Musée national et domaine du château de Pau

Over het museum

The Château de Pau stands on a rocky spur above the Gave. An early fortification probably existed before the 12th century. Between 1343 and 1391, Gaston Fébus, Viscount of Béarn, transformed it into a brick fortress with a large keep.

In the 16th century, the château became a royal residence of the kings of Navarre. Henri II d’Albret and Marguerite d’Angoulême had a staircase and a Renaissance-style courtyard built here. Henri IV was born here on December 13, 1553. During the Revolution, the building housed troops.

From 1838 under Louis-Philippe and later under Napoleon III, a major restoration campaign recreated Renaissance-style interiors. The château then served as a national residence for official visits.

It became a national museum in 1929, initially devoted to Henri IV. The collections bring together about 12,000 works and objects: July Monarchy décors, 19th-century palace furniture, works related to Henri IV and, above all, a series of 17th- and 18th-century tapestries, most of them from the Gobelins manufactory.

Hoogtepunten

• Birthplace of Henri IV, with its medieval keep
• Series of 17th- and 18th-century tapestries, most from the Gobelins
• Apartments restored in the 19th century in Renaissance style
• Park and gardens, free and open access
• Paintings and sculptures on the life and legend of Henri IV

Vaste collectie

• Collections permanentes et appartements du château – Guided tour of the rooms restored in the 19th century, with furniture, décor and works related to Henri IV.
• Tapisseries – A set of 17th- and 18th-century tapestries, most woven at the Gobelins manufactory.
• Parc et jardins du domaine national – Park with a trail of remarkable trees, free and open to all.

Opgericht

1929

Beheerder

Ministère de la Culture (musée national)

Bezoekers per jaar

ca. 156.910

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

Gratis toegang: First Sunday of each month

The price includes the guided visit. Access to the park and gardens is free all year round. Free admission upon proof for visitors under 26 residing in the EU, job seekers, recipients of social benefits, teachers, ICOM members and members of the Société des Amis du Château de Pau, among others. Payment by card, Chèques-Vacances or cash.

Toegankelijkheid

• Deels rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift: geen informatie
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats: geen informatie
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

Only the ground-floor rooms are accessible to people with reduced mobility; the upper floors are reached by stairs. Wheelchairs and folding seats are lent free of charge at reception. An adapted visit can be arranged by phone through the visitor services department (service des publics).

Kinderen & gezin

Front-carrier baby slings and a bottle warmer are lent at reception against an ID. Folding strollers must be left at the baggage storage.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

The station is about a 10-minute walk away. By car, take the Pau-Centre exit from the A64 or A65, then follow signs for Gare and Château. Coaches drop groups at the foot of the château.

Service & horeca

• Museumwinkel
• Garderobe
• Kluisjes

Bookshop of the Grand Palais RMN network, open during museum hours without a ticket. Bag storage for bags up to 44 x 44 x 44 cm (€1 coin or token at reception). Large bags and suitcases are not allowed.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

• Ruimtes te huur
• Privéfeesten
• Zakelijke evenementen

Tot 500 personen.

Salle des Cent Couverts (140 seated guests), neighboring rooms, the courtyard of honor (up to 500 people), a 90-seat lecture hall, and the Maison Baylaucq. Evening rentals are available for most spaces, under a sponsorship arrangement. Requests must be made at least two months in advance.

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