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<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=200 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="06b8dfc3.jpg"> <bR> <div> 28 The Watton</div> <div> Brecon</div> <div> Powys</div> <div> LD3 7EF</div> <div> Telephone: 01874 624205 </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mailto:enquiries@parisguesthouse.co.uk" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:enquiries@parisguesthouse.co.uk"><U>enquiries@parisguesthouse.co.uk</U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="06c8dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Paris Guest House</B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Paris Guest House"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Accommodation"><U>Accommodation</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Request Booking"><U>Request Booking</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How to Find Us"><U>How to Find Us</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Information"><U>Contact Information</U></A>   |   <B>Background</B>   |   <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Useful Links"><U>Useful Links</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#FFFFCC" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="06c8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>Background</I></div> <div> <A HREF="#parisguesthouse__" TITLE="Background"><U>History of Paris Guest House</U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  |  </FONT><A HREF="#a_brief_history_of_brecon" TITLE="Background"><U>History of Brecon</U></A>  |   <A HREF="#location" TITLE="Background"><U>Location</U></A>  <A NAME="top"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <A NAME="parisguesthouse__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Brief History of Paris Guest House  </B></div> <bR> <div> During the Napoleonic wars French navel officers were billeted in Brecon, it is believed that some were housed here.  Some are buried in the Cathedral graveyard.  We have established though the County Archivists office that this property was called Paris House in 1821, it is possible that some of the officers named their billet Paris House to remind them of home.  </div> <bR> <div> Later the property had a number of uses, early photographs, circa 1900 show that it was used as a hardware shop, older residents of the town remember a tobacconist and a sweet shop in what is now the breakfast room, with a barbers shop in the sitting room. </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#top" TITLE="Background"><U>Top of Page</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <A NAME="a_brief_history_of_brecon"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>A Brief History of Brecon</B></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="05c660c0.jpg" border=0 width="358" height="268" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Brecon is an old town which in 1995 celebrated its 900 birthday, and was until recently the county town of Brecknockshire.  Brecon has two names, that is, Brecon, and the Welsh name Aberhonddu.  The name Brecon is derived from the name of the grandson of a fifth century ruler of this part of Wales who was called Brychan, this became Brychieniog and then Brecon.  The Welsh name Aberhonddu is obtained from a literal meaning,  Aber, where two waters meet, and Honndu, the name of a tributary of the river Usk, i.e. Aberhonndu is where the Honndu joins the Usk.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The locality has been populated for many years, Iron Age forts are to be found locally, one Iron Age settlement was built on a man made floating island at Llangorse lake approximately six miles from Brecon.  This was the subject of investigation by The Timewatch team from BBC2.  The remains of a simple boat are on display in the Brecknock Museum, which is 100 Metres on the left towards the town centre in the old County Building, if you have the time this is well worth visiting.  The area boasts a number of standing stones, some of them are located in the middle of the <A HREF="http://www.breconbeacons.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.breconbeacons.org"><U>Brecon Beacons</U></A>, and are quite remote, what made these locations so important? </div> <bR> <bR> <div> The Romans also had an interest in the area, the remains of a fortified camp, Y- Gaer, dating back to 50 A.D. lies some two miles upstream of Brecon on the River Usk, this was a natural fording place on the river.  The Roman's are believed to have occupied the site for 300 years, even  developing vineyards.  One theory is that the Usk valley was a natural route from the West, along which gold from the Welsh gold mines was transported, and as such had to be guarded from raids by the native Celts.  Again more information can be found in the Museum.   </div> <div>   </div> <div> An early Christian in these parts was a man called Illtyd, who spread the Christian word about the same time of Saint David, who was later became the Patron Saint of Wales.  The burial site of Illtyd is reported to be on Mynnydd Illtyd (Common of Illtyd) some four miles South of town.  </div> <bR> <div> The National Park Visitor Information Centre now stands on the common, offering panoramic views of the three major peaks (and very good cream tea's) of the Brecon Beacons, they are Pen y Fan, Corn Du and Crybyn, at just below three thousand feet high being the highest points in South Wales.  In the Centre can be found displays on the geography, and wildlife of the National Park.</div> <bR> <div> During The Norman conquests the area was developed by Bernard de Neufmarche resulting in a Castle and Priory being built in Brecon, which became a walled town.  The ruins of the Castle are not open to visitors as parts of them are built into the Castle Hotel,  The Priory however later became Brecon Cathedral.  Again well worth visiting with a fascinating history of its own, it now boasts a Heritage Centre to welcome visitors.</div> <bR> <div> A town plan of 1610 shows the walled town.  Part of what was much later to become Paris Guest House is clearly marked outside the town wall.  The Civil war of the 1640's bought battle close to Brecon, with Cromwell's Parliamentarian troops laying siege to, and latter destroying Raglan Castle some thirty miles to the East.  Seeing this the towns people of Brecon decided to show neutrality by pulling down the fortified town wall, today only a small part remains.     </div> <bR> <div> A history of modern military presence began in Brecon with the forming of a local malitia, supported by a detachment of regular troops.  This expanded until Brecon became the home garrison for the 24th Regiment of Foot, later to become The South Wales Borderers, who took part in the famous Zulu war engagement at Rorke's Drift, culminating in the award of the largest number of Victoria Cross Medals (the highest decoration for bravery in the British Army) at any single action.  The history of this proud Regiment can be seen 200 Metres along the Watton at the Regimental Museum, which forms part of Brecon Barracks.</div> <bR> <div> Two hundred years ago the industrial revolution came to Brecon with the building of the Brecon and Monmouth Canal, cottage industries sprung up as a reliable method of transport of goods was now available, the canal now begins 200 Metres from Paris Guest House, from here visitors may take a boat trip on the Dragonfly which passes across the aqueduct spanning the river Usk.  A walk along the tow path is a good way to see the country side. There is also a cycle hire shop just around the corner in Free street for those who are more energetic.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#top" TITLE="Background"><U>Top of Pag</U></A><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Background"><U>e</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <A NAME="location"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Location</B></div> <bR> <div> Brecon is located centrally for touring South and Mid Wales, within easy driving distance of Hay on Wye, famous for its book shops (20 minutes), Cardiff, the Welsh capital (50 minutes), Swansea (60 minutes) and a number of attractions within just 30 minutes drive, why not stay in Brecon and visit Europe's largest cave system, go down an actual coal mine, pan for gold, see a show at the theatre, relax in the sauna of the Leisure Centre, visit one of three museums, sail on Llangorse lake, explore the National Park on foot, bike, horse back, car or just relax in beautiful surroundings. These are just some of the things that we suggest from our own experience, if you want more ideas please ask.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#top" TITLE="Background"><U>Top of Page</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>