France · 2026
Weekend in Pau
How to spend 2 days in Pau — a Friday-to-Sunday plan covering the highlights without the tourist-trap detours. Built from real attraction data.
Arrive and Settle In
Friday evening is for arriving, checking in, and getting oriented. Keep it simple — a short walk to get your bearings, then dinner near the hotel.
Funiculaire de Pau
Free 200m from centreA short funicular railway connecting the lower town (Place de la République) to the upper town near the château. Free to use.
Tip: Runs every 2-3 minutes. Great for avoiding the steep hill, and you get a good view of the château from the top.
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Pau
Free 300m from centreFine arts museum with a small but good collection of European paintings from the 16th to 20th centuries, including works by Degas and Brueghel.
Tip: Free permanent collection; temporary exhibitions cost €4. The building itself is worth a look inside for the staircase.
Friday dinner pick
The Main Sights
Saturday is your main sightseeing day. Start early to beat the crowds at the top attractions, then take the afternoon at a slower pace.
Parc Beaumont
Free Dawn to duskA formal English-style garden with large lawns, a lake, and a bandstand. Popular for picnics and relaxed strolls.
Tip: Free public toilets near the bandstand and a café that does takeaway coffee for under €2.
Boulevard des Pyrénées
Free Always openA long, tree-lined promenade offering panoramic views of the Pyrenees. Runs parallel to the town centre and connects the Château to the Parc Beaumont.
Tip: Go at sunset for the best light on the mountains; benches are spaced along the walk if you want to sit.
Le Château de Pau
0 Closed Mondays, 9:30-12:00 andA medieval castle that was the birthplace of Henry IV. Houses a museum of French royal history and decorative arts.
Tip: The castle is free for EU residents under 26; otherwise it's €5.50. Go midweek to avoid queues.
Saturday dining
Before You Leave
Sunday morning, before checkout, is for the things you didn't fit in on Saturday — or a slower revisit of the place you liked most.
Sunday brunch
Getting Around Pau
Pau train station (Gare de Pau) → Hôtel Montpensier (centre ville)
Pau Pyrénées Airport (PUF) → Hôtel Montpensier (Campus stop)
Palais de Justice stop (10 mins walk from hotel) → Pau train station (Gare de Pau)
Pau Pyrénées Airport (PUF) → Hôtel Montpensier (15 Rue Montpensier)
Where to Stay for a Pau Weekend
For a short break, stay central — walking distance to the main sights saves hours across a 2-day itinerary.
Weekend in Pau — FAQ
Is a weekend enough to see Pau?
A weekend (2 full days) is enough to cover the highlights of Pau. You can see the main attractions, eat at a couple of good restaurants and get a real feel for the city — as long as you prioritise well. This guide is structured to help you do exactly that.
When is the best weekend to visit Pau?
See our full best time to visit Pau guide. For a weekend break, shoulder season (spring and autumn) typically offers the best balance of good weather, manageable crowds and reasonable hotel prices.
Where should I stay for a weekend in Pau?
For a short break, stay as central as possible — walking distance to the main sights saves significant time and lets you head out after dinner without worrying about transport. See the best hotels in Pau for rated options. TripSage's free briefings tell you the specific rooms to request at each property.
How do I get around Pau for a weekend?
The main transport options in Pau include TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Bus 30 (Idélis). For a short stay, walking and public transport are usually the most time-efficient combination — parking in most city centres adds cost and delays.