Parlement de Navarre, Public building in central Pau, France.
The Parlement de Navarre is a three-story building with a central tower situated across from Pau Castle. Its layout and design follow classical French administrative principles, with multiple rooms dedicated to legislative sessions and government work.
King Louis XIII established this institution in 1620 following Béarn's attachment to the Kingdom of France. It replaced earlier local legislative bodies, marking the transition when the region came under French central authority.
The building shows how local administration kept its identity while adapting to French rule after the annexation. Visitors can see how regional traditions coexisted with new governmental structures in the design of the spaces.
The building sits in central Pau and is easy to reach when visiting the nearby castle. Since it remains in use for administrative purposes today, visitors should expect that not all areas are open to the public.
The building incorporates sections from the former Saint-Martin church, whose bell tower was integrated into the Parliament's central tower after 1722. This blend of religious and administrative architecture tells the story of how institutions were combined during that era.
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