Two Weeks in Pau

In mid-September after a busy week back at the chateau, we decided to head down south to Pau, France (pronounced sort of like “Po,” except not because every time we said “Po” we got crazy French looks, but when they said it to us I swear it sounded exactly like “Po” so wth, who knows).  I say “we” decided, but really it was all Paul.  I didn”t even know Pau existed, so I certainly didn”t think we should book a place and make it our home for two weeks.  But, I”m always game for travel and especially like it when someone else has done all the legwork, so when he suggested it, I happily packed my bags and away we went.

I told y”all this girl can travel.

Pau is a city in southwest France bordering the Pyrenees Mountains.  It”s a lovely view from up top of the city along the Boulevard des Pyrenees.  Every day we would walk along the street and stare out at the mountains in the distance.  

Pau is a city divided into two parts: upper and lower.  The best (or at least most fun) way to go between the two parts is by taking the funicular (or funny-car, as Nora has taken to calling funiculars).

We rented a cute little apartment situated in the heart of the upper part of the city.  The upper city is definitely where the action is at, perched on a cliff overlooking the mountains, you will find tons of shopping.  In fact, I would say the majority of the main part of the city is shopping, shopping, and more shopping.  Of course there are plenty of restaurants and a few pubs and bars sprinkled in.  Although do not get your hopes up for late night partying, Pau is a sleepy little town and things shut down pretty early – which, to be honest, so do we.

We rented an apartment perfectly situated in town.  We were able to pop out and walk anywhere we wanted (which was generally to the nearby Monoprix for groceries).  The only downside was being on the 4th floor (if your American, 3rd floor if you”re French – it”s weird).  I was hopeful that after 14 days of up and down all those flights of stairs, I”d come out with a J-Lo booty.  Spoiler alert, didn”t happen.  But, bright side, our apartment had my favorite view so far.  

So many stairs.

Our street

Our view

The view out of our living room window was exactly what I had pictured when imagining where we would live in France and what it would be like to stare out our imaginary apartment window.  I spent quite a bit of time in Pau staring out the window and listening to those church bells, which randomly rang every day at 11:43 a.m.  No idea why.  But every day we would hear the first chime and Paul would yell out “it”s 11:43,” as if that meant something.

Daily activity.  *Note: no J-Lo booty.

Night view.  In heaven.

And a shot of us in front of said castle. Is it possible to get numb to castles? Pau

Impossible to get numb to these snuggles.

So what did we do in Pau? Well for one, we settled into a bit of normal life.  There was a small office nook, so Paul would do work in the mornings and Nora and would do school for an hour or so before heading out the explore a bit. And, by explore a bit, you know what I mean…

PAU PLAYGROUNDS:

Nora sniffed out this city playground literally within the first 10 minutes of us being in town and it became a daily staple in our routine.

Aire de Jeux du Hedas – This particular park was right in the middle of city, or at least right in the middle of our part of the city.  I could actually almost see it from our window.  I wish I had a better photo, but the equipment was all shaped like little insects (Nora is climbing the spider above). Wait, are spiders insects?  I feel like I might have got that one wrong.  Anyway, this spot became our early morning go-to.  

Toboggans du Hedas – These slides became our every single day, sometimes twice a day afternoon spot.  To this day if I ask Nora her favorite place we”ve visited, she immediately says, “Pau because of the slides.”  I”m telling you, she could not get enough of the slides.  During our two week stay, we visited these slides no less than 15 times.  Nora would make me slide, Paul slide, and even her favorite stuffies, Pooh, chickey, and Mr. Whiskers, slide.  She even called her grandparents and nanny on Facetime to make them slide too.  5 stars from Nora.

Parc Beaumont – We actually hit up this park within the first few hours of arriving two.  For those keeping track, yes, that”s two parks before we”d even unpacked.  What can I say?  It”s how we roll.  

Playground at Parc Beaumont

And yet another playground.  This one was a little further out, but still walkable from the center city.

And for Nora”s favorite of them all (even more than the slides) – Positive Jump and Challenge Trampoline Park.  We actually spent back-to-back Saturdays here.  Nora was so absolutely in love with the trampoline side on the first Saturday we were in town that she asked to go back and try the ninja side the next week.  We had a great time as a family bouncing (mom even busted out some of her old gymnastics skills) and pretending to be ninja warriors.  Nora is still asking if we can go back to Pau to celebrate her birthday at this trampoline park.