OK, where I live.
Pau is situated in the foothills of the Pyrénées between Toulouse and Biarritz in the heart of Beanais country. It is the principle town for Pyrénées Atlantique (departément 64) and the birthplace of Henri 4 of France, born in the chateau in a turtleshell cradle.
Pau is known as the English town thanks to the historical links it has dating back to the Napoleonic Wars, when British soldiers first "discovered" it. We have the oldest golf course on mainland continental Europe thanks to the Scots Guards I believe.
Thanks to the location Pau was home to the first ever flying school, set up by the Wright brothers. There is hardly ever any wind here so flying conditions are superb. The French Parachute Regiment have their training base down here.
We also have our own wine appelation, Jurançon, which uses the little known Manseng variety of grape, which thanks to the soil and climate produces a fantastic sweet and dry white wine. Perfect with the locally produced foie gras de canard. Perfect!
With the discovery of the huge Lacq gas field a few kilometers up the road in about 1960, Pau became the base for Schlumberger and Elf Aquitaine (later to become part of Total). The town grew in size thanks to the gas industry although the pollution was horrendous in the early years. Lacq is a sour gas field with a scary 15% H2S (H2S is deadly at 100ppm) so the flaring was creating a massive cloud of Sulphur Dioxide. Thankfully it has cleaned up although you can still smell the eggy smell as you drive past Lacq.
Today Pau is a bustling tourist town, thanks in part to Ryanair flying here from Stansted and its train and bus links to Lourdes, Biarritz and the mountains. It has hosted the Tour de France more than any other town in France after Paris due to the stunning climbs in the Pyrénées. Names like Col d'Aubesque and Col de Tourmalet should strike fear into any cyclists heart, some of the toughest climbs on la Tour. It's most well known attraction is the Boulevard des Pyrénées, this street has perhaps the best view in the world. One only has to stop and look to see the chain of the mountains stretching away in both directions. Stunning in winter with the snow on them. Makes the beer taste even better!
The two pictures are of the Pyrénées from my balcony (the reason we chhose the flat) and of San Sebastian in Spain (actually taken 1st Feb 2004). Is there any wonder we like it here??
Alex
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