Le Foirail Living culture

Since its opening in 2022, the Foirail has become Pau’s cultural hub. This former livestock market has been completely refurbished, and now houses a cultural space where art lovers will find everything they need. Within its walls resound the voices of cinema, jazz, classical music, theater and dance. Like the neighboring Halles, it’s a place where people come to share and enjoy the best that the capital of Béarn has to offer.

Getting there

A showcase for the arts

The Foirail is a feast for the eyes and ears! In a vast hall, people come to listen, see and applaud musicians, dancers and actors… The stage has been designed to comfortably accommodate the artists for whose art it is a veritable showcase. TheOrchestre de Pau Pays de Béarn, conducted by Fayçal Karoui, and the international Jazz à Pau season have made no mistake, setting down their instruments here. They rub shoulders with the dance company Espaces Pluriels (scène conventionnée d’intérêt national) which, like the Théâtre à Pau actors, will appreciate the generous size and facilities of the stage.

Agenda

Art and experimental

For 32 years, the independent association Le Mélies has been rolling out its reels to the delight of film buffs. It welcomes them to the Foirail in its three brand-new theaters (80, 120 and 300 seats) to the glory of art-house cinema. It’s a cinema that lives up to the expectations of Palais audiences, whose enthusiasm for the big screen continues to grow year after year.

This building only exists because of its surroundings. It’s a village meeting place where plane trees have been planted to create a square that resembles the squares of Provence, so that people can dance under the garlands!

François Bayrou, Mayor of Pau

Sitting on a bench with you...

A hub of cultural exchange, the Foirail is wide open to the outside world. Its reception area is bathed in light and opens onto the square. A perfect place to meet before the show, but also an invitation to take a break. Benches offer walkers and visitors a welcome rest in the shade of 47 trees. A space that also invites you to enjoy evenings of music and open-air shows…

Tickets

The full Foirail program is available from the Tourist Office. Book your tickets online.

Car

In Pau, you don’t need a car. Park easily nearby or in one of our park-and-ride facilities!

When it rains

What could be better than going to the cinema when it’s raining, or having a coffee while you check the program?

Agenda

Concerts, shows, parties… The entire Foirail program at a glance!

Under the rotunda An architectural feat

The Foirail has retained its original concrete dome, a true architectural feat: 7 cm of concrete covering 1,000 m² with no posts to obstruct the view. Today, it’s a space dedicated to performing arts and culture, with exceptional acoustic quality.

Key figures: