The Basque coast is renowned for its excellent surf beaches and hosts many international competitions.  Pau is also well located for skiing with resorts like Gourette, Artouste, La Pierre Saint Martin and Cauterets just an hour or so away.  The Béarn-Basque region also has numerous golf courses and the first 18 hole course in Europe was created in Pau by the English in the 19th century.  Potholing, trekking, climbing and kayaking activities are also within easy reach.

Pau is a centre for culture and sport and the Zenith concert hall is host to many concerts of national and international renown.  For sport, the Pau-Orthez basketball team plays at the Palais des Sports and Pau has an excellent national first division rugby team.  Pau also has a recently renovated national horse racecourse with regular meetings from December to March.  For motor-racing, Pau is host to the Grand Prix Automobile in May and is often an arrival or departure stage for the famous cycling event “Le Tour de France”.