Pau - Pyrénées, a summer and winter destination

The Pau - Pyrénées destination, a stone's throw from Spain and the Basque Country and just 1h from Lourdes is perfect for going green. This outdoor-sports-focused destination proposes activities all year round for everyone, experienced sportspeople and amateurs alike, as well as families.

An ever-so rich, welcoming destination, boasting a strong Béarn identity: gastronomy, oenotourism, pastoral traditions, creators showcasing a myriad of talents…

5 reasons to schedule a stay in the Pau - Pyrénées destination 

1. Incredible nature and outstanding scenescapes

In the Pyrénées National Park, bordering Spain, nature is still incredibly unspoilt on the Pic du Midi d’Ossau slopes and in the three valleys: Ossau, Aspe and Barétous. The Pyrénées Mountains invite to discover a host of different activities throughout the seasons.

 

In winter, ski resorts and Nordic areas extend their offers to delight young and old, skiers and non-skiers alike. La Pierre-Saint-Martin, labelled “Flocon vert” (Green Snowflake - the only resort in the Pyrénées to be granted this label), is also renowned as an eco-friendly, responsible ski resort.

 

During spring and summer, the destination is a must-do for trekking (GR10), mountain-biking, canyoning, white-water sports, fishing lovers… On the Santiago de Compostela route, hikers and pilgrims head towards the Basque Country and Béarn before crossing the Pyrénées, at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, via the legendary Bentarte and Somport mountain passes and reaching the “Camino Frances” (the French Way).

2. 100% Béarn identity

The Pyrénées, birthplace of Gaston Fébus, boast a long history. This little “state” managed to keep its independence for several centuries from its powerful French and Spanish neighbours. It constantly advocated freedom and justice for all Béarn inhabitants with its savvy blend of aristocracy and democracy. Down through the centuries, a host of castles were built in Pau, Orthez, Montaner, the manor in Laàs as well as the Fort du Portalet.

Heritage overflowing with tales complemented by numerous traditions through its language, a dialect derived from Occitan, its pastoralism, its gastronomy (Ossau-Iraty ewe's cheese, Jurançon wine, garbure stew, etc.) and its know-how (Laulhère berets, Lartigues 1910 and Moutet woven linen …).

3. A top-class tasting session

The Béarn identity is also to be found in its wines, like Jurançon, Madiran, Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh as well as AOC Béarn Jurançon, granted the French Vignoble & Découvertes (Vineyards & Discoveries) label, is a vineyard that covers 1,300 hectares, on the outskirts of Pau, and boasts a breathtaking vista over the Pyrénées.

In these foothills, the Wine Route winemakers perpetuate authentic, one-of-a-kind viticulture (vines cultivated on terraces and occasionally in cirques). They produce some of France's finest liqueur wines (white, dry and sweet wines) that can be found in the most prestigious restaurants. Small family estates have a real sense of hospitality and propose a type of oenotourism that is different from the other vineyards.

4. Pau, a royal city with great influence

Pau, the "capital" of Béarn, is a vibrant city with a rich history and great influence.

The city, which benefits from incredible natural scenescapes, enjoys a privileged location close to the sea and the Pyrénées. It was a highly-popular resort for European and American aristocrats in the 19th century. 

Pau, a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire (City of Art and History), is a future-oriented royal city. Henry IV, King of France, was born here in the famous Château de Pau, the city's top site for tours in numbers of visitors. The city, which stretches out from the foot of the ramparts, is highly-suitable for urban tourism with its animated streets.

Pay, a pioneering city, is also at  the cutting edge in the sports field: cycling, rugby, automobile Grand Prix, white-water sports, golf, etc. Moreover, the oldest golf club in Europe, created in 1855, is situated in Pau.

5. Highly-original getaways at the heart of the Pyrénées

One-of-a-kind experiences just waiting to be discovered in out-of-the-ordinary types of accommodation, with the Pyrénées as the backdrop, summer and winter alike. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Sleep at an altitude of 1,800 metres in a "Black rock": Black Rock, located at the top of La Pierre-Saint-Martin resort is a real cocoon designed with a genuine focus on protecting the environment. Jean Louis Carrasoumet and his team have created accommodation with a snowshoeing activity, a Nordic bath and "locavore" dinner included. Everything has been imagined using local resources.
  • Step into a trapper's shoes in Domaine de Gourette: The Nordic adventure, managed by two mountain guides invites you to spend your nights in an igloo or snow tepee (2 to 6 people, with a wood-fired stove). The experience begins with a snowshoeing outing, followed by an outdoor Nordic bath with water at 38°C, a delicious mountain-style meal and a trapper-style sleepover.
  • An eco-friendly cabin in the woods in Salies-de-Béarn (no website): This in-tune-with-nature dwelling, nestling in a forest with 10 hectares of Douglas firs, oaks, acacias and maples, was built by its owner Jérôme Laffay at the very heart of Béarn, just 5 minutes from "salt town". LED electricity, composting toilets, wood-fired Nordic bath, etc. these cabins are designed around an eco-friendly approach. A real back-to-roots getaway!

Key figures to remember about Pau - Pyrénées destination 

1,001 ways to discover Pau and Béarn

Enjoy the experience: Béarn-Pyrénées

How to get here

By air:

Pau - Pyrénées International Airport, 12 km from Pau city centre by road, with links to Paris CDG and Orly (1h30).

Biarritz - Basque Country International Airport, 3 km from the centre of Biarritz by road, with European links: Paris (1h30), London (1h45), Brussels (1h45), Geneva (1h10), etc. Bordeaux and Bilbao airports, 1h30 by road.

 

By train:

Pau at 4h20 from Paris by TGV high-speed train, at 2h10 from Bordeaux by TGV high-speed train. Numerous regional trains: Pau-Bayonne, Pau-Dax, Pau-Toulouse, Pau-Lourdes

https://www.sncf-connect.com/

 

By road:

Paris-Bordeaux-Pau: A10-A62-A65 (7h28)

Bordeaux-Pau: A 65 (2h23)

Toulouse-Pau: A 64 (1h59)

Lourdes-Pau: A 65 (50 min)