This is the Chateau d’Henri IV. Henri “Le Béarnais” was born and raised here in Pau, and even after he became king of France, he maintained a fondness for the region. Later, Napoléon III came back to this chateau and, remembering how much Henri VI loved it, he spent a lot of time and money renovating it. Now it is a national museum owned by the state - and it was free to visit it today, because this weekend is the Journées Européenes de Patrimoine, or “European Days of Patrimony.” Lots of museums and special sites in France are free to visit today, and some stuff that you can’t usually visit is open for just these two days. There are also lots of local fairs, music performances, and cultural exhibitions. It is really cool; they should do this in America! I was also proud of myself because a) I didn’t mess up the buses, which are different on Sunday; b) I spoke French the entire afternoon; and c) I got out of the house even though I am feeling sick and lazy! Haha. Sundays are usually SO dead, because NOTHING is open. There were tons of people at the chateau, but the rest of the town was completely empty. It was really weird and eerie, to be honest! But I’m glad I checked it out. Now I know what to expect on other Sundays to come. However, now that I’m home, I am feeling a bit more sick and cold. I am hoping with some water and hot tea, I will nurse myself back to health before the real week begins. I blame being soaking wet all weekend!! It’s all Spain’s fault. :] I hope everyone has a great week, and I miss you all!!

This is the Chateau d’Henri IV. Henri “Le Béarnais” was born and raised here in Pau, and even after he became king of France, he maintained a fondness for the region. Later, Napoléon III came back to this chateau and, remembering how much Henri VI loved it, he spent a lot of time and money renovating it. Now it is a national museum owned by the state - and it was free to visit it today, because this weekend is the Journées Européenes de Patrimoine, or “European Days of Patrimony.” Lots of museums and special sites in France are free to visit today, and some stuff that you can’t usually visit is open for just these two days. There are also lots of local fairs, music performances, and cultural exhibitions. It is really cool; they should do this in America!

I was also proud of myself because a) I didn’t mess up the buses, which are different on Sunday; b) I spoke French the entire afternoon; and c) I got out of the house even though I am feeling sick and lazy! Haha. Sundays are usually SO dead, because NOTHING is open. There were tons of people at the chateau, but the rest of the town was completely empty. It was really weird and eerie, to be honest! But I’m glad I checked it out. Now I know what to expect on other Sundays to come.

However, now that I’m home, I am feeling a bit more sick and cold. I am hoping with some water and hot tea, I will nurse myself back to health before the real week begins. I blame being soaking wet all weekend!! It’s all Spain’s fault. :]

I hope everyone has a great week, and I miss you all!!