Best Things To Do in Pau, France

Are you looking for what to do in Pau?

PLACES TO SEE

  • Pau Castle: Termed one of the most important tourist attractions in Pau, the chateau is the home to King Henri IV of France.
  • Bernadotte Museum: Birthplace of Jean Baptiste Bernadotte which now houses his collectibles, documents and portraits.
  • Lescar Cathedral: A roman style Notre Dame Cathedral built in the early 12th century.
  • Little Train of Artouste: A little train ride at an altitude of 2000 meter, only runs May through November. It is one thing you wouldn’t want to miss. So, make sure to note this point in your vacation planner.
  • Boulevard des Pyrenees: A historical promenade overlooking the Pyrenees. A stroll around this beautiful boulevard is definitely one of the relaxing things to do in Pau.

GUIDED TOURS

  • Experience Canyon: Wonderful Canyon adventure in the mountains and flowing waters. 51, bis boulevard Charles de Gaulle | Chez "Altitude64", 64140 Billere, Pau, France, Phone Number: 0608214578.
  • Funiculaire de Pau: A fun ride from the station to the town. 22, Boulevard des Pyrenees, Pau, France.
  • Office du Tourisme et des Congres de Pau-Pyrenees: The tourist information centre of Pau. Offering maps and trips with the tour guides.
  • Mobilboard Segway Pau: A Segway experience in Pau. 8-10, rue du Marechal Joffre, 64000 Pau, France, Phone Number: +33651281964.

Below we have a list of things to do in Pau and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Pau getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Pau with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Pau

Here is the list of things to do in Pau and tourist attractions in city.

  1. Chateau De Pau

    4.4 (511 Votes)
    Chateau De Pau

    Historical Site

    Built during the middle ages, on the banks of river Gave, Chateau de pau is a magnificent castle of great historic importance. Once the birthplace of King Henry IV, then later becoming a holiday home for Napoleon, the Chateau today is a National Museum located at the heart of the city. Its lush green gardens are home to some remarkable species of trees such Sequoia, Hetre, Orme, Chene and many ...Read more
  2. Boulevard Des Pyrenees

    Outdoors, Cafe, Restaurant

    A wonderful promenade overlooking the Pyrenees, Boulevard des Pyrenees was created at the suggestion of Napoleon. It overlooks the terraced gardens cascading down the valley of Gave. In clear weather, especially at dawn or dusk, you can view as far as Pic du Midi, Pic d’Anie with Pic du Midi d’Ossau which are peaks of mountain ranges located about 50kms to the south. With lots of Ca...Read more
  3. Manor House Of Momas

    Castle, Heritage Building

    Situated 16km north of Pau, Chateau du Momas is built on a feudal mound. This former seigneurial residency is today known for housing the most exquisite and rare trees in its botanical gardens that has been taken care by three generations of botanists. With more than thousand different plants and vegetables, the garden is divided in various sections; White Garden, Herb Garden, Vegetable Garden,...Read more
  4. Asson Zoo

    4.2 (754 Votes)
    Asson Zoo

    Wildlife Park, Zoo

    A 5 hectare land on the Pyrenean foothills, Asson Zoo is known for its uniqueness for housing about 500 exotic species of animals. In collaboration with the zoological association of Asson, the Zoo supports wildlife conservation and public awareness to preserve biodiversity. Some of the real attractions include: Siberian tiger, Snow leopard, red panda, maned wolf, lemurs, and dwarf antelopes t...Read more
  5. Saint-girons De Monein Church

    Church, Religious Site, Architecture

    The largest church in the town of Monien, Saint Girons de Monien took about 70 years and seven generations of men to construct. It was built in the honour of Saint Girons who was one among the seven holy saints of the 5th century who evangelized the Novempopulania or the ‘Land of the Nine tribes’. Although having undergone numerous transformations from the time it was built in the ...Read more
  6. Musee Bernadotte

    4 (259 Votes)
    Musee Bernadotte

    Museum

    The Museum of Bernadotte was once the house and birthplace of Jean Baptiste Bernadotte a soldier who turned Marshal and then eventually became the King of Sweden and Norway during the time of Napoleon. Built around 1730, the house still retains the feel & mood by keeping the same furniture and settings of the bearnaise family at the time. Even the streets through which Bernadotte used to wa...Read more
  7. Roseraie De Saint Vincent

    4.4 (1033 Votes)
    Roseraie De Saint Vincent

    Botanical Garden

    Ideally situated between Pau, Tarbes and Lourdes, on Chemin Henry IV, the Rose Garden of Saint Vincent is in the heart of the most beautiful sights of the region. The garden is a home to more than a 1000 varieties of Roses, making it one of the finest Rose Gardens in the southern France. The tour is provided by passionate rose growers and horticulture major students where each variety is explai...Read more
  8. Museum Of Fine Arts Of Pau

    4.3 (381 Votes)
    Museum Of Fine Arts Of Pau

    Museum, Exhibition , Specialty Museum

    Founded in 1864 and Inaugurated in 1931, The Museum of Fine Arts of Pau houses some of Europe’s most distinctive paintings. While the building’s architecture seems 1930’ish, its exterior facades are a reminder of Greek Art and its interiors are inspired by Byzantine Art. In here you will find artistic masterpieces and remnants of all schools namely The Spanish, Flemish, Dutch...Read more
  9. Musee Des Parachutists

    4.7 (153 Votes)
    Musee Des Parachutists

    Museum, Exhibition , Specialty Museum

    The National Musuem of Paratroopers is dedicated entirely to the French Airborne troops during the Second World War, Indochina and Algeria. Located in Pau Lons it was created in 1964 to honour the airborne troops and only later in 1984, it was established as a museum. It houses about 69 life sized mannequins of soldiers from the time, dressed authentically with all their gears. Along with them...Read more
  10. The Gassion Hotel
    A Hotel turned apartment complex, The Grand Gassion was built between 1867 and 1872. The story behind this 150 year building is an interesting one. Jean Lafourcade Camarau, after having earned a huge sum of 2 million gold francs in Brazil, in his impulse, decided to invest it all in building a grand hotel to satisfy the needs of increasing visitors to the city of Pau. At the time of its complet...Read more
  11. The Cathedral Of Lescar

    Religious Site, Cathedral

    Built in one of the oldest towns of Europe, the first human traces in Lescar dates as far back as 2500 BC. The Cathedral, which is now a National Monument, was constructed by Bishop Guy de Lons somewhere in the year 1120, right during the Spanish Crusades. It was later then sacked by Protestants during the reign of Jeanne III. A Romanesque styled cathedral, its located in a square atop the hill...Read more
  12. Church Of Morlaas

    Church, Religious Site, Architecture

    The Church of Morlaas was built sometime during the 11th and 12th century. It is dedicated to Saint Foy, a young girl saint who was arrested and tortured to death by the Roman Empire during the 2nd century AD. Perhaps the most staggering feature of the church is its long, concentric, arched doorway adorned with sculptures depicting significant biblical events. Inside its lengthy hall with high ...Read more
  13. Villa Lawrance And The Museum Of Resistance And Deportation Image
    ©

    Museum

    Unlike most Villas in France Villa Lawrance is unique for its blend of Flemish and Germanic architecture. It was built by the Schlumberger Family from Alsace in 1855 and was later bought by the Lawrance Family in 1893, hence the name. At the time of its construction, it was in the countryside and the Town of Pau did not extend that far. Only during the Second World War it was bought by the Town...Read more
  14. Pau Gelos Stud Farm

    Historical Site, Nature, Exhibition , Heritage Building

    A superb countryside farm situated in Gelos built by Napolean Bonaparte during 1808 mainly to house military stallions. With beautiful rustic barns giving a very earthly feel the farm is a home to many different breed of horses including Anglo-Arab stallions, Merens, Pottocks and Ponies from the Landes region. Ranked No.1 in France for its Equine breeding. Some of its Activities throughout the ...Read more
  15. Chateau De Montaner

    Castle, Architecture

    Situated at an altitude of 329 meters Chateau de Montaner is known for its 40 meter high fortified tower which was once used to keep a watchful eye on the borders of Bearn. Built in 1373, on the orders of Gaston Febus, the count of Foix, the Chateau served as a garrison and Protection on the frontiers of Bearn. This, along with Morlanne Chateaux, stands as one of the finest examples of French R...Read more