Pau

After Le Havre and Bordeaux, Pau became the third major provincial French city to embrace rugby football. The sport's presence in the city dates back to 1888, evidenced by the Coquelicots de Pau (Poppies of Pau), who played matches against neighboring teams such as the Montagnards de Bayonne (Mountaineers of Bayonne) and the Pyrénéenne de Tarbes.

Stade Palois was founded in 1899 by former students of the Lycée de Pau, reflecting the Anglophilia that was fashionable in Pau during the Belle Époque. Pau's appeal to British visitors and European aristocracy had been growing since the mid-19th century, largely due to Dr. Alexander Taylor. In 1842, he published On the Curative Influence of the Climate of Pau, and the Mineral Waters of the Pyrenees, on Disease, promoting the Bearnese capital as a health destination whose mild climate could alleviate "Winter Depression" and respiratory ailments. Initially aimed at English-speaking readers and later translated into several European languages, Taylor's work drew wealthy visitors to the city, including Mary Todd Lincoln. This influx of British and international visitors helped cultivate a culture receptive to rugby and other British sports, such as fox hunting and polo, helping turn Béarn and Gascony into a rugby union hotbed, while association football remained largely absent.

At the turn of the 20th century, Pau remained a fashionable resort town, attracting European nobility for winter stays. High society from England, America, Russia, Spain, and Prussia congregated in the city, which saw the construction of public amenities such as the Funiculaire de Pau, linking the railway station to the upper town. Wealthy visitors built villas initially concentrated in the town centre, later expanding outward to enjoy panoramic views of the Pyrenees. Between 1850 and 1910, numerous villas were constructed, many of which still evoke the splendour of the period. Pau also became an early centre for aviation. The first balloon flights took place in 1844, followed in 1909 by the establishment of a Wright brothers' training school for French pilots. By 1914, Pau hosted seven global aircraft manufacturers and had become a key hub for aviation. The military aviation school, which trained many of France's World War I flying aces, was established there, followed later by the national fighter pilot school. Notable aviators associated with Pau included French pilots Thénault, Bellenger, Garros, Nungesser, Guynemer, and Béarnais aviators Artigau and Mace, as well as American pilots such as Lufbery, Thaw, Chapman, Prince, and James Rogers McConnell.

The Section paloise de ligue girondine was founded on 3 April 1902 as a multi-sports club within the Ligue girondine, under the direct authority of Dr. Tissié. Its first president was Dr. Pellizza-Duboué, nephew of Béarnese scholar Pierre-Henri Duboué and father of Henri Pellizza and Pierre Pellizza.

From its inception, Section Paloise practised barrette, a speed-oriented variant of rugby football popular in the early 20th century, supported strongly by Dr. Tissié. Several future French internationals, including Jean Domercq [fr], Jacques Dufourcq [fr] and Hélier Thil [fr] made their debuts with the senior team.

From 1905, Section paloise de ligue girondine abandoned barette to compete in regional rugby union championships, adopting the simplified name Section Paloise. Dr. Pellizza-Duboué was succeeded by M. Dulau, a tannery director. By 1907, the senior team won the Third Series championship and earned promotion to the Second Series, demonstrating the club's growing competitiveness under the guidance of former Paignton RFC player James Crockwell [fr].

In 1910, new statutes introduced active and honorary members, the latter (mainly local bourgeoisie) financing equipment and facilities, including the construction of the Stade de la Croix du Prince. The ground officially opened on 16 October 1910 with a 13–0 victory over Bergerac in front of more than 3,000 spectators.

By 1912, the club had adopted green-and-white as its official colours. Welsh player-coach Thomas Potter [fr] combined his role at the Lycée Louis-Barthou with coaching duties, developing a side capable of challenging the dominant regional clubs, including Aviron Bayonnais and Stado Tarbes. The team featured a highly effective half-back pairing of Paul Lamouret [fr] and Henri Espelette [fr], and its organised forward pack and quick backline attracted large travelling support. By 1913, Section Paloise was recognised as one of the strongest sides in southwestern France, with matches such as the 0–0 draw against 1913 champions Bayonne at the Croix du Prince drawing 12,000 spectators.

During this period, Gilbert Pierrot [fr] became the club's first international, representing France in the 1914 Five Nations Championship, while Jacques Dufourcq joined the club after earning his first cap.

The squad had begun to establish a clear playing style, blending a disciplined forward pack with a fast, running backline, laying the foundations for future success in French rugby.

Under the leadership of Gilbert Pierrot [fr], Section Paloise entered a phase of reconstruction from 1919. The prewar attacking quartet had been decimated: Maurice Tournier [fr] was killed in the war, Pierrot was injured, Laurent Bergès had retired, and Paul Rieu [fr] had moved elsewhere.

Roger Piteu established himself in the first team and became an international. The squad was built around prewar players such as Raymond Bonnemort and Louis Artigou, and war veterans from the 18th Infantry Regiment, including Pierre Elichondo and Louis Mauco, who had represented France in the Inter-Allied Games.

Section Paloise qualified for the French Championship final rounds for the first time in 1922, reaching the pools of three (top thirty clubs in France). However, defeats at home to Béziers and Tarbes prevented advancement to the second stage.

After four challenging seasons, Section Paloise qualified for the French Championship semi-finals in 1927. Led by Albert Cazenave and Robert Sarrade, the team topped its first-phase pool of five and then finished first among the Top 16 in the second phase, the only club with three victories in three matches. Section Paloise faced Stade français in the semi-final in Bordeaux, losing 12–0.

Section Paloise, under the leadership of Gilbert Pierrot [fr], enjoyed a remarkable campaign in the 1927–28 French Rugby Union Championship. The team captured the regional Côte Basque championship for the second consecutive year and topped its pool of five in the national championship. In the subsequent round of four, they secured victories over Stade Français, USA Perpignan, and Lyon OU, before defeating reigning champions Stade Toulousain 3–0 in the semi-final after extra time, courtesy of a decisive try.

The final, held in Toulouse in May 1928, pitted Section Paloise against US Quillan in front of 30,000 spectators. Quillan, backed by industrialist patron Jean Bourrel, had assembled a formidable side by recruiting seven players from Perpignan—French champions in 1925 and finalists in 1926—and five internationals, including Louis Destarac from Tarbes.

The final was tightly contested, but Section Paloise emerged victorious 6–4, securing the club's first Bouclier de Brennus. Local newspapers hailed the achievement: Le Patriote des Pyrénées noted how the Section players, nicknamed the "bérets" for their Béarnese heritage and traditional headwear, overcame the "chapeaux" of Quillan, a reference to Bourrel's recruited squad. L'Indépendant des Basses-Pyrénées also celebrated the triumph, highlighting the fervent support of approximately 25,000 Pau and Béarn fans, who watched their team play the final in white.

Captain Albert Cazenave led the side with distinction, supported by key backs and forwards including Georges Caussarieu, David Aguilar, Robert Sarrade, Fernand Taillantou, and François Récaborde.

The following season, 1928–29, Section Paloise was eliminated in the pool stage by SBUC but retained the Côte Basque title for a second consecutive year.

Before the war, the Section Paloise won the Challenge Yves du Manoir in the 1938–1939 edition against RC Toulon by a score of 5–0 after extra time, courtesy of a try by Desperbasque and transformed by the full-back Courtade.

In 1946, the club was crowned French champions once again. Section Paloise won the 1945–46 French championship, defeating teams like Toulouse and Agen. Despite a lackluster start to the competition, Section overcame Stade Toulousain in the quarter-finals and USA Perpignan in the semi-finals (6–3 after extra time), earning a spot in the final against local rivals FC Lourdes in Paris.

Despite entering the final on a 12-match winning streak, FC Lourdes were decisively defeated 11–0 at the Parc des Princes in Paris. National newspapers praised Section's cohesive and disciplined team, highlighting their physical and moral conditioning over individual "stars." Key figures of this victorious squad included Theo Cazenave [fr], Pierre Lauga [fr] and captain André Rousse [fr].

In 1950, Section Paloise narrowly missed the championship final, losing by a single point to the eventual champions, Castres Olympique. After reaching the French Cup semi-finals in 1951 losing against archrivals Stadoceste Tarbais, the team claimed the Challenge Yves du Manoir in 1952.

In 1959, the signing of François Moncla, a Béarn native, French national team player, and former champion with Racing Club de France, marked the beginning of a new era for the club, as he took on the role of captain for a younger generation of players.

The rebuilding phase culminated in 1964, when Section Paloise captured their third French championship by defeating the formidable AS Béziers 13–0 in the final of the 1963–64 French Rugby Union Championship. Stars of the squad included Moncla, Jean Piqué, Nano Capdouze, Jean-Pierre Saux, Marc Etcheverry, and André Abadie. The season had started poorly, with one headline declaring "La Section en perdition" (Section in Perdition) after heavy losses to Agen and their rivals. However, the team turned their season around with victories over Brive, Chalon, rivals Bayonne, and Narbonne, before triumphing over Béziers in the final. Jean Capdouze scored two tries in the 14–0 victory.

Jean Piqué, who lost his wife to leukemia during the playoffs, played the final with a photo of her tucked into his jersey, a poignant moment that underscored the emotional weight of the victory.

The championship sparked days of jubilant celebration in Béarn's capital, with the Boulevard des Pyrénées overflowing as 30,000 fans gathered to honor the team. However, Béziers avenged their defeat the following week in the Challenge Yves du Manoir, preventing Pau from achieving the double.

The following seasons were less remarkable from a sporting perspective, with captain François Moncla retiring at the start of the 1967 season. A significant shift occurred in 1968 when it was decided that the positions of General President and Rugby President could no longer be held by the same individual within the club. This change marked the end of an era, with Albert Cazenave stepping down after 16 years as president and his brother Theo leaving his role as coach.

That same year, a young talent emerged from Laruns in the Ossau Valley, in the heart of Béarn: Robert Paparemborde. Initially starting his career as an inside centre, Paparemborde later transitioned to tighthead prop, where he became a global benchmark in the position. Another future star, Laurent Cabannes, debuted at the age of 17 and would go on to be regarded as one of the world's finest flankers.

On the field, the first team experienced mixed fortunes. They narrowly lost 14–11 to AS Montferrand in the 1970 quarter-finals and reached the semi-finals against Narbonne in 1974 after a surprise 24–21 victory over Agen in the round of 16. However, the team faced relegation, spending the 1977–78 season in Group B before immediately returning to the top tier.

Section Paloise missed their chance to uphold the 18-year rule (winning titles in 1928, 1946, and 1964), as they fell short in 1982, narrowly losing to SU Agen in the Round of 16. They reached the quarter-finals in 1983 but were defeated by Nice.

By the late 1980s, the team had endured two seasons in Group B and reached the finals of the category in both 1989 and 1990 but narrowly missed promotion. During this time, Section faced mounting challenges, struggling with both sporting results and economic difficulties.

In October 1990, Section Paloise left its historic Stade de la Croix du Prince for the more modern Stade du Hameau. This move alleviated the club's financial difficulties, as the Croix du Prince was sold to the Pau Town Hall. During the early 1990s, the team began to recover, maintaining its place in Group A in 1991 and 1992. In 1993, the club reached the Top 16 but failed to qualify for the quarter-finals, losing out to FC Grenoble—who were controversially denied the title due to a refereeing error—and RC Narbonne, who were playing their fifth quarter-final in six seasons.

In 1994 and 1995, Section Paloise failed to return to the Top 16 and instead participated in the Moga Cup, ultimately losing the final to rivals Aviron Bayonnais in Mont-de-Marsan.

The club began climbing the ranks again, achieving notable results in subsequent seasons. In 1996, Section reached the final of the Challenge Yves du Manoir and the semi-finals of the French championship, though they were defeated by CA Brive on both occasions. These performances secured qualification for the second edition of the 1996–97 Heineken Cup.

In 1997, Section Paloise won the Challenge Yves du Manoir, defeating CS Bourgoin-Jallieu 13–11. Captain Joël Rey became the first Pau skipper since François Moncla in 1964 to lift a trophy for the club, ending a 33-year wait. In the 1996–97 French Rugby Union Championship, Pau were eliminated in the quarter-finals, losing 24–18 to eventual finalists Bourgoin-Jallieu. David Aucagne, Frédéric Torossian, and David Dantiacq were selected for the French national team that season.

In the 1997–98 season, Section Paloise reached the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup. In the quarter-finals, Pau defeated the previous season's finalists Leicester Tigers 35–18 at the Stade du Hameau, with tries from Cléda, Leloir, Bernat-Salles, and Brusque, and a total of six successful kicks from David Aucagne.

The club's European run ended in the semi-final at Bath, losing 20–14 at the Recreation Ground. Bernat-Salles scored Pau's only try, while Aucagne added three penalties. Bath went on to win the competition, narrowly defeating CA Brive in the final.

The following season, Pau struggled after the departure of Philippe Bernat-Salles, exiting early from the championship, losing in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals to Narbonne, and falling in the French Cup semi-finals to Stade Français. Nicolas Bacqué earned international recognition.

In 2000, Section Paloise, coached by , won the 1999–2000 European Challenge Cup by defeating Castres Olympique 34–21 at the Stade des Sept Deniers in Toulouse. Key players during this era included Joël Rey [fr], David Aucagne, Thierry Cléda, Frédéric Torossian, and David Dantiacq.

Domestically, Section Paloise eliminated AS Montferrand 28–27 in the quarter-finals of the 1999-00 French Championship but narrowly missed the final, losing 24–22 in extra time to US Colomiers in the semi-finals.

At the beginning of the 2000s, André Lestorte, then president of Section Paloise, initiated an ambitious project to merge the club with the rivals from Bigorre, Stadoceste Tarbais and FC Lourdes. The aim was to create a more powerful entity, named Section-Pyrénées or Section Paloise – Pays de l'Adour. Inspired by the regional rugby models in New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, Lestorte saw this merger as an opportunity to strengthen regional competitiveness and compete with top clubs from France's major urban centers. He envisioned a Pyrenean club based between Pau, Tarbes, and Lourdes, with a new stadium to be built in the middle, in line with the growing trend of more professional and elitist rugby.

However, the project faced strong local opposition from both Béarn and Bigorre, with some fearing the loss of their clubs' identities. Despite Lestorte's enthusiasm, internal tensions slowed the advancement of discussions. In 2005, growing opposition, led by former presidents of Section Paloise, criticized his management. Eventually, Lestorte was replaced by Joachim Alvarez, and later by Bernard Pontneau [fr] in 2006, who put an end to the merger project. Lestorte left his position amid disapproval, symbolized by acts of vandalism criticizing his project as a threat to local identity.

The following year was challenging, with the league reducing from 21 to 16 clubs. Despite reinforcement by international back-row player Lionel Mallier and centre Jean-Charles Cistacq, the club only secured eight wins out of 18 matches and narrowly avoided relegation by defeating FC Grenoble 33–21 after extra time in a play-off match at Béziers. The team performed more strongly in the 2001–02 Heineken Cup, reaching the quarter-finals before losing to Stade Français.

Despite staying in the top division, Section Paloise lost several key players during the off-season, including international fullback Nicolas Brusque, who joined Biarritz Olympique, and Lionel Mallier, who moved to USA Perpignan.

Promising youngsters Lionel Beauxis and Fabien Cibray were closely monitored, and the club extended long-term contracts for its rising stars at the Stade du Hameau. From 2003 onwards, Beauxis was integrated into the professional squad alongside Jean-Baptiste Peyras-Loustalet. In 2003 Peyras-Loustalet was named as the IRB International U19 Player of the Year. The club managed a notable playoff qualification in 2003.

At the start of the 2003–04 Top 16 season, Beauxis was fully part of the first-team setup. However, due to his age, he could not debut in the first team until the end of October 2003, much to the frustration of coach Jean-Philippe Cariat. Beauxis made his debut on 22 November 2003, in a friendly against AS Béziers at the Stade de la Méditerranée, replacing his childhood idol, David Aucagne. The following week, Beauxis played his first competitive match in the league at Stade Amédée-Domenech, where he scored 19 points and excelled against his direct opponent, veteran fly-half Alain Penaud.

The team faced significant financial troubles and lost Damien Traille and Imanol Harinordoquy to Biarritz Olympique in 2004. Despite these challenges, Section Paloise often fought to secure its top-flight status, with a strong run in the 2004–05 European Challenge Cup. They reached the final under the captaincy of Jean-Charles Cistacq but were ultimately defeated by the Sale Sharks, led by Sébastien Bruno, a former Section Paloise hooker.

However, due to ongoing financial difficulties, Section Paloise was relegated during the 2005–06 Top 16 season under controversial circumstances on the final day of the competition against Castres. In a situation where a try could have saved the club from relegation, Beauxis attempted a drop goal, which he missed. The players, including the senior members, supported Beauxis, as they were unaware of the score of Aviron Bayonnais. Beauxis had simply followed instructions from the sidelines.

Beauxis became a scapegoat, especially for Pierre Bouisset, the general manager who briefly became the coach mid-season. Bouisset publicly stated in a press conference that it was "a youthful mistake." While Cibray remained for another season in Pro D2, Beauxis left the club reluctantly after a difficult period marked by sleepless nights.

The arrival of a new president, Bernard Pontneau, marked a significant turning point for the club, requiring adjustments to policies and strategies. Efforts to stabilize the club led to internal reorganizations, which temporarily disrupted the coherence of the organization and the sporting ambitions.

Following Section Paloise's relegation to Pro D2, the club faced a period of transition and adjustment. The new governance, led by Bernard Pontneau, took office in November 2006 with the goal of rebuilding and returning the club to the top tier of French rugby. During this stormy period, Bernard Pontneau asserted his vision for the club, emphasizing that he would not attempt to erase past conflicts but rather seek to overcome them. Off the field, key figures such as Joël Rey [fr] emerged, bringing their expertise and experience. With the arrival of new players and the commitment of a solid technical staff, including David Aucagne, Section Paloise eventually regained its stability.

The club's ambition to return to the elite of French rugby was reignited in the 2011–12 Pro D2 season. After finishing second in the league and remaining unbeaten at home, Section Paloise secured a place in the promotion playoffs, defeating Stade Rochelais 16–14 in the semi-finals at the Stade du Hameau. However, they lost 29–20 in the final against Stade Montois at Stade Chaban-Delmas in Bordeaux.

In the 2012–13 Rugbuy Pro D2 season, the club again qualified for the semi-finals against La Rochelle, and the final of the promotion playoffs for the Top 14. On this occasion, supporters' clubs, partners, and various corporate committees organized the journey, with no fewer than 142 buses making the trip to Stade Chaban-Delmas. However, Section Paloise was again defeated at this stage of the competition, losing 30–10 to CA Brive in front of 33,175 spectators.

After another disappointment the following season against La Rochelle, losing 35–18 in the semi-finals at Stade Marcel-Deflandre, the club made strong moves in recruitment for the upcoming season, bringing in a new manager, Simon Mannix. The New Zealander, who joined from Munster, settled in Béarn with his video analyst from Munster, Elliot Corcoran, and Irish back-row forward James Coughlan, who would go on to become one of the club's standout players of the season. Section Paloise confirmed its ambitions by taking the top spot as early as Round 2 and never relinquishing it. They set a record by winning the first 8 league matches.

A key figure in the club's return to the top flight, Mannix brought a disciplined, New Zealand-style approach to the team. He focused on shorter, more intense training sessions, fostering a strong sense of focus and resilience.

The club secured its promotion on 11 April 2015, clinching the Pro D2 title with a 31–5 victory over US Montauban, four matches before the end of the season, guaranteeing direct promotion to the Top 14. As soon as the season ended, Simon Mannix used his extensive network to bring in high-profile players such as Colin Slade, Carl Hayman and Conrad Smith, widely regarded as one of the best centres in the world.

Following their return to the Top 14, Pau finished 11th in the 2016 season and 9th in the 2017 season, narrowly missing out on European Rugby Champions Cup qualification. In 2018, they improved to 8th place and reached the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup, but the following year slipped back to 11th in the league and 3rd in their Challenge Cup pool.

The club expanded the Stade du Hameau to Work is almost finished on expanding Stade du Hameau from 14,000 to 18,500 seats, to complement

Mannix was dismissed in 2019 after five seasons, when a string of poor results convinced the board to part ways.

Nicolas Godignon and Frédéric Manca took over as head coach for the 2019–20 season, that was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The championship was suspended on 13 March 2020 and terminated on 30 April, with no title awarded and no promotion or relegation. At the time of suspension, Pau were in 12th place.

In the 2020–21 season, Pau again finished 12th. The campaign was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused several fixtures to be postponed and affected squad availability. Early promise was tempered by a run of defeats, including a red card–marred loss to Brive and heavy defeats to Clermont, Toulon, and Castres. Emerging talents, such as 18-year-old Thibault Debaes, made their debuts, while club icon Julien Fumat [fr] played the final matches of his 310-game career with the club. Pau secured their Top 14 status with a crucial win over Montpellier in the final round.

Staff changes included the temporary stepping back of managers Nicolas Godignon and Frédéric Manca and the mid-season departure of Conrad Smith. Sébastien Piqueronies, initially appointed as manager for the following season, joined the staff early on 1 May 2021.

After several years under New Zealand-born Simon Mannix, during which Section Paloise recruited high-profile former All Blacks such as Slade, Hayman, Conrad Smith or Ben Smith, the club shifted towards a long-term strategy focused on youth development. Sébastien Piqueronies, who had guided France to consecutive World Rugby U20 Championship titles in 2018 and 2019, was appointed to lead this new direction.

The 2021–22 season saw modest progress, with a 10th-place Top 14 finish and elimination at the pool stage of the Challenge Cup. Lock Hugo Auradou became a key figure, while Antoine Hastoy departed after 12 years, replaced by former Exeter Chiefs captain Joe Simmonds. The club began integrating young talent, with Piqueronies prioritising homegrown development over high-profile signings. At the end of the season, the young international fly-half Antoine Hastoy, who had spent 12 years at the club from youth level through to the professional side, departed for La Rochelle. He was replaced by former Exeter Chiefs captain Joe Simmonds.

At the start of the 2022–23 Top 14 season, Pau strengthened their squad with the signings of Émilien Gailleton from Agen and prospect Théo Attissogbe. The campaign was marked by inconsistency, with new fly-half Joe Simmonds directing a youthful backline. Pau finished 12th in the Top 14 and again failed to progress from their Challenge Cup pool, but the season saw the emergence of teenage centre Émilien Gailleton, who scored 14 tries in 24 matches to finish as the league's top try-scorer, earning the attention of France head coach Fabien Galthié.

The 2023–24 season got off to a strong start, with Section briefly topping the table in the first half of the campaign, powered by the form of Joe Simmonds, Jack Maddocks, Théo Attissogbe, and Hugo Auradou. However, following the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the team's form dipped, and they eventually finished 9th, missing out on European Rugby Champions Cup qualification by just one point. After the World Cup, All Blacks legend Sam Whitelock joined Pau, lining up alongside his younger brother Luke Whitelock, the club captain. Whitelock, the All Blacks' most-capped player and a two-time Rugby World Cup champion, brought leadership and experience to the pack, mentoring the young Auradou and setting standards both on and off the field. After several concussions, Whitelock announced his retirement at the end of the season.

The 2024–25 season marked a high point for Pau, with the club achieving its best finish of the professional era by placing 8th and qualifying for the European Rugby Champions Cup for the first time since 2001. The campaign was disrupted by numerous injuries to key players, limiting opportunities to field a consistent starting XV. Despite this, centre Fabien Brau-Boirie emerged as a promising talent, earning his first call-up to train with the French national squad, while long-serving scrum-half and club stalwart Thibault Daubagna won two caps on France's 2025 tour of New Zealand.

The 2025–26 season begins with relatively few changes to the squad. The team is built around a youthful and attacking backline featuring Théo Attissogbé, Olympic sevens gold medallist Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, Émilien Gailleton and Fabien Brau-Boirie, and is guided at fly-half by Joe Simmonds and at scrum-half by veterans Thibault Daubagna and Dan Robson. Some pundits nevertheless regard the side as lacking forward power in the previous season, despite their attacking flair. To address this, notable signings include tight-head prop Thomas Laclayat, Argentina captain Julián Montoya, Argentina international Facundo Isa, and Moroccan hooker Hayam El Bibouji. Building on the foundations established under Piqueronies since 2021, Section Paloise aim to challenge for a Top 14 play-off place and re-establish themselves in European competition after nearly a quarter of a century.