The Funicular

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! A way had to be found to link the station of the lower town to the splendid palaces of the upper town, so that rich foreigners could get to their hotels with ease. Engineer Bonnamy’s project was chosen for this energy-efficient, single-track funicular railway. The descending cabin provides almost all the energy required by the ascending cabin. The ticket, which used to cost 10 cents, is now free, and the funicular leaves every 3 minutes to take you up to Royal Square like a true aristocrat! If you don’t like funiculars, you can always walk up the Sentier du Roy.