Historic hotels · Pau
Historic Hotels in Pau Near the Château
Pau is the town where Henri IV was born in 1553, in the Château de Pau that still overlooks the Gave river, and where his tortoise-shell cradle is kept today. In the 19th century the town became a winter resort for British visitors, who left behind villas, the Palais Beaumont and one of the oldest golf clubs on the continent. The Boulevard des Pyrénées links the château to the Palais Beaumont along a terrace facing the mountain chain, and a free funicular climbs to it from the station. The hotels on this page are in the historic centre, in an 18th-century house or older buildings, and I explain below which to choose.
Pau is a quiet, elegant town at the foot of the Pyrenees, proud of Henri IV and of its Béarn identity. Its 19th-century villas and palaces recall the British winter visitors, and the Boulevard des Pyrénées remains its daily promenade. The Pyrenean valleys and the vineyards of Jurançon are a short drive away.
Updated October 13, 2026
From Henri IV to the British winters
A historic stay in Pau puts the château, the old Hédas quarter and the Boulevard des Pyrénées within walking distance. The centre is compact, and the walk from the château to the Palais Beaumont along the boulevard takes about a quarter of an hour, with the Pyrenees in view on clear days. Several hotels listed for Pau are modern buildings, practical but outside the subject of this page, and I point them out.
Hotel De Gramont is the address I would pick for the oldest walls. It is an 18th-century hotel in the historic centre, a short walk from the Château de Pau, with classic air-conditioned rooms, a lift and a billiards and games room, and it welcomes pets. From there, the château with its Renaissance courtyard and the rooms dedicated to Henri IV is a few minutes on foot, and the lanes of the Hédas, the old ravine quarter below the castle, lead down towards the Gave. It is a practical base for a short stay centred on the town's royal history.
Hôtel Bristol Pau, rated 9.3 by guests, is housed in a historic building near the Palais Beaumont, with a sun terrace, a garden, a restaurant serving French cuisine and a bar. It sits at the other end of the Boulevard des Pyrénées from the château, so both ends of the walk are easy to reach. Fasthotel Pau-Centre Hotel Adour is also housed in a historic building in the centre, with family rooms, ground-floor units, a terrace and outdoor seating. I would choose the Bristol for a calm stay near the parks and the Adour for a simpler budget.
The Palais Beaumont and the villas around it recall the decades when Pau welcomed British winter visitors, drawn by the mild climate and the mountain views. They founded the Pau Golf Club in 1856, one of the oldest on the European continent, and built the town's English churches and parks. The Parc Beaumont, behind the palace, is a pleasant walk between the hotels of the centre. Hôtel du Palois Pau Centre Bosquet, about 500 metres from the château, has rooms with classic decor, a fitness room and a sauna, in the centre of town.
A word of honesty about the other hotels listed for Pau. Ibis Pau Centre is a modern 3-star hotel about 700 metres from the château, convenient but not a historic building. Mercure Pau Palais des Sports, renovated in 2019 next to the Palais des Sports and the Zénith, has an outdoor pool, a gym and free parking, and is closer to the airport than to the old town. Both are practical with a car, but for a historic setting I would choose Hotel De Gramont, Hôtel Bristol Pau or Hotel Adour.
A traveler's take
For a historic stay in Pau, I would book Hotel De Gramont: it is an 18th-century house in the historic centre, a short walk from the Château de Pau where Henri IV was born. My advice is to visit the château in the morning, then walk the Boulevard des Pyrénées to the Palais Beaumont, ideally on a clear day when the mountain chain stands out on the horizon.
Historic hotels
6 stays in Pau
Historic hotelsPau
Hôtel Bristol Pau
Historic hotel with a garden, restaurant, and mountain views in Pau
Why guests love itI would choose Hôtel Bristol for a stay in Pau with some atmosphere. The hotel occupies a historic building near the Palais Beaumont, and some rooms have mountain views. It has a sun terrace, a garden, a restaurant serving French cuisine and a bar. Rooms are air-conditioned, with private bathrooms, work desks and free Wi-Fi, and a varied breakfast is served.
Historic hotelsPau
Hôtel du Palois Pau Centre Bosquet ex Quality
City centre hotel with fitness room, sauna, and secure parking
Why guests love itThe Château de Pau is only 500 metres from the Hôtel du Palois Pau Centre Bosquet, which I see as a fine walk for families visiting the birthplace of Henri IV. Rooms are soundproofed with classic decor, a real help for children's sleep in the city centre, and Wi-Fi is free. Secure parking on site is useful when arriving by car with luggage, and parents can use the fitness room and sauna. Pets are welcome too.
Historic hotelsPau
Mercure Pau Palais des Sports
Modern comfort next to sports venues with a pool and healthy dining
Why guests love itI would book the Mercure Pau Palais des Sports for a family coming to Pau for a match at the Palais des Sports or a show at the Zénith, both right next door. The outdoor swimming pool is a good reward for children after the event, and free parking makes arrival simple. The hotel was renovated in 2019 and has a gym. Its restaurant serves healthy, seasonal cuisine, and the airport is easy to reach.
Historic hotelsPau
Fasthotel Pau-Centre HOTEL ADOUR
Historic hotel in Pau with comfortable rooms and outdoor spaces
Why guests love itI would book the Fasthotel Pau-Centre Hôtel Adour for a family on a budget that still wants some character, since it occupies a historic building in Pau. Family rooms and ground-floor units are available, handy with pushchairs or young children. Rooms are soundproofed with private bathrooms, minibars and free WiFi. A terrace, a balcony and outdoor seating add space, a minimarket helps with snacks, and Palais Beaumont is nearby.
Historic hotelsPau
Hotel De Gramont
Historic 18th-century hotel near Pau Castle with a billiards room
Why guests love itAn 18th-century building in Pau's historic centre, Hotel De Gramont lets families walk to the Château de Pau in a few minutes, and I would mention the billiards and games room as a welcome extra for older children on a rainy evening. Rooms are classic and air-conditioned with private bathrooms, and an elevator helps with luggage and pushchairs. A buffet breakfast is served, Wi-Fi is free, and pets are welcome.
Historic hotelsPau
Ibis Pau Centre
Modern comfort in Pau city centre, near the historic castle
Why guests love itI would book the Ibis Pau Centre for a family that wants to visit Pau Castle, the birthplace of Henri IV, on foot, since it is 700 metres from the hotel. Rooms are air-conditioned with free WiFi, which helps in the warm months of southwest France. A daily buffet breakfast with fresh pastries and local specialities sets everyone up for the day, and an early breakfast option suits families heading to the Pyrenees.
Pau
Local tips
- 1Visit the Château de Pau to see the rooms of Henri IV and the tortoise-shell cradle kept there.
- 2Walk the Boulevard des Pyrénées on a clear day, when the mountain chain is visible along the whole terrace.
- 3Take the free funicular from the station up to the Boulevard des Pyrénées instead of climbing on foot.
- 4Explore the Hédas quarter, the old lanes in the ravine below the castle.
- 5Stroll in the Parc Beaumont behind the Palais Beaumont, a reminder of the British winter resort.
- 6Plan a half-day in the Jurançon vineyards, a short drive south of Pau.
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Frequently asked questions
Historic hotels · Pau
Hotel De Gramont, an 18th-century hotel in the historic centre, is a short walk from the château. Hôtel du Palois Pau Centre Bosquet is about 500 metres away. From both, the Boulevard des Pyrénées and the Hédas quarter are within a few minutes on foot.