©Halles de Pau - Artisan|Pau Pyrénées Tourisme | PL

Les Halles Taste the good life

If you like to shop, talk, share and meet friends, there’s only one place to go: Les Halles. An integral part of the town’s landscape, their architecture, layout and atmosphere have given a new lease of life to the spirit of the market. A real meeting place, they are a must on Sunday mornings, but not only. They’re also the place to go for a quick lunch, a meeting or even an evening out… This is where the heart of Pau meets!

Getting there

©Magendie Halles De Pau Pays De Bearn Adrien Basse Cathalinat|Pays de Béarn - Adrien Basse-Cathalinat

A place to live! Espace

Eat local, organic and good food at Les Halles: charcuterie, cheese, wines… For a snack or a meal, it’s “the place to live”. Even more so as the weekend approaches.

On the last Friday evening of the month, music takes over the aisles.
At night-time, you can enjoy a seafood platter and a drink (always in moderation) in a festive atmosphere.
On Sunday mornings, after a stroll, the people of Palois enjoy a snack from one of the butchers, roast poulterers, cheese-makers or bakers.

On the floor

Freshness and local origin are at the heart of the market. The success of the Producers’ Floor is testament to this. From the farm straight to your basket, you’ll find all the best that Béarn has to offer: fresh vegetables, ewe’s milk cheeses, honey, eggs… Between stallholders with strong personalities, restaurateurs, small producers and market gardeners from the surrounding area, stock up on the region’s beautiful and good produce.

Make the andouille! It’s the must-try in our gastronomic pantheon: andouille béarnaise. A little tip: ask for a rather dry and spicy andouille, then sit on the terrace and enjoy with a glass of red or a dry white.

It's all good Duck or pig?

Every year at the Paris International Agricultural Show, records are broken. No fewer than a hundred medals are awarded to traditional products made in Béarn and the wider Pyrénées-Atlantiques region. This is hardly surprising, given that many family-run charcuterie establishments still work pigs the old-fashioned way to make pâtés, boudins, hams, dry sausages and other confits. You can easily find these products at Les Halles de Pau for an on-the-spot tasting!

You can also try your hand at a dried duck breast. In fact, as well as the famous foie gras, Béarn artisans (Biraben, Lauga, Laguilhon…) also work duck into confit, rillettes, gratons and other delicacies…

Eating on the go

Parking

In Pau, you don’t need a car, but bring a trolley or large basket! Leave your car at the parking underground Les Halles.

Jurancon

To discover Jurançon, enjoy a casse-croute caviste at Les Halles… A great way to start!

Gourmet pass

To take advantage of the best tastings, the best plan is the pass gourmand… Come and see us at the Tourist Office!

Agenda

Entertainment and concerts, evening events on the last Friday of the month, student evenings, Musiq’Halles, flea markets… Ask for the programme!

Les Halles reinvent themselves

In the 19th century, with the advent of holiday tourism, commercial life expanded. The market areas were no longer sufficient. In 1881, a new covered market was dedicated to early produce. Its bell tower became the district’s landmark. In 1919, food shops and the market were brought together in the Halle de la République, which burnt down in 1942. But it remained a success until it was rebuilt in 1970, anchoring it in the landscape. The Halles, as they are today, were renovated in 2018 and are more than just a lively market – they’re a real place to live!

Here, people live, laugh and share!

Cheeses, fine wines, charcuterie and small producers all come together to cultivate a certain art of living. It’s hard not to take a break in the evening, at lunchtime, in the morning or in the afternoon to savour the very special atmosphere of the place. Life sparkles, laughter and bursts of voices form a melody that’s a pleasure to return to. At Les Halles, you can feel the heart of Pau and Béarn beating, at the heart of flavours, smells and accents. It’s a great place to meet up and make the pleasure last, because there’s always something going on at Les Halles!

Great taste

Passage Carnot

Jurançon, foothills of the Pyrenees

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Le Foirail, cultural center

Passage Carnot

Major stadiums

©La Forge Moderne 08 Patrice Martins De Barros|Patrice Martins de Barros

The modern forge