The Accompanying Persons Program includes lunch with attendees and three afternoons of activities described below.
Monday - September 1, 2008
Time: 14:30 - 18:30 / Departure from Tourism office Pau
History of Pau and visit of Pau castle
During a guided walking tour lasting 2 hours in the heart of the town centre, visitors will discover the city through its history and rich heritage. They will also learn about its unusual "royal court" through anecdotes, legends and mysteries ... Then guest will visit Pau Castle. This castle was the birthplace of Henry IV. It perpetuates the homage and legend of "Good King Henry". Restored in the 19th century, and classified as a national museum, it provides 1,000 years of history and offers visitors with a luxuriously furnished and decorated castle, together with an impressive collection of Gobelin tapestries from the 16th to the 19th century.
Tuesday - September 2, 2008
Time: 13:30 - 19:00 / Departure from Pau university - Science hall
Visit of Biarritz (share with attendees)
The city of Biarritz is located roughly 100 km west of Pau and is easily accessible by highway. It is a large town of the "Côte Basque" near the Spanish border and is one of the most famous seaside resort in France. It came to fame in the mid 19th Century, when Empress Eugenie (the wife of Napoleon III) fell in love with this part of the Basque country and built a Palace on the beach at Biarritz (now called Hotel du Palais) where she invited foreign royalty to stay. The Russian nobility built their own magnificent Orthodox Church next to the Palace. The principle Architecture in Biarritz was not typically Basque, but rather a blend of 19th century city residences, large and expansive, made of local stone bricks.
With its large beaches and powerful waves, Biarritz welcomed Europe's first surfers to its beaches 45 years ago and nowadays it is still a famous spot to go surfing in Europe.
Wednesday - September 3, 2008
Time: 13:30 - 19:00 / Departure from Pau university - Science hall
Visit of Lourdes
Lourdes is one of the main Catholic sanctuaries in the world. This city is located about 40 km east of Pau. Lourdes was just a small market town at the foot of the Pyrénées in 1858 when a peasant girl (Bernadette Soubirous) had several Virgin Mary sightings. From a tiny village, the city has become the second most popular tourism city in all of France, attracting six million pilgrims annually from throughout the globe to the cave where Bernadette Soubirous had several sightings. Nowadays, the primary Lourdes attractions are the cave where the sightings occured and the Basilica of the Rosary built to watch over it. This Romanesque style cathedral is one of the largest in all the world.
In addition to the Accompanying Persons specific activities, spouses and other visitors are welcome at all ECTP 2008 social and dining events. In particular, spouses and guests are welcome at the wine testing during poster session 1.2 and the welcome reception.
