Ongoing exhibition "Pau, land of aviation"

Pau is very proud of its aeronautic history.

After having been one of the leading towns in the development of the aerostation, thanks in particular to the involvement of James Gordon Bennett and Gaston & Albert Tissandier, Pau was the host to the famous Wright brothers, Wilbur and Orville Wright in January 1909, when they came to open the first airplane flying school in the world on the Pont Long moorland.

They were imitated by Louis Blériot, and the companies Voisin, Antoinette, Derperdussin, Morane Saulnier and Nieuport.

In 1910, they had their own flying school in Pau and were the only airplane builders in the world.

In 1912, the French army established the first military aviation school in Pau.

The military centre of Pau was transformed into an acrobat training school in 1914, and then into a fighter aircraft flying school.

It trained more than 6,000 pilots including the following famous people Guynemer, Roland Garros, Védrines, along with American voluntary pilots from the Lafayette flight.

This glorious past is now available for the general public to see in this ongoing exhibition at the Beaumont Palace.

When to visit: Every day from 9.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. Entrance fees: Free of charge Guided tours available for groups Contact details: Mr Paul Mirat Tel. no.: 00 33 (0)5 59 27 85 80 Mobile no.: 00 33 (0)6 75 29 47 33 E-mail: paulmirat@yahoo.fr Website: www.pauwright.free.fr
How to get there: Situated in the town centre of Pau, a stone's throw from the Tourist Information Office and Conference Centre and from the Town Hall, in the heart of the Beaumont Park CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MAP