Pau

Travel Guide
Pau
Visit this city of superb artwork and magnificent architecture set against a breathtaking alpine backdrop.

Amble slowly along roads lined with gently swaying trees and sit in a café overlooking snow-dusted mountains in Pau. Walk through the halls of castles laden with history and view paintings by some of Europe’s finest artisans.

Stand in the morning sun overlooking the river on the Boulevard des Pyrénées and note the dramatic clash between the lush palm trees overhead and the colossal Pyrenees Mountains standing silently in the distance. Enjoy superb French coffee and pastries in roadside cafés while you plan your day.

The perfect place to begin is at Pau Castle in the town center. Wander the tranquil gardens of this grand building and notice the contrasting faces of the exterior. The difference in architecture is due to the various building and restoration projects, which took place before and after the Renaissance. Don’t miss the west wing, which has one of the largest collections of tapestries in France.

From here head north to the Hedas quarter, one of the city’s oldest districts, to look inside the Bernadotte Museum. This is the former home of Jean Baptiste Bernadotte who not only fought for France under Napoleon but was also a hero in Sweden where he was given the throne in 1810. Discover more about this extraordinary man in a traditional Béarnais house that has remained unchanged since he left.

Walk east to the Musée des Beaux-Arts. The walls here are adorned with a range of works including masterpieces by Rubens and Degas. A short walk south will lead you to the spectacular Beaumont Palace with a neoclassical façade that is reflected wonderfully in a large pond.

Pau is a luxurious place with hotels to suit all tastes and budgets. Eat superb French food and enjoy evenings in artistically decorated bars. The city is in southwestern France, a 1-hour drive east of the Atlantic coast city of Biarritz.

Fine art and an enthralling history await among the scenery of the French Pyrenees in Pau.

Where to stay in Pau

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Centre Ville

4.5/5(14 area reviews)

Centre Ville is noteworthy for its historical sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Château de Pau National Museum and Boulevard des Pyrenees.

Centre Ville
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Le Hameau

3/5(1 area review)

Visitors to Le Hameau enjoy its shopping, and if you want to do some exploring, Stade du Hameau is worth a stop.

Le Hameau
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Pau-Sud

You'll enjoy the restaurants and gardens in Pau-Sud. You might want to make time for a stop at Beaumont Park or Stade Nautique.

Pau-Sud
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Pau Nord

4/5(4 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the bars and shopping in Pau Nord. You might want to make time for a stop at Palais de Sports de Pau or Zenith de Pau.

Pau Nord
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Dufau-Tourasse

Though Dufau-Tourasse may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Beaumont Park and Palais Beaumont.

Dufau-Tourasse
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XIV Juillet

Though XIV Juillet may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Château de Pau National Museum and Boulevard des Pyrenees.

XIV Juillet
Hôtel Le Roncevaux
Hôtel Le Roncevaux
3 out of 5
25 Rue Louis Barthou, Pau, Pyrenees Atlantiques
The price is €50 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
€50
per night
6 Apr - 7 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Pau. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Popular attractions Congres de Pau-Pyrenees Tourism Office and Funiculaire de ...
8/10 Very Good! (403 reviews)
Nice place- nice area- 7 euros for parking
"Nice centric hotel - 7 euros for the parking- the lady in front desk was very polite and she assigned me a parking that the night front desk guy gave to someone else and I ended at the very back and dark area 10 points to the lady and 2 points to the guy"

Reviewed on 11 Nov 2023

Hôtel Le Roncevaux
Kyriad Prestige Pau - Zenith - Palais Des Sports
Kyriad Prestige Pau - Zenith - Palais Des Sports
4 out of 5
2 Rue Suzane Lenglen, Pau, Pyrenees Atlantiques
The price is €78 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
€78
per night
5 Apr - 6 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Pau. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Popular attractions Casino Tranchant Pau and Palais de Sports de Pau are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (491 reviews)
"I think my stay would have been better if the farmers strike was not happening shutting down some road access. The strike limited my ability to get around effectively making the location not as ideal for my business. WiFi did not work first 2 days, but they gave me a conference room with hard line ..."

Reviewed on 28 Jan 2024

Kyriad Prestige Pau - Zenith - Palais Des Sports
Continental Pau Centre
Continental Pau Centre
3 out of 5
2 Rue Du Marechal Foch, Pau, Pyrénées-Atlantiques
The price is €85 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
€85
per night
27 Apr - 28 Apr
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Pau. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Popular attractions Musee des Beaux-Arts and Palais Beaumont ...
8/10 Very Good! (414 reviews)
"Very good address to stay in Pau centre, very friendly and helpful staff. Will come back next time definitely."

Reviewed on 26 Oct 2023

Continental Pau Centre
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
All Suites Appart Hotel Pau
All Suites Appart Hotel Pau
3 out of 5
4 Rue de Tiredous, Pau, Pyrenees Atlantiques
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly residence in Pau. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Popular attractions Casino Tranchant Pau and Palais de ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (742 reviews)
"I slept so well every night, it was really quiet. Loved having a kitchenette to sort my own meals. This was a good thing because there is only one restaurant nearby. I think mainly this hotel is for car owners who can travel around easily. There are bus stops 5 minutes walk away, but the buses are ..."

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2024

All Suites Appart Hotel Pau
Appart'City Confort Pau Centre
Appart'City Confort Pau Centre
3 out of 5
9 Rue Du Marechal Joffre, Pau, Pyrenees Atlantiques
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Pau. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Congres de Pau-Pyrenees Tourism Office and Musee Bernadotte ...
8/10 Very Good! (283 reviews)
All you need for a city break
"Perfect"

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2024

Appart'City Confort Pau Centre
Appart'Hotel Victoria Garden Pau
Appart'Hotel Victoria Garden Pau
3 out of 5
5, rue Ronsard, Pau, Pyrenees Atlantiques
Stay at this 3-star residence in Pau. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (417 reviews)
"Everything was as advertised. Very good !! Breakfast was ok."

Reviewed on 5 Sep 2023

Appart'Hotel Victoria Garden Pau
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Pau

4.8
Top destination
5 - Excellent
6
" "5 - Excellent 75%
4 - Good
2
" "4 - Good 25%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
30 Sep 2019

Free funicular ride from station to Boulevard des Pyrenees was unusual and fun

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
26 Aug 2019

I liked the way people living over there. They live their live easy and slowly. Very nice place if you don't like the busy life of the city.

4/5 - Good

StephenS
6 Aug 2019

Really liked Pau, but were let down by the weather as it rained on and off the whole time. But still walked around the pretty town, having invested in sturdy umbrellas.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
28 May 2019

Be prepared for changing weather