Major city · France
Pau
Spend 1–2 days in Pau as a base for the Pyrenees and southwestern France; one night is enough for the town centre sights.
Pau, capital of Pyrénées-Atlantiques, offers a compact historic centre, the Château de Pau and easy rail links. One full day covers the main sights; add a night for relaxed dining or a day‑trip to the coast.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Nov–Feb (cold, limited opening hours)
- Airport
- PUF
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Pau17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Pau, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyPau is generally safe; pickpocketing can occur in crowded markets, keep valuables secure.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire · 15 Medical (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPUF Pau Pyrénées Airport (10 km (6.2 mi) NW of town, bus links to centre).PUF Pau Pyrénées Airport (6.2 mi (10 km) NW of town, bus links to centre).
- Getting aroundcheckWalk the compact centre; funicular (check hours) climbs to upper town; taxis available; regional trains from Pau station connect to Bordeaux…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffeecheck€1.5–2.5 (≈ US$2–3)
- BeerBeer (draft in bar)check€3–4 (≈ US$4–5)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (city centre 5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (city centre 3.1 mi (5 km))check€12–15 (≈ US$14–18)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range double room, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedMid‑range double room, a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €85 (≈ US$100) · High €130 (≈ US$160)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PUF Pau Pyrénées Airport (10 km (6.2 mi) NW of town, bus links to centre)PUF Pau Pyrénées Airport (6.2 mi (10 km) NW of town, bus links to centre)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Feb
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Mar
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Jul (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pau: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
Feb
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
Dec
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the compact centre; funicular (check hours) climbs to upper town; taxis available; regional trains from Pau station connect to Bordeaux, Bayonne and Paris (TGV ~5 h).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Biarritz
goDoor to door: check
Train from Pau to Bayonne (check), then TER to Biarritz (check)
Coastal town, beach and market.
Tarbes
goDoor to door: check
TER from Pau (check)
Railway heritage and nearby Pyrenees foothills.
Bordeaux
cautionDoor to door: check
TGV from Pau to Bordeaux (check)
Longer trip; consider overnight if you want wine region.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Centre near station
Walk to Château, markets and bars; good for one night.
Near funicular base
Quiet, easy access to upper town.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €55–70 (≈ US$65–85) excl. bed
- Mid
- €85–110 (≈ US$100–130) excl. bed
- High
- €130 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range double room1 × 1 night × €120 | €120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €85 | €170 |
| TGV Paris–Pau (2nd class)2 × €95 · check | €190 |
| Funicular round‑trip2 × €4 · check | €8 |
| eSIM (7 days data)2 × €12 · check | €24 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €51 |
| Trip total≈ €282 per person per day, bed included | €563≈ US$700 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights and long‑distance rail passes excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffeecheck | €1.5–2.5 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Crêpe (plain)check | €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Beer (draft in bar)check | €3–4 (≈ US$4–5) |
| Taxi (city centre 5 km)check | €12–15 (≈ US$14–18) |
| Regional train (Pau–Biarritz)check | €8–12 (≈ US$10–14) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Funicular may close early or be absent late at night; be prepared for stairs.
- Guided tours of the château are in French only; check schedule.
- Winter weather can bring snow in the Pyrenees; road conditions may change.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire
- 18
- Medical
- 15
- General EU emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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PauPau
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s’il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire18
- Medical15
- General EU emergency112
Embassy
US consulate in Bordeaux (check address); other embassies in Paris.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- TGV Paris → Pau (2nd class): about €70 (≈ US$85), 5 h (check)
- Funicular Pau ↔ upper town: €4 (≈ US$5) round‑trip (check)
Say or show
- Pardon — Excuse me / Sorry (pardon)
- Merci — Thank you (merci)
- C’est combien ? — How much is it? (sayt kom-byan)
- Où sont les toilettes ? — Where is the bathroom? (oo sohn lay twah-let)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Pau. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Nov–Feb (cold, limited opening hours) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night for a relaxed dinner at Le Berry or Le Goxoki.
- Combine Pau with a Pyrenees hike; use local bus to Lourdes for mountain access.
Sources
- officialPau official website
- secondaryWikivoyage: Pau, revision 5237352 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Pau
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