Béarn: Pau Design Week expands for its second edition

From November 12th to 15th, the Pavillon des Arts – on Boulevard des Pyrénées – will host a group exhibition featuring 26 artisans. Simultaneously, artworks and artists can be discovered in 22 locations throughout the city center (compared to 15 in 2024). Sculpture, textile art, cabinetmaking, jewelry, straw marquetry, and more: a rich array of skills awaits the public in a variety of venues. "The idea is to multiply the exhibitions and installations in everyday spaces, in clothing stores, at Café Aquiu, and so on," explains Julie Comte-Gabillou. "To transform downtown Pau into an open-air gallery." As an added bonus, the artists will be available to visitors to present their work.

Friday evening

The 2025 edition promises some amazing moments, such as at the Corps et Art institute on Rue de Liège, which offers Pilates classes: "They've transformed the space into an exhibition hall and are organizing a body workshop in collaboration with the artist and dyer Joël Dagès," the president proudly announces. Entitled "Art Immersion," the event invites participants to "reconnect with wonder through the senses" this Wednesday, November 12, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Furthermore, two highlights stand out for Pau Design Week 2025: the opening of the group exhibition at the Pavillon des Arts on Thursday at 7 p.m. (free admission), and a late-night opening on Friday at all venues until 9 p.m. "Each location is also holding its own opening event simultaneously," explains Julie Comte-Gabillou. "Visitors can therefore move from venue to venue for a festive and artistic experience."

Another original initiative aimed at integrating craftsmanship into everyday life, the Hotel Bristol, on rue Gambetta, plans to serve its customers on black ceramic plates created by Chris van Eeden and Océane Conilh de Beyssac.

“Opening doors”

Several institutions are also participating, such as the Tourist Office on Place Royale, and, for the first time, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Rue Louis Barthou—two locations where Dominique Luccioni's (LD Design) sculptures can be admired. "I would really like other institutional venues to participate," hopes the president of Arts et Matières, whose thirty or so volunteer members intend to broaden the range of offerings. "So that art can spread to unusual places, which allows us to multiply perspectives, open doors, and meet very different audiences."