Tour
4 km
1h40
19 audios
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Welcome to the gateway to the majestic Pyrénées. The capital of Bearn greets you with style and friendliness to a human-scale town, set in truly exceptional landscape. Less than an hour and a half from the ocean and 45 minutes from the mountains, the inhabitants of the 3rd largest city in the southwest of France can boast of being rather well-settled! Home to the kingdom of Navarre, Pau was the birthplace of Henri IV, France’s favourite king. Consequently, it has left us with an outstanding historical heritage! But Pau also boasts of a healthy climate and an aristocratic Belle Epoque resort, which left behind avant-garde palaces, luxurious villas, promenades, baths, and casinos, as well as a retro-chic funicular railway that is still operational today! The city didn’t just welcome sun-seeking foreigners; it is also the cradle of aeronautics, with the creation in 1909 of the world’s first airplane piloting school! Then it was the turn of the students to move in, making Pau a young, dynamic, and futuristic city. This 4km tour takes you on a journey between modernity and tradition, in the footsteps of a great French king, for a dive into history, with an astonishing Pyrenees backdrop!
The imposing war memorial behind the church is personified by Athena, the goddess of war and representative of victorious France. It was built in 1927 to commemorate those who fought in World War I. Other battles fought by the 18th Pau Regiment were later added. Read more
The prestigious Gassion Hotel on your left says a lot about the buildings erected in Pau during the tourist boom. As you can imagine, the hotel was built to accommodate a certain class of tourists and is renowned as being the most modern in Europe. Read more
The white building in the square tells the story of a significant part of Pau's history. Today, it houses the Pyrenees Atlantique Departmental General Council. However, it has served many other functions in the past. Look at its tower, for example - it looks exactly like a campanile! Read more
You've finally arrived at the beautiful Pau Castle! Before it became this magnificent Renaissance palace, Pau Castle was a simple fortification designed to monitor the watchtower on River Gave. It was surrounded by a wooden palisade, known in Béarnais as the " pau ", which gave Read more
Pau is one of the towns with the most flowers in France. You are now passing through the Renaissance garden of the castle. If you want to go further, you can continue your visit by crossing the Nemours bridge, leading you to the beautiful royal park with its exceptional views of the castle. Read more
Below the castle, Place de la Monnaie enables an excellent overview. From here, you can clearly see the different eras the castle has gone through. There's the old watchtower from its early days, now a mint and more recently a lift, as well as the imposing brick donjon Read more
You can now take a stroll along the pleasantly landscaped paths known as the "King's Paths". This delightful walk has recently been upgraded and provides access to the lower part of the town. The King's Paths are Read more
Welcome to the site of the old Pau Velodrome, built in 1901. With a hundred or so start and finish points, Pau is considered the Capital of the Tour de France. This exhibition is dedicated to those who have contributed to the magic of the Tour. Read more
Pau's funicular is the emblematic image of the city in the Roaring Twenties! In 1905, the rich and famous from all over the world were flocking to Pau and the city did everything it could to give its distinguished guests a fitting welcome! Read more
As you get off the funicular at the top of Pavillon des Arts, you are immediately rewarded with a spectacular view of the surrounding area. The Royal Square has only been open to the landscape since 1808, when Napoleon ordered it to be enlarged. The square was originally laid out Read more
As you can see, Pau was strongly influenced by the mass arrival of aristocrats from all over the world. But where did this sudden infatuation for the city, which had not been a royal capital for centuries, come from? It all started with a best-seller! In 1842, Read more
The avenue you just walked along, lined with beautiful shops, is the new version of the old Pyrenees Palace, whose roof and dome were removed to turn it into an open, airy, and dynamic shopping street. Now known as Pyrenees Promenade, it’s like a new breeze blowing through the city centre. Read more
The beautiful Covered Markets of Pau are brand new! You'll be able to discover the Béarn region in the best possible conditions! The architecture is innovative, to say the least! The Halles of Pau even won the Wan Award, a prize awarded by the international jury of the World Academy of Architecture. Read more
Right after Palais de Justice, you'll see Saint-Jacques church, built on the site of the former Cordeliers convent chapel. It was a stopover for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. But by the 19th century, Pau's two churches were too small to accommodate Read more
The beautiful stone house in front of you is the birthplace of Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte. You might not be familiar with the name, but we are actually talking about the King of Sweden and Norway! As unlikely as it may seem to you, it's true. Read more
The Hédas neighbourhood has quite a story to tell! Hédas street, which stretches out beneath your feet, follows the bed of the former stream bearing the same name. If you could see it from above, you'd notice how it winds its way through the city. Read more
This is the Grand Street, the town's main thoroughfare in the Middle Ages, which ran from the castle and extended ever further eastwards. In fact, you couldn't really go in any other direction. The south was cut off by the Gave River and the north by the Hédas stream, Read more
Saint-Martin church is the second of its kind to be built in Pau. The first Saint-Martin church was built in the 15th century opposite the Pau castle, on what is now Deportation Square. It remained the town's only parish until 1803. Read more
Découvrez Pau avec l’application navaway®
An interactive guide through the most beautiful streets, squares, and districts
18 fun audioguides full of historical facts, anecdotes, and legends
A captivating investigation game in the heart of the Jurançon vineyards.
As you have seen during your visit, Pau is a city steeped in history.
If you’re up for more, I recommend heading to the medieval town of Lescar. Besides its undeniable cultural interest, it offers breathtaking views of the Pyrenees and the Pic du Midi d’Ossau.
Pau is also a city connected with nature! Starting with the timeless Bastard Forest.
About 15 to 20 minutes from the city center, you also have the charming Lake of Aressy to the east and Lake of Laroin to the west.
And for avid hikers, there’s no shortage of trails—we’re at the foot of the Pyrenees after all! In less than an hour from Pau, you can reach the stunning Ossau Valley in the Atlantic Pyrenees. The circuit around the Ayous lakes is one of the most popular hikes. Start early to avoid the crowds and to be able to park at the highest parking lot (paid upper parking at 1422 meters, usually full after 8:30 am). Parking at the lower lot adds an extra 30 minutes of uninteresting approach walking.
Duration: 6h30
Distance: 16 km
Elevation Gain: 800 m
Highest Point: 2097 m
Difficulty: Moderate
Info: Well-marked trail, spectacular landscapes of 4 high-mountain lakes. If you don’t complete the circuit around the last lake, subtract 30 minutes from the total duration.
Pau is also a city known for high-level sports. For golf enthusiasts, the Pau Golf Club, the first outside the British Isles, offers a dive into cultural and societal heritage.
The city has also hosted the first automobile races, and today, you can drive the most beautiful cars from the Pau International Grand Prix on one of the most technical circuits!
If you’re drawn to white water sports, you can try kayaking safely at the incredible Aquasports artificial site.
And for horse sports enthusiasts, head to the Pau-Gelos National Stud.
If you prefer good wine to sports, know that Pau is located on the Jurançon wine route. Its Béarn vineyard produces a controlled designation of origin white wine, which has been gracing French tables since Henri IV. Don’t hesitate to visit the cellars and taste its two main white wines, one dry and one sweet, made from Petit and Gros Manseng grapes.
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Description: Pau is the city where King Henry IV was born. He first saw the light of day in the noble medieval fortress that is the Château de Pau, built during the 10th century. Renovated in the 14th century by Gaston Fébus, the immense residence became a typical Renaissance castle. You can visit it on a guided tour with a museum agent who will reveal the different rooms of the castle, their functions, and how they were used… You will follow a general itinerary that will take you through various eras. So, are you ready for a journey through time? The Château de Pau is located near “Rue du Château” and is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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Hotel Description:
This hotel is known for its excellent value for money. The rooms are fairly simple, with modern decor. Many guests are generally satisfied with the staff’s
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Location:
3 Rue Gambetta, 64000, Pau, France
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You certainly know Pau thanks to Henry IV, but do you know where to place it on the map? Pau is located in the south-west of France, specifically in the Pyrénées Atlantiques. When staying in Pau in Béarn, you’ll be just over an hour from the Basque coast, including Bayonne and Biarritz, and an hour from the Pyrénées, making it the perfect spot for hiking or skiing during the winter season.
No need to rack your brain to name the inhabitants of Pau. They are called the Palois.
You can take a walk in Pau in several peaceful spots. But if I had to highlight one place, it would undoubtedly be the Boulevard des Pyrénées. This long boulevard offers a view of the Pyrenees mountain range and even the city’s emblem, the Pic du Midi d’Ossau. You will notice fine inscriptions on the railings, accompanied by a small arrow. If you lean in, you’ll find the name of a peak and its highest point. Simply follow the arrow, and it will show you exactly where the mountain is. At the end of this boulevard, you’ll be near the Château de Pau, the birthplace of Henry IV. You can explore the castle quarter and its picturesque streets before reaching the more modern city center, where terraces blend with shops.
Going out in Pau is not the hardest thing to do. The south-west is known for its friendliness and good living. In the afternoon, you can visit the Halles de Pau. Located in the city center, they offer the best regional specialties, such as duck. The market is divided into two floors: the first is dedicated to stalls, and the second to dining. You’ll get the chance to sample various specialties. If the weather is nice, a large terrace is available. In the evening, you’ll find several bars on the Boulevard des Pyrénées and near Place Clemenceau. For a bit more intimacy, head to the castle neighborhood or the Hédas area.
The cost of real estate in Pau is not exorbitant, although it is increasing, like most cities. To settle down, it depends on your preferences. If you want to live in the historical heart of the city, you can look around the two high schools in the city center, Lycée Louis Barthou and St Crique. For a much higher budget, Avenue Trespoey will meet your expectations. You’ll find several large luxury homes, some offering a view of the Pyrénées. By staying in this area, you’ll be close to the city center while enjoying the calm and gentle lifestyle of Pau.
There are several ways to visit Pau. To explore the historical and cultural side of the city, head to the castle quarter. You’ll get to discover the Château de Pau, whose construction finished in the 19th century. You’ll be transported to the 16th century, the period when Henry IV grew up. Once the tour is over, you can visit the Musée des Beaux Arts, which is just a short walk from the Collège Marguerite de Navarre.
Pau is also a very sporty city. Of course, when thinking of the south-west, rugby comes to mind first. It’s indeed the most popular sport, with the famous Section Paloise team competing in the Top 14, France’s first division of rugby. Watching a match at the Stade du Hameau is a great moment of unity with the Béarnais. But rugby is not the only popular sport in the 64 department. Football is also honored, with Pau FC playing in the second division, basketball with Élan Béarnais, handball with Billère Handball Pau Pyrénées, and canoeing and kayaking with the famous triple Olympic champion Tony Estanguet, who is from Pau.
Why go to Pau? Because it’s great to live there. The answer is in the question. More seriously, Pau is known for its air quality, which has been praised for years. In the 19th century, a Scottish doctor named Alexander Taylor wrote a book titled On the curative influence of the climate of Pau, praising the benefits of Pau’s air. Since then, a large English-speaking community has settled in Pau. In addition to the pure air, Pau has many other advantages. Its location allows you to easily reach the Basque coast and its beautiful beaches like Biarritz, Anglet, or Saint-Jean-de-Luz, go hiking and skiing in the Pyrénées, and even enjoy Spain, which is just an hour away from Pau. San Sebastián and Bilbao are beautiful cities in the Spanish Basque Country, perfect for a day trip. Finally, as Pau is a city in the south-west, an area famous for its gastronomy and conviviality, it’s worth visiting and even tasting.
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