Hotels in Pau

Pau: Béarn Gateway to the Pyrenees

Pau sits 200 km south of Bordeaux in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, perched on a ridge above the Gave de Pau river. The city's most celebrated fact is its birthplace status — Henri IV was born in the Château de Pau in 1553, and the castle remains the focal point of the historic centre. The Boulevard des Pyrénées, a 1.8 km promenade laid out under Napoléon III, offers uninterrupted views of the Pyrenean chain, a panorama that drew 19th-century British winter visitors and gave the city an English-inflected legacy still visible in its golf courses and Anglican church.

Where to Stay in Pau

Hotels cluster around the Centre-Ville and the quartier du Château, keeping guests within walking distance of the castle museum and the funicular that links the lower town to the boulevard. The Jurançon wine district begins just across the river, and the market town atmosphere of Place Clemenceau anchors daily commerce. Motorsport fans visit for the Grand Prix de Pau, a Formula 2 street race held on city roads since 1901, one of the oldest closed-road races in Europe.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Pau Pyrénées Airport serves direct flights from Paris-Orly (1 hr 20 min); TGV connections run via Bordeaux.
• Best months: April–June and September offer mild temperatures and clear Pyrenees views.
• Day trips: Lourdes is 40 km east; ski resorts at Gourette are 60 km south via the D934.