The stunning town of Pau
The radiant city of Pau nestles in the heart of the South West, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques.
The secular capital of Béarn, the city stretches along the Gave de Pau, a picturesque river which offers quaysides appreciated by locals and visitors alike. It is also by and thanks to its ideal location that Pau asserts itself as a must-see city in the French Basque Country, where life is good. Located about a hundred kilometers from the Atlantic coast and about fifty from the Spanish border, the birthplace of Henri IV offers you a perfect and calm city alternative if you want to stay in contact with nature without losing sight of the comfort of the civilization and the pleasure of discovery. As a family, as a couple or with friends, you will discover Pau at a pleasant pace and quickly glimpse its beauties, initially architectural, but also natural, as evidenced by the Pyrenees chain which keeps an eye on the city. Pau is ultimately a surprising destination punctuated by a harmonious art of living and imbued with a captivating history against a background of famous characters.
Peaceful and picturesque, the Gave de Pau, like a breadcrumb trail, gives the city colorful reflections and green banks. Like its waterway, the city exudes a serenity and charm that can be found even in its architecture, witness to the eras it has passed through. A must-see in Pau, the Musée national du château de Pau is one of the most visited monuments in France and proudly boasts a certain opulence. In turn medieval fortress, Renaissance palace, royal residence and finally a museum, it embodies the memory of the city.
This grandiloquent building, perched on a hill, astonishes by its dimensions, as evidenced by the huge dining room that can accommodate, in its time, up to a hundred people at the same time. Another major point of interest in the city is the Bernadotte Museum, named after the famous military leader who, after having shone in the Napoleonic army, ascended to the throne of King of Sweden in 1818 to be crowned there. Among the city's notable architectural buildings, the Beaumont Hotel, located opposite the park of the same name, is both extravagant and seductive. Indeed, this modern 4-star hotel, adorned with wooden facades, takes the form of an arc ending in a rotunda where its entrance is located. Undeniably a place to discover if you want to give your stay in Pau extra comfort.
If the city is its own ambassador because it is so full of places of character, its immediate environment and its surroundings are also a real source of inspiration. The Pyrenees National Park, which has its roots at the gates of the city and extends along the Iberian border, is in itself an attraction not to be missed. With its lush and unspoiled vegetation, its mountain peaks among the highest in Europe and its snow cover in winter, it is a gentle reminder of the wonders of nature. About 40km further south-east, Lourdes opens its arms to you and reveals its architectural and religious heritage, including the world famous Grotto of Massabielle, theater of the apparitions of Bernadette Soubirous.
To the north, towards Mont-de-Marsan, it is another natural park, that of the Landes, which will offer itself to you with its flat landscapes, its immense forests and its marvelous coastline connecting the borders of the Basque Country to the mouth of the Arcachon basin. Finally, beyond the Pyrenees, Spain is only a few hundred kilometers away and promises you an additional change of scenery as well as a different perspective on this unique landscape in the world.
Access & Transport
To go to Pau, you have the choice between the A65 / E7 motorway from the North (Bordeaux) or the A64 from the East (Toulouse). Via the A65, join the Pyrenees (A64) at Poey-de-Lescar.
To access the historic center, exit the A64 at exit 10 and take the Catherine de Bourbon alley towards the city center. Address & contact Historical Center Place Royale 64000 Pau Phone. : 05 59 27 27 08 (tourist office)
