What to do in Pau this summer? Highlights of the programming

Festive commemorations

Among the key events, it is worth checking the date of Sunday, July 14. The national holiday will indeed be punctuated by several sequences including the traditional military parade on Place Clemenceau (at 7 p.m.), then dance demonstrations by the MJC (at 8:30 p.m.) at Square Aragon and the screening of the Euro football final, regardless of the poster (at 9 p.m.), in front of the War Memorial on Boulevard du Midi. A popular ball will also brighten up this evening on Place Royale, without forgetting the traditional fireworks display at 11 p.m. and visible from Boulevard des Pyrénées.

Thursday August 25 also promises to be a memorable day with the celebrations of the 80^e anniversary of the Liberation of Pau. After a morning of collections on the various commemoration sites of the Agglo, the City is planning a parade of old vehicles which will converge towards Beaumont Park where visitors will enjoy exhibitions, shows, as well as a popular ball. The day will end with a screening of “La grande vadrouille” at 9:30 p.m. at the Théâtre de Verdrouille.

Sporting moments

For the 75^e Pau will host the Tour de France on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 July. The royal city will host the arrival of the 13^e stage. Coming from Morlaàs, the peloton will arrive at Place de Verdun where a 700-seat grandstand and a giant screen will be installed. The next day, cycling enthusiasts will be able to enjoy themselves at the start of the 14^e Pau Saint-Lary stage at the Tissié stadium. Fans of the little queen will be treated to a foretaste with the 16^e Tour of the Pyrenean Piedmont which will end in Pau, at the Beaumont Palace, on Sunday July 7 (2:30 p.m.).

Still in the high-level sports section, handball fans will have the opportunity to get excited about Tuesday July 4 and Thursday July 6. The French and Norwegian teams, the cream of women’s handball, will play two friendly matches at the Palais des Sports in order to prepare for the Olympic Games. Training sessions will also be open to the public.

And to close the sporting sequence, it is worth noting the spectacular rugby sevens tournament, the “In Extenso Supersevens”, at the Hameau stadium on Saturday August 31.

Music, dancing… and roller disco

An event that has become an unmissable event, the Summer in Pau festival will delight the public at the Théâtre de Verdure with 10 evenings of free concerts scheduled from Thursday July 18 to Saturday August 3. The trio LEJ (Victoire de la musique in 2017), Nuit incolore, the singers Féfé and Bertrand Belin are the headliners of this 43^e editing.

For lovers of classical music, you should not miss La Traviata (by Verdi), performed as part of the Pierres Lyriques festival, which will take place in the courtyard of the castle on Friday August 9 (at 9 p.m.).

The editorial team advises you

Festivals that will make you want to dance… that’s good, the town hall is renewing the “dance your city” system which offers dance initiations, followed by balls, every Thursday on Place Clemenceau (from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.). Salsa, bachata, kizomna, tango, rock, traditional or Tahitian dance… there will be something for everyone thanks to the participation of the city’s dance associations.

And for the more daring on the dance floor, the City is testing a new concept this year with an afternoon and evening of roller disco, on Saturday August 17 (4 p.m. to midnight). During this event, entitled “Martine patine”, more than 300 pairs of roller skates will be made available to participants who will have the opportunity to skate on Place Clemenceau to the sound of disco and house music.

Activities for families

The City is renewing the Pau’s relaxation system from July 15 to August 9. From Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., an entertainment space is set up in a different neighborhood each week. On the menu: games, sports sessions, cultural and creative activities…

At the same time, the Domaine de Sers will be open from July 6 to August 30, where free outdoor activities will be offered from Monday to Friday in the late afternoon. The public will have the choice between discovering the educational gardens, picnics, concerts, walks or sports activities (tai chi, ping-pong, fitness, archery, etc.).

The editorial team advises you

The 8th^e The upcoming edition of the street arts festival, “Un air de vacances,” held from August 9 to 11, should also be suitable for families. Crazy acts, juggling, street theater, and strolls will liven up the streets of the city center for three days.

But also heritage

On the heritage side, the tourist office offers historical and thematic tours of the royal city (Pau Art Deco, medieval Pau, the saga of Henri IV, street art, etc.) but also to cross the threshold of places that are usually not very open to the public (villas or private mansions). Walks on the theme of gastronomy or wine are part of the range of proposals. Also worth noting is the murder party, a sort of giant Cluedo, offered on Fridays August 2 and 16 at the Saint-Louis theater.

Find the entire program on pau.fr and in a paper guide “It’s Pau in summer!” »

Open-air cinema

In partnership with the Méliès cinema, the City is organizing the 14th edition of the “A Summer at the Cinema” festival from July 5 to August 30. A large screen will be deployed in the gardens so that the public can enjoy free outdoor sessions in nine different locations. The festival plans 19 screenings in varied styles with an Olympic theme (The Williams Method, Invictus, Billy Elliot, Point Break, Battle of Sexes), animated films (The Pharaoh, the Savage and the Princess, Super Mario Bros, and Suzume), as well as aqua-cinemas (Les Crevettes Pailletées, and Élémentaires). Without forgetting hugely successful films like Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Oppenheimer or Anatomy of a Fall which will close the festival.