Funiculaire de Pau, Funicular railway in central Pau, France
The Funiculaire de Pau is a funicular railway that connects the station in the lower valley with the historic upper town over a distance of 103 meters (340 feet). Two metal cabins move slowly up and down the 30-degree slope, with each cabin counterbalancing the other as they travel in opposite directions.
The funicular opened in 1907 and began passenger service in 1908 to transport train travelers from the lower station to hotels and lodgings in the upper town. The system was built during a period when Pau was developing as an upscale travel destination and needed better connections between different city levels.
The funicular serves as a vital link between the lower railway district and the historic upper town where locals and visitors move between neighborhoods. People use it as everyday transport, making it a natural part of how the city connects its different levels.
The funicular typically operates on weekdays and Saturdays from early morning until evening, while Sunday service starts in the early afternoon. During busy times of day, waiting times can be longer, so arriving during off-peak hours makes for a smoother experience.
The system operates on a counterweight principle where the descending upper cabin generates the power to pull the ascending lower cabin uphill. This clever mechanical design from the 19th century remains highly efficient and requires minimal external energy to function.
Location: Pau
Inception: 1908
Official opening: 1907
Address: 64000 Pau, France
Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 06:45-21:40; Sunday 13:30-20:50
Website: https://pau.fr/article/le-funiculaire
GPS coordinates: 43.29313,-0.37075
Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:48
Funiculars have transported passengers up mountains and hills in cities worldwide for over a century. This collection covers 25 installations across five continents, from the Como-Brunate railway in Lombardy to the Fløibanen in Bergen, Norway. Some handle substantial elevation changes, such as the Niesenbahn in Switzerland with 710 meters (2,329 feet) of vertical ascent, while others cover shorter distances through urban neighborhoods like the Bica funicular in Lisbon or the ascensores in Valparaiso. The systems range from heritage operations like the Great Orme Tramway in Wales, opened in 1902, to modern installations such as the Stanserhorn CabriO in Switzerland with its double-decker open-top design. Several serve primarily as tourist attractions, including the Peak Tram in Hong Kong and the Montmartre funicular in Paris, while others remain essential transport links for residents and visitors, such as the Wellington Cable Car in New Zealand and the Heidelberger Bergbahn in Germany. Each offers access to viewpoints, historic districts or mountain facilities that would otherwise require lengthy walks or drives.
Pau, the historic capital of Béarn, preserves notable traces of its royal past. The 14th-century castle, birthplace of Henry IV, overlooks the city and stands as the centerpiece of the local heritage. The Boulevard des Pyrénées offers views of the mountain range and connects several landmarks. The city maintains several museums, including the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Musée Bernadotte, housed in the French marshal's birthplace. Religious buildings such as the Saint-Martin and Saint-Jacques churches, along with the historic Parlement de Navarre, document urban development over the centuries. The funicular railway, opened in 1908, links the upper town with the railway station district. Pau also features sports and recreational facilities including the racecourse, the Circuit Pau Arnos, and the national stud farm in the adjacent commune of Gelos. Parc Beaumont and the Forêt de Bastard provide green spaces within the city limits. In Lescar, a few miles away, a medieval settlement maintains its own historical character.
Château de Pau
387 m
Palais Beaumont
718 m
Église Saint-Martin de Pau
249 m
Parliament of Navarre and Béarn
305 m
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Pau
718 m
Église Saint-Jacques de Pau
542 m
Hôtel de Gassion
238 m
Les Halles
721 m
Pavillon des Arts de Pau
24 m
Hôtel de ville de Pau
168 m
Musée Bernadotte
482 m
Temple protestant de Pau
498 m
Horizons Palois
132 m
Hôtel de Peyré
352 m
Chapelle Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague de Pau
535 m
Hôtel Bourdier de Beauregard
242 m
Hôtel de Bayard
178 m
Office de Tourisme
164 m
Le Tour des Géants
222 m
Boulevard des Pyrénées
236 m
Musée national du château de Pau
426 m
Bernadotte Museum
489 m
Salut noble Béarn
597 m
The Spring
373 m
Monument aux morts de Pau
164 m
Chapelle du château de Pau
389 m
Pont de Pau
566 m
Chapelle de la Persévérance
247 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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