Last updated · Pau (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 219 m elevation) commune guide reviewed by the FranceStarter editorial team
What to See & Do in Pau (Nouvelle-Aquitaine)
Served by Gare de Pau (1.0 km) in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Pau (INSEE 64445; pop. 77,251) offers easy access to Château de Pau and Place Georges-Clemenceau at 219 m altitude. Visitors use Pau as a walkable base for tasting Basque pintxos, piperade, Bayonne ham & piment d'Espelette and Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion, Médoc & Cognac AOC vintages across Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
In Pau (Pau (64445), 219 m elevation, pop. 77,251), top sights and local landmarks include Château de Pau (0.8 km) · Place Georges-Clemenceau (0.6 km) · Pau mediumwave radio mast (2.6 km), alongside surrounding quartiers and hameaux such as Lartigue, Le Perlic (4.1 km), Le Bilaà (4.6 km), Berlanne (6.7 km). Within Nouvelle-Aquitaine (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), Pau serves as a commune in nouvelle-aquitaine (Regional km², Urban/Town residents/km²) that pairs well with wider regional highlights including Bordeaux Place de la Bourse & Cité du Vin, Saint-Émilion vineyards & Dune du Pilat, Dordogne Valley (Sarlat, Lascaux, Rocamadour), La Rochelle Old Port, Biarritz, Bayonne & Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
- Nearby Landmarks & Monuments in Pau: Château de Pau (0.8 km) · Place Georges-Clemenceau (0.6 km) · Pau mediumwave radio mast (2.6 km)
- Local Quartiers, Villages & Lieux-dits (Pau): Lartigue, Le Perlic (4.1 km), Le Bilaà (4.6 km), Berlanne (6.7 km)
- Historic Core & Weekly Marché of Pau: Stroll the central square around the Mairie, parish church, and morning market stalls in Pau.
How to Get to Pau: Nearest SNCF Station & Rail Access
Rail & road access for Pau (43.3008°N, -0.37°E): Nearest station is Gare de Pau (1.0 km), connecting via the regional hub of Gare de Bordeaux Saint-Jean (SNCF TGV INOUI, Ouigo & TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine). TGV INOUI from Paris Montparnasse to Bordeaux Saint-Jean in 2h04, continuing to Biarritz, Bayonne and Hendaye; direct TGV to La Rochelle and Poitiers.
- SNCF TER & transit cards for Pau: Once in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, SNCF TER regional trains and departmental coaches link Bordeaux with Pau (Gare de Pau (1.0 km)). Urban trams and buses accept contactless bank cards and regional passes (Navigo Easy in Paris, TCL in Lyon, Lignes d'Azur in Nice).
- Luggage & station storage near Pau: Major SNCF hubs in Nouvelle-Aquitaine offer consignes (left-luggage lockers). If stopping in Pau between bases, verify bag dimensions in our SNCF & Airline Luggage Checker.
- Driving & car rental around Pau: While Pau centre-ville is accessible by rail and local bus, picking up a rental car at Gare de Bordeaux Saint-Jean (SNCF TGV INOUI, Ouigo & TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine) makes it easy to explore rural vineyards, châteaux, and scenic passes across Nouvelle-Aquitaine. See our Driving in France, Autoroute Tolls & Crit'Air Guide.
What Locals Eat in Pau (Nouvelle-Aquitaine Specialties)
1. Signature Dish in Pau (Entrée & Plat)
In Pau (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), traditional tables feature: Southwest French terroir cooking—magret and confit de canard, entrecôte à la bordelaise grilled over vine clippings, Basque poulet basquaise, piperade, chipirons à la plancha, and Charentais mouclade. Inland across Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Pau highlights orchard ciders, river fish, farmstead cheeses, and traditional market-day charcuterie.
2. Wine & Cellar Pairings Around Pau
Around Pau and across Pyrénées-Atlantiques, local wine lists and cellar pairings highlight: World-renowned Bordeaux Grands Crus (Médoc, Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Graves, Sauternes), Bergerac, Jurançon and Irouléguy wines, plus Cognac, Armagnac and Pineau des Charentes.
3. AOC / AOP Cheeses & Boulangerie in Pau
At the weekly market and fromageries of Pau (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), look for: Arcachon Basin and Marennes-Oléron oysters, Périgord black truffles and walnuts, Jambon de Bayonne IGP, Piment d'Espelette AOP, Ossau-Iraty sheep's cheese, Canelés de Bordeaux, and Gâteau Basque.
4. Dining Rhythm & Market Hours in Pau
Morning oyster tastings with crisp white wine at covered markets, Basque pintxo-pote evenings in coastal port towns, and leisurely vineyard château lunches across the Gironde and Dordogne. In Pau (pop. 77,251), covered halles, neighborhood bistros, wine bars, and specialty pâtisseries across Pyrénées-Atlantiques offer both great-value weekday lunch formules (€16–€24) and evening gastronomic tasting menus.
Across Pau (Pau (64445)) and the wider Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, look for bistro chalkboards featuring Canelés de Bordeaux & Dunes Blanches, Arcachon Basin & Marennes-Oléron oysters, Périgord duck confit, foie gras & black truffles, Basque pintxos, piperade, Bayonne ham & piment d'Espelette, Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion, Médoc & Cognac AOC vintages. For allergy cards or restaurant phrases in Pau, use our French Phrasebook & Show-to-Staff Cards or practice speaking in Learn French for Travelers.
5 Nearest Neighboring Communes & Day Trips from Pau
The 5 closest neighboring French communes (communes limitrophes) to Pau (43.3008°N, -0.37°E, 219 m elevation) for local day trips across Nouvelle-Aquitaine are:
- Gelos (1.9 km from Pau)
- Jurançon (2.0 km from Pau)
- Bizanos (2.1 km from Pau)
- Billère (2.2 km from Pau)
- Mazères-Lezons (3.0 km from Pau)
Commune Facts, Elevation & Best Time to Visit Pau
Seasonal advice for Pau (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 219 m elevation): Best time to visit Nouvelle-Aquitaine: May–Oct (Sep–Oct for Bordeaux wine harvest). Pair your visit to Pau with regional highlights across Nouvelle-Aquitaine: Bordeaux Place de la Bourse & Cité du Vin, Saint-Émilion vineyards & Dune du Pilat, Dordogne Valley (Sarlat, Lascaux, Rocamadour), La Rochelle Old Port, Biarritz, Bayonne & Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
| Commune Fact | Details for Pau (Pau (64445)) |
|---|---|
| Official Commune Name | Pau (64445) (Pau) |
| Administrative Role | Commune in Nouvelle-Aquitaine |
| Region & Prefecture Capital | Nouvelle-Aquitaine (Capital: Bordeaux) |
| Geographic Zone | Pyrénées-Atlantiques |
| Population | 77,251 residents |
| Surface Area / Density | Regional km² · Urban/Town residents per km² |
| GeoNames Elevation | 219 m elevation |
| Nearest Rail Station | Gare de Pau (1.0 km) |
| Municipal Heritage | Official Municipality |
| GPS Coordinates | 43.3008°N, -0.37°E |
Practical Travel Tips for Pau
- Office de Tourisme in Pau: Visit the local Office de Tourisme near the historic center of Pau (or at Gare de Bordeaux Saint-Jean (SNCF TGV INOUI, Ouigo & TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine)) for walking maps, market days, and seasonal château or museum hours.
- Cards, Euros & ATMs in Pau: Bistros, bakeries, and shops in Pau accept Visa and Mastercard (contactless sans contact up to €50), though keeping €10–€20 in coins and small notes is helpful for open-air market stalls and village bakeries. BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, Société Générale, and La Banque Postale ATMs operate across Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
- French dining hours in Pau: Outside nonstop brasseries near major stations, kitchens in Pau serve lunch strictly from 12:00 to 13:45 and dinner from 19:15 to 21:30.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Pau (Pau (64445)) located in France?
Pau (Pau (64445)) is a commune located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques region of France (coordinates: 43.3008°N, -0.37°E, 219 m elevation). It has a population of 77,251 across Regional km² (Urban/Town/km²).
How do I get to Pau by SNCF train?
Travelers reach Pau via Gare de Pau (1.0 km) and the main regional gateway of Gare de Bordeaux Saint-Jean (SNCF TGV INOUI, Ouigo & TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine). TGV INOUI from Paris Montparnasse to Bordeaux Saint-Jean in 2h04, continuing to Biarritz, Bayonne and Hendaye; direct TGV to La Rochelle and Poitiers. Compare fares and travel times in our SNCF TGV INOUI, Ouigo & TER Fare Calculator.
What local food is Pau (Nouvelle-Aquitaine) known for?
In Pau and across Nouvelle-Aquitaine, signature regional dishes include Canelés de Bordeaux & Dunes Blanches, Arcachon Basin & Marennes-Oléron oysters, Périgord duck confit, foie gras & black truffles, plus Basque pintxos, piperade, Bayonne ham & piment d'Espelette and Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion, Médoc & Cognac AOC vintages. Look for artisan boulangeries, weekly open-air marchés, and bistros offering a weekday Formule du Midi.
When is the best time of year to visit Pau?
For Pau (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 219 m elevation): Best time to visit Nouvelle-Aquitaine: May–Oct (Sep–Oct for Bordeaux wine harvest). Check our France Seasonal Calendar for month-by-month weather and festival highlights.
Official Sources & References for Pau
Official commune, rail, and tourism references for Pau (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 43.3008°N, -0.37°E) verified against Atout France, SNCF Connect, and INSEE / GeoNames data.