Free walking tours in Pau and what to see

Must-sees

Pau is the capital of Béarn, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, and sits on a natural balcony above the Gave de Pau river. Its château, where Henry IV was born, is now a national museum: you can see furnished rooms, a tapestry collection and the tortoiseshell that, according to tradition, served as the king’s cradle. The building mixes a medieval fortress with Renaissance and 19th-century alterations.

The Boulevard des Pyrénées runs along the edge of the town between the château and the Parc Beaumont, with a sweeping view of the mountains on clear days. A small funicular runs down from the boulevard to the train station. In the centre there are shopping streets, villas from the time when Pau attracted British travellers, and the fine arts museum. Across the river begin the Jurançon vineyards, and a few kilometres away is Lescar, with its Romanesque cathedral.

Free tours and guided visits

Civitatis has no free walking tours in Pau. What’s on offer revolves around food and the surrounding area: a pass for tasting local produce in town, a visit with tasting at a nearby winery and tickets for the Commandery of Lacommande, a former stop on the Way of St James. If you are after adventure, there is white-water rafting on the Gave de Pau.

How long to spend

One day is enough for the château, the boulevard and the centre. With two you can add the Jurançon vineyards and Lescar. Pau is also a good base for heading up into Pyrenean valleys such as the Ossau, or for reaching Lourdes, so with three or four days you make better use of the area.

Where to stay

The most practical area is the centre, between the château and the Boulevard des Pyrénées, with hotels overlooking the mountains and everything within walking distance. The Parc Beaumont area is quieter and greener. If you are driving and want countryside, Jurançon and its wine villages have guesthouses a few minutes from town.