Life in Pau, Pyrerenees

1POSTS

6 years ago

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone has moved to Pau in France and what their thoughts on life there are?

My partner and myself are considering moving to France and were wondering about Pau as a potential option. We currently live in the UK and would like to move to France, in a mid-sized city where life is more affordable and Pau seems appealing. We are planning to visit in the summer to get an idea.

So far reading from other forum threads about Pau I seem to see a bit of everything: it鈥檚 boring, too quiet etc that kind of thing and other testimonials mention the opposite... I suppose part of the experience is also down to how you integrate in local community?

Looking forward to hearing from others

1 member reacted to this post

See also

Study in France - Guide
Life insurance companies in France - Business
Expats in Pau? - 17 Replies
Expat Life in Narbonne area - 7 Replies
Surprising aspects of life in major French cities (testimonials) - 1 Reply
Moving to a village near Pau - 12 Replies
Neighborhood in Pau - 1 Reply

MrsFrench Member

12POSTS

6 years ago

Hi
We recently relocated to Pau from Cape Town South Africa. My husband is from PAU and I am Zimbabwean.
I also have found that people have so many mixed feelings about PAU. The older generation seem to love settling here and then there is us who seem to want a bit of pace. We are a couple in our 30s and 40s.

I personally find Pau to be too slow, but again I love my peace and quiet especially after a long day.
I think for children this is a lovely place to raise them, my 9yo did say she prefers Pau to Cape Town. We also have visited Toulouse and Bordeaux and my children again mentioned they prefer Pau. So I guess I lost the bet on this one.

Anyway besides the speed, which I find myself craving for馃槉, people here are friendly (obviously not 100%). I find the men know what "honour ladies" actually means, people greet each other, give way to each other and are more respectful.

Also there is so much outdoors activities around and I love that too about a city. I am not much of a planner so waking up and deciding we are going to the mountains or we are going to Spain now, has been a dream come true for me.

So out of 10 I would give Pau 8, obviously I still reserve the 2 for my big city life craving lol.

But all in all I love this city however I realised there are not many options for English speaking jobs, so if you are like me and need to get a job I suggest learning your French ASAP.

All the best with the move.

1 member reacted to this post

Dennis McCuistion Member

15POSTS

6 years ago

As to life in Pau, I have visited there both of the last two years. Spent two months there last summer, and I've met so many wonderful and interesting people. There is an active group of English speakers, the oldest golf club on the Continent, beautiful views of the Pyrenees, good weather, etc. I'll be there from May 16 to the end of June this summer and will be actively looking for a place to call home as I live in Texas at present. Strongly recommend this place.聽 Dennis McCuistion

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MrsFrench Member

12POSTS

6 years ago

@Dennis, If you need assistance from an estate agent to find a place to buy you can contact my husband who is very fluent in English. you can find his FB page named Leggett Immobilier Pau Bearn, there you will find all his contact details.

1 member reacted to this post

Janette1962 New member

3POSTS

6 years ago

Hi Everyone,聽 my husband and I currently live in Grenoble France, the French Alps.聽 And are considering the Pau area for relocation.聽 @Dennis we raised our daughters in Dallas, Texas.聽 And my husband is a golfer. We considering Pau because we want a smaller, quieter city.聽 Grenoble鈥檚 crime rates trouble me.聽 We hope to make a trip to see the area for six weeks in August.聽 @Mrs. French what towns outside of Pau would you say are聽鈥渉igher end鈥�.聽 I want a nice scenic view, we are spoiled in Grenoble, our mountains are spectacular.

MrsFrench Member

12POSTS

6 years ago

Hi Janette
I really like Juran莽on, Serres Morlaas. I also like Nay although I wasnt there long enough to see the whole place.
My husband is an estate agent should you need further advise and his a Poloise, I will inbox you his email on request.

2 members reacted to this post

Janette1962 New member

3POSTS

6 years ago

Thank you for your kind reply.聽 It鈥檚 too early to work with a realtor.聽 Just trying to get a feel for the area. I did find your husband鈥檚 Facebook page.

1 member reacted to this post

Dennis McCuistion Member

15POSTS

6 years ago

Hi Mrs French,
Ah, I thought I would be there in May...alas, this darn virus has interrupted my plans. Having said that, yes, please send me your husband's information. Hope to see you in the near future.聽 Dennis

Dennis McCuistion Member

15POSTS

6 years ago

Hi Janette,

MrsFrench had good suggestions. You won't get views like Grenoble, but try to find a panoramic view of the Pyrenees probably from a village north of Pau. The view is my number one consideration in a place to live there. I have spent my life in and around Dallas and am living in Plano for now. I sold my place on Lake Texoma in November. Hope to meet you and yours in August...

Dennis

1 member reacted to this post

MrsFrench Member

12POSTS

6 years ago

#10

Only a pleasure Janette. Alll the best

ladivo779 Guest

0POSTS

6 years ago

#11

I've never lived in Pau but I did live in Biarritz for many years, which isn't all that far away. I am not suggesting living in Biarritz because it is an expensive place and that includes all the towns and villages in the region all the way down to Spain including Bayonne which I love.

However, I do have friends that are from Pau so visited there quite often and the really great thing about it are the views and the access to the ski slopes in the Pyrenees as well as those in Andorra, that is, if you enjoy skiing. We always considered the ski slopes of the Pyrenees as being shorter but more technical than those in the Alps.

It's also an easy drive to many beautiful places in the region, and you can also easily visit Les Landes and the Pays Basque and places across the border such as San Sebastian in Spain for Tapas or for sightseeing as it is just a two hour drive away from Pau.

So I give a definite thumbs up to living in the Pyrenees-Atlantiques, although I myself would prefer somewhere a little further west. Pau, while not perhaps the most exciting place around is certainly well located for exploring the southwest of France.

1 member reacted to this post

BCAZ New member

5POSTS

3 years ago

#12

Hi to all of you above from 2020. Reading your posts was enjoyable and enlightening.

My wife and I, mid-60s, are expatriating next year (2023) to France. After several trips we have narrowed down to Narbonne, Lisle sur la Sorgue, Pau, and the Dordogne area of Bergerac and south of Bergerac. So hard to decide!

If any of you can offer a 鈥渃omparative鈥� opinion of any of the above mentioned places, I鈥檇 sure be interested in that!

Can鈥檛 wait to escape Arizona and get started on the best time of our lives鈥�..

Cheers

Robert Uomini Contributor

132POSTS

3 years ago

#13

First thing to do is get your long-stay visa (titre de sejour), otherwise you'll have to return to the US every 90 days. You apply at the French consulate nearest you in Arizona. Then three moths after you've been living in France, you'll probably want to apply for a carte medicale that entitles you to free or almost-free health care and medications.

Now you'll need to think about how you're going to pass the French driving test. Arizona isn't one of the 13 states that have reciprocal driving privileges with France, and unless you're bilingual and French is one of your languages, you will have a tough time passing the written and driving tests. I guarantee it, having gone through the ordeal myself and I'm a fluent speaker. I eventually passed, and, like all people who pass the tests, I now need to display a sticker on the back of our car showing a big red letter "A" (apprenti, or beginner) for three years and which limits my driving speed down to 110 km/hr from 130. My advice to you, and something I would have done had I known better: temporarily move to one of the states that have reciprocal driving privileges with France, get your driver's licenses there and only then make your move to France.

My French girlfriend and I have been living in a lovely medieval village, Lisle-sur-Tarn, since November 2021 and we love it here. We've made friends with a couple of neighbors (I talk about this and many other things in my Facebook blog, ) but I've found the best way to meet people, especially if you live in a small village like ours, is by joining activities held at the local centre culturel.

Sorry I don't have specific information about the towns you mentioned, but if you have any logistical questions, I'll be happy to answer them.

Regards,

Bob

2 members reacted to this post

BCAZ New member

5POSTS

3 years ago

#14

@Robert Uomini

Thanks very much, Bob!

Yes, we have thoroughly researched all aspects of moving to France, and are aware of those issues. We have a nephew living in Texas, which does have that reciprocal DL relationship, and are figuring out getting a DL some way while staying with him.

But your comments are appreciated! If you think of anything more, we are all ears!

Regards

vincentdoucelemathoscope New member

3POSTS

3 years ago

#15

Hello

the post is old but i answer anyway

i was born聽 in Pau, and have made my high school there, and since 2 years i teach maths in Pau Uni

the center is charming ; the nature and little villages around, and the possibility to explore moutains is fabulous

what you can find negative there as in most french cities is cars, cars, cars in some place of the city

but i find the mentality nice, and for the french way of life鈥� it can be ideal

dont hesitate ask me questions if you wish to live in Pau, France :-)

2 members reacted to this post

Yoginee ViP

3414POSTS

3 years ago

#16

Hello vincentdoucelemathoscope,

Welcome to expat.com!

Thank you for your wonderful insights that will surely benefit BCAZ.

If you have more information, do not hesitate to share them on this discussion.

Cheers,

Yoginee

大咖福利影院 team

BCAZ New member

5POSTS

3 years ago

#17

Thanks!!!

dangarciausa New member

8POSTS

3 years ago

#18

@MrsFrench聽 Thank you for such a nice reply.

Boona Member

1POSTS

3 years ago

#19

Hi We are also considering a move to the Pau area from England. Mainly want a rural location to live but within travel distance to international school or a good school that will support young son learning French as smoothly as possible. I have read that it is a rainy place though? Can anyone share their experience of the climate? Being English I'm keen to escape more rainy places!

vincentdoucelemathoscope New member

3POSTS

3 years ago

#20

well the proverb says : if you can see the Pyrenees, it's going to rain ; if you can't see them, it is actually raining

but for me no, very good climate, sunny, a bit wet during the winter maybe

you have very nice places around Pau

i wish you a good installation !

Vadim Daskal Member

1POSTS

3 years ago

#21

@MrsFrench Actually , I am travelling to Pau this May for a few days just to take a first look at this city. We are strongly considering to retire in PAU, so finding an appropriate residence is a task for us.

Thank you,

V.Daskal

MegMar Member

1POSTS

3 years ago

#22

@MrsFrench Hi Mrs French I am also from Cape Town well I see you are from Zimbabe. My husband studied in Pau and my daughter is 10.

It would be great to meet you. We moved here 6 months ago.

Megan

1 member reacted to this post

Cherisse Member

1POSTS

2 years ago

#23

@MegMar hello we are planning on moving to Pau also, it would be great to make some friends beforehand in Pau, I am originally from the Caribbean.

Please inbox me!!

MrsFrench Member

12POSTS

2 years ago

#24

@Vadim Daskal hello apologies I did not get a notification for your message. Are you looking for a rental or to buy? My husband offers the service to expats to help you settle in Pau including admin, translations (not sworn), etc. You can email him on lazbasseterre@gmail.com his name is Olivier.

MrsFrench Member

12POSTS

2 years ago

#25

@MegMar Hello lovely to hear someone from cape town is in the area. We lived in cape town for over a decade before moving to France. I will inbox you

josievella70 Member

2POSTS

2 years ago

#26

Hi everyone

We're from Malta and also considering moving to the Bearn area. At the moment we're looking at properties in the region, but one of my main concerns is my son's education. Does anyone here have young kids still going to school? I was looking at the International School of Bearn... anyone has any feedback to share?

Thanks

jos

SimCityAT Expert

13713POSTS

7 months ago

#27

@BCAZ
I too was thinking of lovely Narbonne, until I learned that the largest open air nuclear wast processing plant in Europe is located there, resulting in an elevated incidence of fatal lung cancer! There is a Youtube video on this subject that I came across and quickly changed to the lovely city of Perpignan. - @Hanvenwey22

The largest nuclear waste processing plant in Europe is the Sellafield site in the UK, a sprawling 6 km虏 facility that handles both nuclear power generation waste and weapons programs. Although some sources highlight the large scale of other sites like the La Hague reprocessing plant in France or the underground storage of Cigeo in France, Sellafield is described as the largest and most diverse nuclear site in Europe. It's essential to note that "open air" is not a typical way to describe the processing of nuclear waste, which is conducted in controlled indoor environments for safety reasons.