Crossing Pau and Bizanos via the Château de Franqueville

Park in front of the Résidence d'Aspin near 14 Avenue du Stade Nautique, in Pau.

(S/E) Make your way to the residence’s balcony. Start by enjoying the view of Bizanos, the Jurançon hillsides and the Pyrenees, then return to 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 and head back up Avenue du Stade Nautique.

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

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

(3) At the steps, cross Boulevard des Pyrénées to turn around, then cross the bridge. Turn immediately left onto Allée Gérard de Nerval. Walk alongside Lycée Louis Barthou via Rue Léon Daran. Veer slightly right then continue along Rue Lamothe, cross Cours Bosquet to 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 under Rue Samonzet, Rue Serviez and Rue des Cordeliers. It leads to the Fontaine du Hédas.

(5) Cross the square opposite. Pass under Rue Bordenave d’Abère and then under the bridge at the fortified Corisandre gate. Walk around the Château de Pau via this sunken path.

(6) Continue along the Sentiers du Roy, alongside the Ruisseau de l'Ousse. Cross the gardens of the Hôtel du Département, passing at the foot of the funicular. Cross the roundabout, going 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) At the bridge, cross the avenue, then take the bridge to reach Avenue Léon Heid. As you leave 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 the Gave de Pau again.

(10) Take the steps to cross the river via the bridge. Continue straight on to Avenue Albert^1er. Cross the avenue and take the path on the left, which quickly turns right to climb up to Château de Franqueville. Continue in the same direction above the vineyards. At the exit, take the path on the right for 100 m.

(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, go down the small path on the far left. Follow the Arriou Merdé stream, 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 pass in front of the Stade Nautique and take the steps leading up to the Tours d'Aspin. You will reach the car park of 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: