Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation de Pau

About the museum

According to the programme of the Journées du patrimoine (Heritage Days), the museum has been displaying objects and documents on World War II since 1996. It is housed in the Villa Lawrance in Pau, in the heart of the Parc Lawrance, and was inaugurated at this location on March 10, 2007. The project grew out of the initiative of former resistance fighters, veterans and deportees. It displays many objects, posters and models from this period as it was lived in Béarn, donated by private individuals and gathered by the veterans.

The route occupies four rooms totaling about 250 m². They evoke the Bénou youth camp, the crossings of the Pyrenees, deportation (round-ups of Jews, camps, forced labor and the return of deportees) and the Resistance, with the Corps franc Pommiès, the arming of the maquisards, the Service du travail obligatoire (STO), the Milice and the Liberation. The visit ends with a reference to the massacre at Oradour-sur-Glane.

The museum relies on volunteers gathered in the Union des fondateurs du musée. It pays tribute to the victims of deportation and internment and passes this memory on to younger generations.

Highlights

• Four rooms on the Resistance and deportation in Béarn
• Bénou youth camp and crossings of the Pyrenees
• Corps franc Pommiès and local life during the war
• Objects, posters and models donated by private individuals
• Guided tours led by volunteers

Permanent exhibition

• Résistance et déportation en Béarn – Route through four rooms: the Bénou youth camp, crossings of the Pyrenees, deportation and the Resistance, with a reference to Oradour-sur-Glane.

Founded

1996

Operated by

Association MRD64 (Union des fondateurs du Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation des Pyrénées-Atlantiques)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Voluntary contribution for the visit.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The Journées du patrimoine listing indicates access for visitors with reduced mobility; the tourist office sheet specifies that the museum is accessible with strollers.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the town centre, a 10-minute walk from Place de Verdun or Place Clémenceau, in the Parc Lawrance, next to the newspaper “La République des Pyrénées”.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit