FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Pau

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Pau, Tarbes and Lourdes each year. The main ones are listed below.

Among the most important in France, the Biarnés carnival is an opportunity for concerts, musical animations, Béarnais meals, local-producers markets, folk dances, fireworks and parades through the streets of Pau. The highlight is the torching of Sent Pançard, the carnival king, on place de Verdun.

Every evening between April and October, the very popular Torchlight Procession takes place at 9:00 p.m. It begins near the Grotto and ends on the square of the Notre-Dame du Rosaire Basilica. A statue of the Virgin is always carried by the group of pilgrims at the head of the procession.

On the first of May, it is customary to offer a sprig of lily-of-the-valley to close ones. Many vendors occupy the pavement on that occasion!

Commemorates the Allied victory in Europe that ended World War II on this day in 1945. Various ceremonies are held around town.

Also celebrated internationally as World Music Day, for this festival many free concerts featuring all types of music are held in the streets and at various venues in all three cities late into the night.

This holiday celebrates the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, the key event marking the beginning of the French Revolution. It plays as a symbol of the end of the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and the aristocracy. The festivities include parades, concerts and fireworks displays.

This celebration is marked by the faithful with religious processions and ceremonies in Lourdes: mass offered in various languages (Chinese, French, Italian, etc.), a special torchlight Marian procession within the Grotto at Lourdes, etc.

The aim of the European Heritage Days is to open up numerous sites and monuments, many of which are normally closed to the public, such as castles and private collections. A great opportunity for a lovely stroll through the city to admire architectural treasures!

On this day, French citizens gather at war memorials to commemorate the signing of the 1918 Armistice officially bringing an end to the First World War.

This feast day, cherished by all pilgrims, celebrates the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. It gives rise to moments of deep recollection and prayer at all of the city's holy places.

On the night of December 31^st, the atmosphere is particularly festive on the streets of Pau, Tarbes and Lourdes, with families and friends celebrating the new year.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Pau

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	2/36	11/52	94/3.7	Not the best period to go
February	2/36	12/54	83/3.3	Not the best period to go
March	5/41	15/59	85/3.3	Not the best period to go
April	7/45	17/63	112/4.4	Good period to go
May	11/52	21/70	99/3.9	Good period to go
June	14/57	24/75	77/3.0	Good period to go
July	16/61	26/79	57/2.2	Good period to go
August	16/61	26/79	68/2.7	Good period to go
September	13/55	24/75	79/3.1	Good period to go
October	10/50	20/68	100/3.9	Not the best period to go
November	5/41	14/57	116/4.6	Not the best period to go
December	3/37	11/52	98/3.9	Not the best period to go

Pau, Tarbes and Lourdes International Airports

Pau-Pyrénées International Airport

• One terminal

• By car
  • Accessible via the D716 and the D834. From Tarbes and Lourdes, the airport can be reached via the A64 (exit 10).
  • There are two parking facilities at the airport (P1 and P2), suitable for both short- and long-term parking (EUR 2.90 for up to 90 minutes, and EUR 15.50 for 1 day).
  • Several car rental companies have counters in the arrivals hall.
• By bus
  • Bus line 10 connects the airport with central Pau every hour from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The trip takes about 30 minutes and the fare is EUR 1 each way (EUR 1.30 when paid directly to the driver).
• By taxi
  • Taxis are available at the ranks just outside the airport. The trip to the city centre takes about 15 minutes and costs around EUR 30 (daytime fare; EUR 35 at night or on Sunday). The daytime taxi fare to Tarbes or Lourdes is about EUR 90 (EUR 125 at night or on Sunday).

• Services: shops, bars and restaurants, valet parking and free Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +33 (0)5 59 33 33 00
• Website: https://www.pau.aeroport.fr/passenger/

• One terminal

• By car
  • The airport is accessible from Tarbes via the A64 and from Lourdes via the N21.
  • Free parking lot with a capacity of 750 spaces, intended for both short- and long-term parking.
  • Several car rental companies have counters in the arrivals hall.
• By bus
  • Bus 2 (Maligne des Gaves) connects the airport with both Tarbes and Lourdes about every hour and the fare is EUR 2 each way (EUR 1 for children under 12).
• By taxi
  • Taxis are available at the ranks outside the terminal. The trip to Tarbes or Lourdes takes about 15 minutes and costs around EUR 25, EUR 35 at night.

• Services: shops, bars and restaurants, valet parking and free Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +33 (0)5 62 32 92 22
• Website: https://www.tlp.aeroport.fr/en

GETTING AROUND Pau

Pau has a well-functioning public transport system. Apart from an efficient network of bus routes covering the entire metropolitan area, Pau also runs a free shuttle bus service connecting points within the city centre as well as a public bike-sharing system.

Tarbes is a medium-sized city with convenient and efficient public transport options. Bicycling is an excellent way to discover the city's history and architecture, thanks to the many cycling paths.

Lourdes is easy to visit on foot, but it also has a public transport system serving the entire city and its surrounding area.

Pau by bus

Buses operated by IDELIS (https://www.idelis.fr/) serve the entire city and its surrounding area. A single ticket costs EUR 1.30 when bought onboard the bus. A 10-ride card is available for EUR 10.00.

Pau by bicycle

IDEcycle is Pau's public bike-sharing system, with some 160 bicycles available at the 16 stations distributed throughout the city. Rental fees are EUR 1 for 1 day and EUR 5 for 1 week. When using the service, there is no extra charge for trips less than two hours.

For further information, visit the IDEcycle office on Place d'Espagne, which is open Monday to Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Pau by taxi

Distances between points of interest in Pau are relatively short. Nevertheless, taxis can be a convenient option for getting around at night. A short trip in the city centre costs around EUR 10.

Tarbes by bus

Tarbes has a sizable network of municipal bus routes serving the entire metropolitan area, which operate every day except Sunday. A single ticket costs EUR 1.00 and a 10-ride card is available for EUR 8.90. For further information, please visit the https://www.alezan-bus.com/ website.

Tarbes by shuttle bus

A free shuttle bus operates on a route within the centre of Tarbes every day except Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 7:20 p.m. A free market shuttle operates on Thursday mornings.

Tarbes by bicycle

Bicycles are a convenient and cost-effective way to get around Tarbes. The city offers some 15 kilometres (9 miles) of cycling paths as well as a public bike-sharing system by way of the MOB 65 Association. The fee is EUR 1 per day and EUR 5 for 1 week.

• Bicycle rental station: 31 rue Georges Lassalle, 65000 Tarbes

Lourdes by bus

Five bus routes criss-cross the city's various districts 7 days a week. A single ticket costs EUR 1.20 and a book of 10 tickets is available for EUR 10.00. For further information, please visit the https://moncitybus.com/ website.

Lourdes by taxi

Taxis are an option to bear in mind when you need to get around late at night. A ride in the city centre costs between EUR 10 and EUR 15.

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Pau, Tarbes or Lourdes, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.

Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).

• Address: Place Royale, 64000 Pau
• Telephone: +33 (0)5 59 27 27 08
• Website: https://www.pau-pyrenees.com/

Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).

• Address: 3 cours Gambetta, 65000 Tarbes
• Telephone: +33 (0)5 62 51 30 31
• Website: www.tarbes-tourisme.fr/en

Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).

• Address: Place Peyramale, 65100 Lourdes
• Telephone: +33 (0)5 62 42 77 40
• Website: https://en.lourdes-infotourisme.com/

Medical information

In order to travel in the best conditions and for your health and safety, we invite you to check all information regarding preventive measures and best practices to be respected, available on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus

Your comfort, well-being and health are at the heart of Air France's concerns, and we want to help you prepare for your trip in the best way possible. Find out more about the measures taken to ensure safe travelling on our website: https://www.airfrance.fr/FR/en/common/page_flottante/information/coronavirus.htm#notre-engagement-sanitaire

See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. The cities of Pau, Tarbes and Lourdes count several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.

There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to France. For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:

• Address: 38 quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris
• Website: https://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr/
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment:
  • online (click here)
  • call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

Tap water is safe to drink in Pau, Tarbes and Lourdes.

Administrative formalities

Entry requirements for France

As a general rule, a visa is required to enter France. Foreign nationals in the two categories listed below are not required to carry a visa for stays of 90 days or less:

• Citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or the Swiss Confederation
• Citizens or nationals of some foreign countries.

For stays of more than 90 days, a long-stay visa is required.

Travellers from all other countries must be in possession of a visa, regardless of the length of their stay. Visa applications must be submitted to the nearest French Embassy or French Consulate in the country of permanent residence well in advance of departure.

For further information, visit the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/requesting-a-visa/

Useful addresses

Directory of foreign embassies and consulates in France

Contact information for the embassies and consulates of your country is accessible in the directory of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Pau, Tarbes and Lourdes, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.

Essential phrases

Good to know

+33

+ phone number (without 0)

-1 : 00
of time difference with
Athens

Start of daylight saving time: last Sunday in March
End of daylight saving time: last Sunday in October

BANKS

Usually open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (some branches stay open until 6 p.m.)

GOVERNMENT OFFICES

Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

230 V / 50 Hz

Tipping
In Pau, Tarbes and Lourdes like elsewhere in France, a service charge is always included in the bill. If you are particularly pleased with the service, you may certainly leave a few extra euros on the table. But this additional tip is neither expected nor necessary.