11th - early 12th centuries, and since 1464 the city became the capital historical area Bearn.


Fontaine Street (Rue de la Fontaine)

Now Pau is the second economic center of Aquitaine after Bordeaux. About 80 thousand people live here.


Tran Street (Rue Tran)

In one of the courtyards, a woman was found grabbing a deer by the antlers. This is the goddess of hunting - Diana. Exactly the same sculpture is in the Louvre.


Diana

The city is quite often visited by Swedish tourists. The fact is that the house in which the Napoleonic general Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte (1763-1844) was born, who later became the king of Sweden under the name Karl XIV Johan, has been preserved here. Bernadotte could not even think of such a twist of fate, because. was an ardent revolutionary and wore a tattoo "Death to kings!".


Bernadotte Museum (Musée Bernadotte)

Our guide Marina Zaitseva during the trip showed quite good knowledge of the cities of France, but in Pau, in fact, in addition to the castle, she could only show Bernadotte's house. And as soon as we walked some 50 meters from the museum along the same street, we would see the beautiful neo-Gothic church of Saint-Jacques.


Place Gramont

Po is the only one European city, where the two founders of royal dynasties were born, ruling in three states to this day - Henry IV (Bourbons) and Charles XIV Johan (Bernadots).


Henry IV

Henry IV of Navarre (1553-1610) was born in Pau, in the castle of his maternal grandfather Heinrich d'Albret.


Pau Castle (Chateau de Pau

The main contribution to the construction of the castle was made by Gaston III de Foix ( 1331-91) - the ruler of local lands during the Hundred Years War. His court was widely known for its luxury. Gaston himself had a very good artistic and literary taste. Being a passionate hunter, Gaston wrote a book that was considered one of the best medieval treatises on hunting.


Gaston III de Foix ( Gaston III Febus)

After that, the castle was rebuilt many times. The main entrance with three arches in the Renaissance style was built in 1859-64.


Pau Castle (Chateau de Pau

Now the castle has been turned into a museum. The cradle of Henry IV from a tortoise shell has been preserved.


Pau Castle (Chateau de Pau

In the XVI century. the Albre family created a magnificent garden around the chateau.


Garden

There is even a fish pond here.


Pond

Then the group went to the castle itself (the entrance costs 7 euros), but we had 1.5-2 hours to see the city. If I have any doubts about the castle of Angers with "Apocalypse", then here we definitely made the right decision.


Pau Castle (Chateau de Pau

Opposite the castle is the building of the former parliament of Navarre, built in 1585. Part of the complex is the tower - this is the remnant of the church of St. Martin, which was destroyed in 1884.


Parliament of Navarre

The Pau city hall is located in the building of the former Saint-Louis theater (1862).


city ​​hall

Instead of the old church of the 15th century, a new one with a 77-meter spire was built nearby.


Church of St. Martin (Eglise Saint-Martin)

The first stone was laid in 1863 and the grand opening took place in 1871.


Church of St. Martin (Eglise Saint-Martin)

The neo-gothic style was complemented by Byzantine motifs.


Church of St. Martin (Eglise Saint-Martin)

Some precious items were donated by the Spanish Queen Isabella II during her visit to Pau in 1868.


Church of St. Martin (Eglise Saint-Martin)

Looking at the sign "Pizza Napoli" one recalls the words of the French writer Lamartine: "Like in Naples the most beautiful sea ​​views so in Pau the most beautiful landscape on earth."


Rue Gassion

He said these words about the panorama that opens from Pereneev Boulevard. Now the railway station is located below.


Railway station

The 1800-meter Pyrenees Boulevard was built in 1893-99. following the example of the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, so that visiting aristocratic resort guests could "look at others and show themselves."


Boulevard des Pyrénées

From the boulevard to the lower city, surrounded by palm trees, picturesque paths called Royal paths descend.


I already mentioned the Tour de France. Every year the route of the cycling race changes, but she passed through the Pau as many as 62 times (only Paris and Bordeaux visited more). Pau is the "gateway" to the Pyrenees, one of the most prestigious cycling peaks - the Tourmalet Pass - is located nearby. And on the highway between Tarbes and Pau, a huge monument to the Tour de France was erected.


Royal Paths (Sentiers du Roy)

Part of the streets were fenced with safety rails. The thing is that 5 days before our arrival, the “Grand Prix Po” races were held here, which, like in Monaco, take place right along the streets of the city (since 1933). Now not the highest series compete here, but once the Formula 1 stages were also held (albeit outside the championship calendar).


Avenue Napoleon Bonaparte

The Pau Grand Prix has been won by such legendary racers as Nuvolari, Fangio, Ascari, Clarke, Rindt, Stewart, Montoya, Hamilton...


Turn

Lyokha, as in Monte Carlo, repeated his trick - he jumped out onto the roadway to take a picture in the first position. Thus, he got his next pole position.


Avenue Gaston Lacoste

The local basketball team "Pau-Orthez" is one of the three most titled in France. All 9 championships have been won in the last three decades.


Restaurant "Dauphin" (Le Dauphin)

The city stands on the Gave de Po River, which has several tributaries, including the Us.


River Us (Ruisseau de l "Ousse)

Palais Beaumont in the style " belle epoch" with two unusual bell towers was built in 1900. In 1927, a casino settled here, and during the war - a hospital. Now it is a conference center and a casino.


Beaumont Palace (Palais Beaumont)

The central square of the city is Place Clemenceau, which has recently been reconstructed.


Place Clemenceau (Place Clemenceau)

In Po, the temperature exceeded +30. Perhaps it was our hottest city of the tour. Well, in the afternoon we went to Lourdes ...

10

10th place - Lille

  • Population: 231 491
  • Region: Nord-Pas-de-Calais
  • Square: 34.83 km2

Lille is the capital of the historical region of French Flanders, the center of the northern region of Nord-Pas-de-Calais, a city with a Flemish accent near the border with Belgium. For centuries, the reason for the existence of Lille was textile production, which fell into a noticeable decline with the advent of synthetic fabrics on the market. However, the steel northern character of the city did not give up under the onslaught of new times (it was not for nothing that the iron general de Gaulle was born here): today Lille is one of cultural capitals France, an important commercial and trade hub, the center of French students and simply an amazingly beautiful and majestic city, moreover, it is unanimously recognized as the most welcoming to visitors.

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9th place - Bordeaux

  • Population: 243 626
  • Region: Aquitaine
  • Square: 68 km 2

Bordeaux is the capital of the Gironde department and the entire region of Aquitaine, "little Paris", "Sleeping Beauty" and "port of the Moon" at the same time, according to the romantic epithets of the French. Bordeaux is famous for its long and rich history with an English bias, and as a result - a variety of attractions, beautiful botanical gardens, a cozy atmosphere of universal equality and, of course, a "cheerful component" - the famous Bordeaux wines, recognized as one of the best in the world.

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8th place - Montpellier

  • Population: 272 084
  • Region: Languedoc - Roussillon - South - Pyrenees
  • Square: 56.88 km2

Montpellier is one of the largest settlements in the south of France, the eighth largest in the whole country, administrative center the Languedoc-Roussillon region and the Herault department. The city is known for its cultural life and annually hosts many festivals (only nationwide - six). However, its main decoration is considered to be a compact and architecturally homogeneous Old city, full of medieval charm and eternally seething nightlife, in addition - almost completely closed to transport.

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7th place - Strasbourg

  • Population: 275 718
  • Region: Grand Est
  • Square: 78.26 km2

C Trasbourg is a city in eastern France, the capital of Alsace, a region that borders Germany. Strasbourg was founded by the Romans, who set up a military camp here during the German campaign in 14-16. Argentorat was the name of the settlement at that time. Strasbourg today is a real international fusion: here you can easily hear German speech and refresh yourself with beer with pretzels in a seemingly canonical French brasserie. Even the name of the city itself sounds quite German, and if you are not savvy in geography, Strasbourg can be easily attributed to a series of other German “burgs”.

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6th place - Nantes

  • Population: 292 718
  • Region: Lands of the Loire
  • Square: 65.19 km2

Nant is one of the most major cities France. Nantes is the capital of the Loire-Atlantique department and the Pays of the Loire region. The city is located at the mouth of the Loire, long river in the country, near the place of its confluence with Atlantic Ocean. Nantes was the birthplace of such famous French writers as the writer Jules Verne and the comedian Louis de Funes. The city has preserved several outstanding architectural monuments, and in 2013 Nantes was named the green capital of Europe.

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5th place - Nice

  • Population: 342 295
  • Region:
  • Square: 71.92 km2

Hizza is a Mediterranean city and port in the south of France, one of the main resorts of the Côte d'Azur (or the French Riviera). Today Nice is the fifth largest city in France. It has its own airport, the passenger flow of which is in second place after Paris. Mild climate (Mediterranean with moderately warm winters and dry, warm and sunny summers), as well as the fact that Nice is easy to get to, as well as a reputation favorite place rest of the aristocracy of past centuries, make this city one of the leading resorts in the world.

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4th place - Toulouse

  • Population: 458 298
  • Region: Midi-Pyrenees
  • Square: 118.3 km2

Tulhouse is the fourth most populous city in France and the largest cultural, scientific and industrial centre. At the same time, Toulouse with her beautiful historical center is one of the brightest and most distinctive cities in the country. Spanish, Basque, Aquitaine, Languedoc, Provencal and French traditions are mixed here in equal proportions. Over the past 20 years, Toulouse has become the main center of aviation and space flight in France. More than 35 thousand local residents(out of 400,000) work in the space industry, and Airbus is considered the largest employer in the entire region.

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3rd place - Lyon

  • Population: 500 715
  • Region: Auvergne - Rhone - Alps
  • Square: 47.87 km2

Lion is one of the largest and beautiful cities France. His ancient history and magnificent monuments of culture and architecture, as well as the proximity of the Alps, attracts a large number of tourists, both from Europe and from other places on our planet. In ancient times, Lyon was called Lugdun - Raven Mountain. The documented date for the founding of Lyon is 43 BC. e., and its founder is the Roman senator Lucius Plancus. He brought a Roman detachment into the Gaulish settlement of Lugdunum in order to expand it and create a Roman outpost in its place.

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2nd place - Marseille

  • Population: 855 393
  • Region: Provence - Alps - Cote d'Azur
  • Square: 240.62 km2

Marseille is the standard of the Mediterranean port city, as we used to imagine them from adventure books and films. Biggest Trading port country, a major industrial center and the second most populous city in France; one of the oldest cities in Europe, Marseille is the epicenter of overpowering scents, fresh breeze and romance.

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1st place - Paris

  • Population: 2 291 621
  • Region:Île de France
  • Square: 105.4 km2

Paris is the capital of France and the largest city in the country in terms of population. Located on the banks of the Seine River in the northern part of the country, in the Île-de-France region. Paris is the main economic and cultural center France, as well as an important political center of Europe. The headquarters of UNESCO and the International Chamber of Commerce are located here.

Paris grew up on the site of the settlement of Lutetia, founded by the Celtic tribe of the Parisians in the 3rd century BC. e. The settlement was located on the safe Island of the City, surrounded by the waters of the River Seine. At the beginning of the II century BC. e. Lutetia was surrounded by a fortress wall. The basis of the economy of the Celtic settlement was trade: the Seine connected the Mediterranean Sea with the British Isles.

10 most touristic cities in France

France is the most visited country in the world - this fact is known to many. But which cities in France attract the most tourists?

  1. In the first place, of course, the capital of France -

And it's natural. Paris is the most famous and most Big city France, the capital of the state. There are many things to see and visit in the city: , , Buttes Chaumont, Montmartre, , , etc. (Tour Eiffel, Louvre, Buttes Chaumont, Montmartre, Musée d'Orsay, Sacré-Cœur, Notre-Dame). Tourists dream of being photographed against the backdrop of the world-famous symbols of Paris.

  1. Lourdes and Lyon

- one of ancient cities France and former capital Roman Gaul. The city is rich in historical, cultural and architectural monuments: Opera, Roman theater Fourvière, Croix-Rousse quarter, Fourvière Basilica (l’ Opera, les Theaters Romains de Fourviere,le Quartier de la Croix-Rousse,la basilique de Fourviere).

As for Lourdes, numerous Catholics come to the city where it is located, where Bernadette Soubirous saw the Virgin Mary. In this place, diseases are cured.

  1. Toulouse

Toulouse - pink city- attracts tourists with its Cite d'Espace, the Saint-Sernin Basilica, the local history museum and the Capitol ( Cite de l'Espace, de la Basilique Saint-Sernin, Muséum d'Histoire naturelle,Capitole).

- capital. In the past (yes, probably still) favorite place recreation of aristocrats from all over Europe. The city has many objects of culture, art and history, and, most importantly, there is a sea and.

  1. La Rochelle

A charming town with an old sea fortress. Here is the largest aquarium in Europe. Architecture lovers will find many classical and renaissance buildings.


— Small town, located on the banks of the English Channel, is surrounded by the greenery of parks and offers boat trips.

  1. Carcassonne

The medieval city of Carcassonne is very interesting for lovers of history, fortresses and castles, as well as wine.

  1. Strasbourg

Strasbourg is the capital of the region. Museums, festivals, theatres, the opera house, and incomparable half-timbered houses attract crowds of tourists. And they are famous all over the world. They say they are the most beautiful in Europe.

On Mount Saint-Michel is the abbey of the same name: great views, medieval architecture. it's the same .

French city Pau (region of Aquitaine)

The French city of Pau is locality and a commune located in southwestern France, the capital of the Pyrenees-Atlantiques department of the Aquitaine region.

Having arisen in the form of a modest village at the crossroads of Gave-de-Pau (Gave - “valley”), where people flocked to the mountains and from the mountains, Pau (Pau) in 1464 turned into the capital of the ancient Viscountcy of Bearn, and in 1512 - the French part of the kingdom of Navarre.

In 1567, his monarch Henry d'Albret married the sister of the King of France, Marguerite of Navarre, a friend and patroness of artists and intellectuals, who herself became the author of the famous collection of short stories "Heptameron" written in imitation of G. Boccaccio. She made the city a center for the arts and independent thinking.

Their daughter was Jeanne d'Albret, an ardent Protestant whose religious zeal offended her own subjects, and in addition brought the wrath of the Catholic King of France, Charles X, because of which Béarn was drawn into the Wars of Religion. In order to stop them (if only for a while), they had to wait for the ascent to the French throne in 1589 of Jeanne's son Henry IV.

As a skilled politician, he renounced his faith to facilitate this transition, wittily remarking that " Paris worth a mass" and then assuaged the regional pride of his Béarnian subjects by declaring that he was giving France to Béarn, not Béarn to France. He did not include Béarn in the French state; this was done after his death by his son and heir Louis XIII in 1620. As the most famous of Poe's sons, Henry earned himself a correspondingly colorful reputation.

He was baptized in the traditional Béarnian way, using local Juraneon wine - and the baby's lips were anointed with garlic. As an adult, he earned the nickname "old red tape" for his love affairs. He also gave France one of her most famous culinary recipes - chicken stuffed and boiled with vegetables (poule au pot): according to rumors, he once said that he wanted everyone in his domain to be rich enough to afford such boiled chicken, at least once a week.

What you least expect to find in Pau is his connection with the British, which arose with the arrival of Wellington and his troops in the city after the defeat of Marshal Soule at Orthez in 1814. Enticed by the local climate and healing properties of these places, at the instigation of the Scottish physician Alexander Taylor, the English flocked to Pau throughout the 19th century, bringing with them their cultural passions: fox hunting, horse racing, polo, croquet, cricket, golf (in 1860, the first 18-hole course in continental Europe appeared here; it is also the first in the world where women were admitted), cafes and pastry shops and parks.

When the railway was built here in 1866, the French also reached out to Pau: artists and writers like Victor Hugo, Stendhal and Lamartine, as well as representatives of secular society. The first rugby club in France opened here in 1902, after which the sport spread throughout the southwest. In the 1950s, a natural gas field was discovered in nearby Lak, providing new jobs and ancillary industries – as well as a powerful source of sulfur dioxide pollution: emissions are now reduced by filtration, but still significant.

In addition to the above, in 1972 the respected university: Thanks to its approximately 8 thousand students, the lively city is always full of young people. The French town of Pau (Aquitaine region) is located close to many small picturesque villages in the north-western Bearn (Bearn), as is the hiking route GR-65 - a 60-kilometer trail leads to the border with Spain.

Arrival, information about the city and accommodation in Pau

Pau airport, north of the city, is small compared to its neighbors in Tarbes-Lourdes and Biarritz, so do not count on international flights - only a few flights go to Paris. The city is located on the Pyrenean highway (autoroute Pyreneene) A-64 and on the main railway from east to west, stopping at Bayonne and Biarritz in the west and Lourdes, Tarbes and Toulouse in the east, as well as in Bordeaux and in Paris.

The train station is south of the centre, by the river: SNCF buses leave from here, and private buses from various outlying terminals from Gachet Street near Place Clemenceau. Buses run south to the Osso Valley (Vallee d`Ossau) and Oloron-Saint-Marie (Oloron-Ste-Marie), stopping by the Aspa Valley on the way.

The free funicular will take you from railway station on boulevard of the Pyrenees(boulevard des Pyrenees), opposite Royal Square(place Royale), at the far end of which is a travel agency. For information about hikes and climbing expeditions, try to get in the local CAF (Club of Alpinists of France; Club Alpin Francais; 5 rue Rene Fournets) or in the Pyrenean Library (Librairie des Pyrenees: 14 rue St-Louis), where there are many different books about the mountains. In the center is the Internet cafe CyberSeventys (7 rue Gambetta).

If you are looking for a welcoming, clean, quiet and inexpensive hotel, check out the Hotel le Matisse (17 rue Mathieu-Lalanne, opposite the Museum fine arts). Close to the center is the Hotel Central (15 rue Leon-Daran). Comfortable two-star ensuite rooms are offered by Postillon (10 Cours Camou, behind place Verdun), built around a patio.

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