Current circuit status

Pau-Ville is not a permanent race facility. Barriers, grandstands and safety equipment are installed when the Grand Prix takes place, while the rest of the year the route forms part of Pau's normal road network.

• 2026: there is currently no automobile Grand Prix scheduled on the street circuit.
• Outside an event: you can walk or drive along many of the famous sections as ordinary city streets.
• Future events: plans for a possible return remain subject to confirmation.

Do not confuse Circuit de Pau-Ville with Circuit Pau-Arnos, which is a permanent race circuit around 20 km west of Pau.

Getting there by train

Train is the easiest option for most visitors because Pau station is effectively beside the circuit.

• From Paris: direct TGV services operate to Pau on selected journeys.
• From Bordeaux: direct regional and long-distance services are available.
• From Toulouse: Intercités and regional trains connect with Pau.
• On arrival: several parts of the historic circuit are within a few minutes' walk of the station.

The famous Gare hairpin is beside the railway area, making Pau one of the rare street circuits where arriving by train places you almost directly on the course.

Driving & parking

Driving into Pau is straightforward outside an event, but a future Grand Prix would involve extensive road closures around the city centre.

• From the A64: follow signs towards central Pau.
• Normal visits: use one of the city's public car parks and explore the route on foot.
• City parking: Pau has underground car parks including Clemenceau, Bosquet, Halles/République and Beaumont.
• Race weekends: avoid planning to park directly beside the circuit because normal streets and car parks may become inaccessible.

Pau also operates park-and-ride facilities, which can be useful when central streets are busy.

Flying in

Pau Pyrénées Airport (PUF) is the nearest airport and connects with central Pau by road and public transport.

• Line 17: connects the airport with Pau-Bosquet in roughly 30 minutes.
• Frequency: approximately hourly during its operating period.
• Taxi: the airport currently quotes approximately €35 to central Pau during daytime hours.
• Sunday: the airport bus does not normally operate on Sundays or French public holidays.

Because the circuit is central, you generally do not need to hire a car once you reach Pau.

Where to stay

Central Pau is the obvious base because hotels, restaurants, the railway station and the circuit are all close together.

• Boulevard des Pyrénées: convenient for the circuit and offers views towards the Pyrenees.
• City centre: best for restaurants, shops and walking access.
• Near Pau station: particularly convenient if arriving by train.
• Parc Beaumont: another useful area close to several famous sections of the track.

If the Grand Prix returns, accommodation overlooking or immediately beside the circuit is likely to book very early.

Understanding the circuit

Pau is one of Europe's classic city circuits, with racing taking place through narrow public streets rather than on a purpose-built track.

• Grand Prix circuit established: 1933.
• Length: approximately 2.760 km.
• Turns: 15.
• Character: narrow roads, elevation changes, barriers and very little run-off.
• Famous sections: Gare hairpin, Pont Oscar, Parc Beaumont and the Foch section.

The FIA has previously described Pau as a 2.760 km circuit located around 50 km north of the Pyrenees.

Visitor tips

• Check whether racing is actually scheduled: there is no Pau automobile Grand Prix in 2026.
• Explore on foot: outside race weekends, walking is the easiest way to recognise the historic corners.
• Start at Pau station: the Gare section provides an obvious starting point for following the route.
• Use public transport: there is little reason to bring a car if you are staying centrally.
• Expect steep sections: Pau's elevation changes are much more noticeable on foot than they appear on a circuit map.
• Do not navigate to Pau-Arnos: that is a completely different permanent circuit outside the city.

For a first visit, take the train to Pau and explore the historic route on foot. If automobile racing returns, the railway station should remain the most convenient way to reach the circuit while avoiding city-centre traffic restrictions.

Family-friendly highlights nearby

• Pau Funicular: Ride between the railway station and Boulevard des Pyrénées for an easy way to experience the circuit's dramatic change in elevation. The service is normally free, but check operating dates before visiting.
• Parc Beaumont: One of the city's main green spaces sits directly beside famous sections of the circuit and is ideal for a relaxed walk or family break.
• Château de Pau: Explore the castle and grounds associated with King Henri IV, with displays covering centuries of French and Navarrese history.

Culture & rainy-day winners

• Château de Pau: The city's landmark museum contains historic rooms, tapestries, furniture and collections connected with Henri IV.
• Musée des Beaux-Arts: See paintings from major French and European schools, including works by Degas, Rubens and El Greco.
• Historic Pau: Wander through the streets between the château, Place Royale and Boulevard des Pyrénées to see the city's mixture of medieval and Belle Époque architecture.

Eat & drink around Pau

• Les Halles de Pau: The central market is a useful place for local produce, cheese, charcuterie, bread and an informal meal.
• Try garbure: This hearty Béarnaise soup combines vegetables and beans with ingredients such as ham and duck.
• Look for poule au pot: The traditional chicken-and-vegetable dish is closely associated with Béarn and Henri IV.
• Try Jurançon wine: Vineyards begin just outside Pau and produce both dry and sweet white wines.

Get outdoors between race days

• Boulevard des Pyrénées: Follow the nearly 2 km promenade between the château and Parc Beaumont for sweeping views toward the Pyrenees on a clear day.
• Walk the circuit: When no motorsport event is being prepared, the course returns to ordinary city streets. You can explore sections such as the station, Pont Oscar, Lycée hairpin and Parc Beaumont on foot while respecting normal traffic.
• Bois de Bastard: Head north of central Pau for shaded woodland paths if you want a longer walk away from the city streets.

Mountain weather can change quickly, and views of the Pyrenees depend heavily on cloud conditions. A light waterproof layer is useful even on otherwise mild days.

Easy day trips if you're extending your stay

• Jurançon vineyards: The wine-growing hills begin only a few minutes from Pau, with estates offering cellar visits and tastings. Arrange a non-drinking driver if travelling between several vineyards.
• Ossau Valley: Head south into the Pyrenees for mountain villages, waterfalls, hiking routes and views toward the distinctive Pic du Midi d'Ossau.
• Lourdes: Around half an hour from Pau by road, the famous pilgrimage town makes an easy cultural day trip even for visitors without a religious interest.

Good to know before visiting

• This is a temporary street circuit: There is no permanent race-track complex to visit. Outside event periods, the course is made up of public roads, junctions and parkland.
• There is no automobile Grand Prix in 2026: Do not plan a trip expecting a race weekend this year. Check for announcements before booking specifically for motorsport.
• The layout is unusually steep: Walking a full lap involves considerably more climbing and descending than the short 2.760 km distance might suggest.
• Do not confuse it with Circuit Pau-Arnos: Pau-Arnos is a separate permanent racing circuit outside the city.
• If racing returns, expect road closures: Building a street circuit affects traffic, parking and pedestrian routes throughout this part of central Pau.