2 days in Pau and the surrounding area

Planning a getaway to Béarn and looking for an itinerary to enjoy Pau and its surroundings over a weekend? Here's a two-day program designed to flow seamlessly without wasting time on unnecessary travel: the first day is dedicated to the city itself, the second to exploring Jurançon and the nearby area. Let's go!

Day 1: Pau, the capital of Béarn

Head to the historic centre of Pau for a walking tour in the footsteps of Henri IV. Allow approximately two hours to reach the main points of interest: the Boulevard des Pyrénées and its view of the mountain range in clear weather, the narrow streets of the Hédas district, the Place Royale and the area around the castle.

For traditional Béarnaise cuisine in a friendly atmosphere, head to Le Restaurant Le Berry, a Pau institution since 1934.

Once you've had a good meal, head to Pau Castle, birthplace of Henri IV and a national museum, for a deep dive into Béarn history. Allow one to two hours for your visit.

Extend your afternoon with a delicious break at the Maison Francis Miot tea room, before heading to the Musée des Arts Sucrés (Museum of Sweet Arts) in Uzos, about ten minutes from Pau, if you have a weakness for Béarnaise sweets. This museum traces the history of confectionery and artisanal techniques through workshops and demonstrations.

For the evening, two atmospheres are available to you depending on your preferences.

• On the gastronomic side, several establishments near Pau showcase local Béarnais products in characterful settings, often old stone houses, with menus that change with the seasons: allow a good evening to fully enjoy the setting and the service.
• For a more relaxed option, the city centre also has more unusual places where you can combine tasting local beers and a friendly atmosphere, an option to favor if you are travelling in a group or if you are looking for a less formal end to the day.

Day 2: Jurançon and the surroundings of Pau

Head to the Gan Cooperative Winery, in the heart of the Jurançon vineyards, about fifteen minutes from Pau. Jurançon is one of the oldest appellations in Southwest France, planted on hillsides overlooking the Gave de Pau valley, with views stretching as far as the Pyrenees on a clear day. The cooperative brings together the local winemakers and offers a guided tasting to discover the two facets of the appellation: dry whites, crisp and mineral, and sweet wines, made from late-harvested grapes, renowned for their balance of sweetness and acidity.

Allow approximately one hour for the winery tour and tasting, longer if you wish to purchase a few bottles. It's also an opportunity to chat with the producers about the specific characteristics of the local terroir, shaped by the southern exposure of the slopes and the influence of the foehn, a warm, dry wind descending from the Pyrenees that promotes the late ripening of the grapes. For those wishing to extend their visit, some individual estates in the area also offer vineyard tours by reservation, an option to consider if you have a little more time than planned.

To extend your stay near Pau

If you have more than two days, several sites deserve a full half-day visit but are too far from Pau to fit into this weekend format:

• Asson Zoo, about 30 minutes south of Pau.
• The gardens of Viven Castle, about thirty minutes to the northwest.
• The Green Stems Forest for an afternoon of tree climbing.
•  A road trip along the Gave de Pau, passing Billère and Lendresse to the west of the city.

We wish you a pleasant discovery of the city of Pau, whether for a weekend or a longer getaway to explore the surroundings of the capital of Béarn.

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