Crossing Pau and Bizanos via the Château de Franqueville

Park in front of the Résidence d’Aspin near number 14, Avenue du Stade Nautique, in Pau.
(S/E) Make your way to the residence’s balcony. Start by taking in the view of Bizanos, the Jurançon hillsides and the Pyrenees, then head back towards Avenue du Stade Nautique by turning right, towards Sainte-Ursule. Before the barrier, take the small path on the right for a public walkway through private gardens. Retrace your steps, then head back up Avenue du Stade Nautique.

(1) Visit the Jardin de Kofu, a tiny Japanese garden, then cross the avenue of sequoias in Square Besson and head towards Avenue Trespoey.

(2) Turn left, then immediately left onto Avenue San Carlos to reach Parc Beaumont. Walk through Parc Beaumont to reach the bridge and the start of Boulevard des Pyrénées.

(3) At the steps, cross Boulevard des Pyrénées to turn round, then cross the bridge. Turn immediately left onto Allée Gérard de Nerval. Walk alongside the Lycée Louis Barthou along Rue Léon Daran. Veer slightly to the right, then continue along Rue Lamothe, cross Cours Bosquet and take Rue Jean Monnet to Place d’Espagne.

(4) Go down the steps on the left to reach the Ravin du Hédas. Rue du Hédas runs beneath Rue Samonzet, Rue Serviez and Rue des Cordeliers. It ends at the Fontaine du Hédas.

(5) Cross the square opposite. Pass under Rue Bordenave d’Abère, then under the bridge at the fortified Corisandre Gate. Walk round the Château de Pau along this sunken path.

(6) Continue along the Sentiers du Roy, alongside the Ruisseau de l’Ousse. Cross the gardens of the Hôtel du Département and pass by the foot of the funicular. Cross the roundabout and go round the Au Fin Gourmet restaurant on the left.

(7) Walk past the signs recounting the history of the Tour de France over the years. Continue along Avenue Gaston Lacoste.

(8) When you reach the bridge, cross the avenue, then take the bridge to join Avenue Léon Heid. As you come off the bridge, immediately take the path on the left to follow a branch of the Gave de Pau.

(9) Go round the Stade d’Eaux Vives Pau Béarn Pyrénées on the right. Cross the bridge over the Gave de Pau, then take the path immediately on the left. This path runs alongside the Ruisseau des Bouries and then back along the Gave de Pau.

(10) Take the steps to cross the Gave via the bridge. Carry on straight ahead until you reach Avenue Albert^1er. Cross the avenue and take the path on the left, which quickly turns right to climb up to the Château de Franqueville. Continue in the same direction above the vineyards. At the end, take the path on the right for 100 metres.

(11) Take the path on the left. It zigzags to join Impasse de la Fontaine. Turn right at this junction onto Rue du Maréchal Foch.

(12) At the Pascalin-Lardoudère bridge, head down the small path on the far left. Walk alongside the Arriou Merdé, then cross it to take Rue du Mai 1945.

(13) Go down the steps to take the street on the right, then cross the Ruisseau de l’Ousse. Turn immediately left onto Rue de Lourdes, then right again onto Avenue de Beaumont. Continue along Avenue Emile Guinot.

(14) Turn right to walk past the Stade Nautique and take the steps leading up towards the Tours d’Aspin. Return to the car park at the Résidence d’Aspin (S/E).

This walk partly follows a route suggested by the Tête de pioches association:

by Bizanos Randonnée Patrimoine:

and by Pau Tourisme Pyrénées: