There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Pau, Tarbes and Lourdes each year. The main ones are listed below.
January 1: New Year's Day (national holiday) April to October: Torchlight Procession (local event)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.
May 1: Labour Day (national holiday)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!
May 8: Victory Day (national holiday)Commemorates the Allied victory in Europe that ended World War II on this day in 1945. Various ceremonies are held around town.
June 21: Fête de la Musique (celebrated nationwide)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.
July 14: Bastille Day (national holiday)This holiday celebrates both the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, the key event marking the beginning of the French Revolution, and the end of the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and the aristocracy. The festivities include parades, concerts and fireworks displays.
August 15: Assumption Day (national holiday)This celebration is marked by the faithful with religious processions and ceremonies: mass offered in various languages (Chinese, French, Italian, etc.), a special torchlight Marian procession within the Grotto at Lourdes, etc.
Third weekend in September: European Heritage Days (celebrated nationwide)The aim of the European Heritage Days is to open up numerous sites and monuments, many of which are normally closed to the public. A great opportunity for a lovely stroll through the city to admire architectural treasures!
November 11: Remembrance Day (national holiday)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.
December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception in Lourdes (local event)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.
December 25: Christmas (national holiday) December 31: New Year's Eve (national event)On the night of December 31st, the atmosphere is particularly festive on the streets of Pau, Tarbes and Lourdes, with families and friends celebrating the new year.
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 | Not the best period to go |
May | 11/52 | 21/70 | 99/3.9 | Good period to go
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June | 14/57 | 24/75 | 77/3.0 | Good period to go
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July | 16/61 | 26/79 | 57/2.2 | Good period to go
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August | 16/61 | 26/79 | 68/2.7 | Good period to go
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September | 13/55 | 24/75 | 79/3.1 | Not the best 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 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.
Buses operated by IDELIS 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.
IDEcycle is Pau's public bike-sharing system, with some 200 bicycles available at the 20 stations distributed throughout the city. Rental fees are EUR 1 for 1 day and EUR 5 for 1 week.
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.
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 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.
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.
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. The first day of use is free of charge. For several consecutive days, the fee is EUR 1 per day and EUR 5 for 1 week.
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.
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.
Upon your arrival in Pau, Tarbes or Lourdes, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organize your stay.
Office de Tourisme Pau PyrénéesOffers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
The official website maintained by Atout France, the French tourism development agency, provides a wealth of information on Pau, Tarbes and Lourdes.
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.
VaccinationsThere are no vaccination requirements for visitors to France. For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:
There are no specific food safety risks. French government authorities promote good hygiene practices and put in place strengthened control procedures for sites especially frequented by tourists during the summer months.
WaterTap water is safe to drink in Pau, Tarbes and Lourdes.
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:
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: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en
Contact information for the embassies and consulates of your country is accessible in the directory of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/
Here are a few basic French phrases that will make your stay in Pau, Tarbes or Lourdes a little easier:
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: Bonjour (morning)
Thank you very much: Merci beaucoup
I don't understand: Je ne comprends pas
Could you repeat ?: Pouvez-vous répéter ?
What time is it ?: Quelle heure est-il ?
Sorry: Pardon
Excuse me: Excusez-moi
I'm looking for (…): Je recherche (…)
How much is (…)?: Quel est le prix de (…) ?
Do you have (…)?: Avez-vous (…) ?
Where can I find (…)?: Où puis-je trouver (…) ?
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.