List 

Discover the Château de Pau, the old town, the Baumont park, the boulevard des Pyrénées, without forgetting to taste the gastronomy and wines of the region. If you prefer nature, Béarn is a real playground. For thrill seekers, we advise you to try the best spots for rafting in Pau. Generation Voyage has prepared its list for you. So follow the guide!

1. The Gave d’Oloron

2. The Gave de Pau

3. The Gave d’Ossau

4. The aquasport park

On vacation in the Pyrenees? Find out where to go rafting in Pau, to have thrills on Béarn waters!

In the heart of the Pyrenees, Pau is a city where life is good. And When you gets there, it’s easy to see why. Surrounded by mountains, the city preserves a beautiful historical heritage while maintaining a perfect harmony with its modernism.

Discover the Château de Pau, the old town, the Baumont park, the boulevard des Pyrénées, without forgetting to taste the gastronomy and wines of the region. If you prefer nature, Béarn is a real playground. For thrill seekers, we advise you to try the best spots for rafting in Pau. Generation Voyage has prepared its list for you. So follow the guide!

1. The Gave d’Oloron

Le Gave d’Oloron, a spot for rafting in Pau

Level: beginner to intermediate

Duration: between 2 hours to a day

Distance: between 7 to 23 kilometers

Route

The Gave D’Oloron is one of the best places to go rafting in Pau. There are several routes, to choose from according to your level and your availability:

Baptism: for beginners, this seven-kilometer course takes you to discover rafting and its obstacles. A few moments of relaxation await you between invigorating rapids;

Half-day: for a morning or an afternoon, take the rapids of this colorful Gave. Have a good time of fun between a few scares with your friends and / or your family;

Adventure: for the more experienced, head for Navarrenx on the Gave d’Oloron. With the many rapids waiting for you, thrills are guaranteed.

Useful information

The meeting takes place directly in the center. Then, you will take a bus with the instructor and your entourage, towards the Gave d’Oléron. Here is some information to know before setting off for a rafting session in Pau:

It is strongly recommended to know how to swim to embark on such an adventure;

Good physical conditions are preferable to be able to face the rapids;

The centers are open between March and October;

Complete rafting equipment is provided to you, namely a neoprene suit, helmet and life jacket;

You will need to bring your swimsuit, sneakers, a towel and a change of clothes.

2. The Gave de Pau

Gave de Pau, for rafting in Pau

Rafting descent of the Gave de Pau between Lourdes and Lestelle-Bétharram 4 hours

Beginner level

Duration: 2 hours

Distance: 13 kilometers

Route

On board your submersible inflatable boat, face the rapids of the Gave de Pau. Can accommodate up to eight people and the instructor, rafting promises you an exceptional day with your loved ones. Located between Lourdes and Lestelle Bétharram, the Gave de Pau makes you discover the flip flap wave, as well as the bridge of the caves.

These places are particularly famous, as they regularly host international rafting competitions.

Useful information

Bad weather or rain, these are not enough excuses to cancel a rafting session in Pau. The monitors who accompany you ensure your safety against mother nature. Rest assured ! Upstream, they check that the spot is passable so that everything goes as well as possible.

However, if the weather conditions are really unfavorable, the rafting session will be postponed. Apart from the weather, here are some conditions for rafting in Pau:

Be between 7 and 83 years old;

Be able to swim and immerse (you don’t have to be a strong swimmer, but at least move around in the water);

Not to be pregnant or cardiac.

3. The Gave d’Ossau

Gave d’Ossau

Rafting day on the Gave d’Ossau in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques – Sports course

€ 55

Level: intermediate to experienced

Duration: 4 hours

Distance: between 9 to 22 kilometers

Route

Your guide is waiting for you for a rafting session in Pau. The Gave d’Ossau is probably one of the most sporting spots in the region. The route stretches from Herrère and Oloron-Saint-Marie, where you will discover the Bager rapids.

If you and your group are thrill seekers, it is possible to add additional options to get the adrenaline pumping: then cross imposing bridges and dams. me sensitive refrain! If you are going for the full day, the picnic is scheduled to regain your strength before moving on to more rapids.

Useful information

The route from Herrère to Oloron-Saint-Marie is only available from April to the end of June. This period is the most exotic because of the melting ice. Here are the conditions for discovering rafting in Pau:

Be over 7 years old;

Know how to swim.

4. The aquasport park

Pau white water stadium

Rafting descent of the Gave de Pau between Lourdes and Lestelle-Bétharram 4 hours

€ 20

Rafting day on the Gave d’Ossau in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques – Sports course

€ 55

Duration: as you want

Distance: 5,000 m²

Route

If you’ve never done rafting, it might be better to start somewhere more supervised than in the middle of the river. For this, the Pau-Pyrénées white water stadium is the perfect place for an initiation. Here, you are at the foot of the mountains in an exceptional setting.

An artificial river awaits you to discover this activity. The park has equipment worthy of great professionals. With its 5,000 m² body of water, the stadium has different courses; an arrival basin, an initiation basin and a running water course with adjustable flow.

In addition to rafting, the park also offers many other activities, such as kayaking, hydrospeed, or surfing.

Useful information

The park is open year round. So this is the ideal plan if you want to go rafting in Pau when the other companies are closed. Also, be aware that the staff is trilingual and speaks French, English and Spanish.

Now that you have all of this information, all you have to do is paddle!