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An Anglo French team led by Chris Bray and Olivier Michel are trying to return the old Jeu de Paume in Pau back
to its original use.
Pau is a beautiful town set in the foothills of the Pyrenees, in the south west of France, with a long history
of Jeu de Paume. It is here at the chateau that Henry IV of France, was introduced to and developed his passion
for the game.
The court was built in 1887 by the town council in an era when much of the English gentry came to Pau for the
winter season, and in true colonial style brought their culture and sports with them, and much of that
character still remains.
Today the court continues to be owned by the town, but is used for trinquet, which is a form of pelote basque
that was created in the mid 19c in the many then disused real tennis courts in the region. As a result both
games have many similarities, so it would not be too difficult to revert the building to tennis, and the
existing court lighting is the best that I have seen anywhere, with the exception of the Buroughs..
So far we have found much enthusiastic support from various individuals in both the Town Hall and the existing
trinquet players at the court.
It is now our intention to obtain a much wider support so that we can present a strong case to the Mayor,
demonstrating that a Real Tennis court would be both viable and also a great asset to the town. This would not
only be of benefit to the residents, but also an irresistible attraction for visitors from the international
Real Tennis community.
We want to demonstrate how passionate real tennis players are about their sport, the vitality in the game,
especially in England. This is the ‘ville anglais’ after all.
We also want to attract the attention of the pelote players, and who knows there maybe the next Pierre
Etchebaster out there just waiting for a chance to discover his or her skills on a tennis court.
It is important that we also inform the general public about this almost forgotten national game of France.
In order to further our cause we have organised a weekend of Real Tennis in Pau, which we hope will be the
catalyst to unstoppable wave of tennis enthusiasm in Pau and create the environment where we can secure a
future for Real Tennis in Pau.
If you are able to come and join us on the weekend of the 17/18 September, your support would be greatly
appreciated. And don’t forget that there is much more to Pau than just Real Tennis.
Why not bring your bicycle and follow in the tire tracks of the Tour de France (and Stephan King), and cycle up
the many mountain cols of the Pyrenees, or bring your walking boots and trek amongst the 3000m peaks on the
frontier ridge.
Sounds too hard? Then buy a chistera and try your hand at one of the many forms of Pelote Basque or bring tour
golf clubs and play at the oldest club on the continent, which is right in the centre of Pau.
Still too much for a holiday? Then visit the Atlantic beaches at Biarritz or St Jean de Luz which are just an
hour away, and while you are there drop in on the 17 century real tennis court in Bayonne, or see the future of
real tennis by visiting the Trinquet Moderne with its 3 complete glass walls and seating for hundreds of
spectators.
But if you just come and relax in Pau then this is the weekend of the Patrimone. All the state buildings,
museums and galleries will be open to the public for free, and there will be many other events too, including
concerts and displays at the Chateau.
There are many hotels to choose from, but why not treat yourself to and stay at the new 4* hotel adjacent to
the court, the hotel Parc Beaumont, which has rooms with views to the Pyrenees.
There are daily flights from London to Pau, and many more to Toulouse which is only 1 ½ hours up the motorway.
Or take the Euro Tunnel and TGV right to the centre of Pau.
Oh, bye the way, the weather is pretty good too.
If you would like more information please contact us at mailto:PauRealTennis@Lycos.co.uk
Or get in touch with one of us through your club professional
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