Places to be in Pau
The student neighbourhoods, the libraries to study in, where to go out in the evening, and how to live well on a budget.
Updated 2026-06-20
Knowing where to go makes a new city yours. Here are the student neighbourhoods of Pau, the best places to study for free, where people go out, and how to eat without breaking the budget.
Student neighbourhoods
Where students tend to live and hang out in Pau:
- Centre-ville (Halles, Hédas) - Cœur de vie étudiante avec bars, restaurants et salles culturelles.
- Pau Nord - Quartier qui abrite le campus universitaire, l'IUT et l'ESC Pau.
Free places to study
Libraries and study spaces open to students in Pau:
- Bibliothèques universitaires UPPA - Salles de travail en groupe et espaces d'étude regroupés dans le bâtiment principal du campus de Pau.
Going out in the evening
The areas students head to after dark:
- Le Foirail - Pôle culturel ouvert en 2022 : cinéma Le Méliès, concerts, jazz, théâtre et danse, salle de 580 places.
- L'Ampli - Scène de musiques actuelles (SMAC) à Billère, dans le complexe des Abattoirs (La Route du Son).
Eating well on a budget
CROUS university restaurants serve full meals at a subsidised student price (around 3.30 EUR, about 1 EUR for scholarship holders). Find every site and the menus on the official CROUS map.
Common questions
Where should an international student live in Pau?
Look first at CROUS residences (cheapest, apply early) and the student neighbourhoods listed above. Use Visale (a free state-backed guarantor) if a landlord asks for a guarantor and your family is abroad. See our guide on living in France for the full housing route.
Where can I study for free in Pau?
University libraries (BU) and the municipal libraries listed above are free and have long opening hours, especially in exam season. They are also a good place to meet other students.
Sources
- Agenda Pau Pyrénées Tourisme · 2026-06-20
- ESN Pau (UPPA)official · 2026-06-20
- Hestiv'Oc · 2026-06-20
- Le Foirail · 2026-06-20
- L'Ampli · 2026-06-20
- Bibliothèques universitaires UPPAofficial · 2026-06-20
- Idelis à la demande (soirée) · 2026-06-20
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