Anywhere Campers Rental company category:Standard
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Anywhere Campers PauPauView map
Hiring a campervan in Pau means setting off facing the Pyrenees: from the Boulevard des Pyrénées, the whole range unfolds on a clear day, from the Pic du Midi d'Ossau to the Pic d'Anie. In less than an hour's drive, the Ossau and Aspe valleys lead to mountain passes, high lakes and the Spanish border, while the Jurançon hillsides and the bastide towns of Béarn fill the quieter days. Our partner company, Anywhere Campers, offers camper vans for two and family motorhomes sleeping up to six.
As the birthplace of Henry IV, Pau also makes for a relaxed first evening before heading into the mountains.
1 rental partner
Where to pick up your vehicle in Pau?
Observed prices
Rental prices observed in Pau
| Vehicle | Winter January | Spring April | Summer July | Autumn October |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campervan | from €349/day median €351/day | from €370/day median €373/day | from €416/day median €419/day | from €356/day median €359/day |
| Low-profile motorhome | from €360/day median €377/day | from €376/day median €392/day | from €428/day median €439/day | from €367/day median €379/day |
| Large motorhome | from €365/day median €369/day | from €382/day median €384/day | from €428/day median €430/day | from €373/day median €376/day |
Daily prices observed on October 22, 2026 for a 15-day rental: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included, 1 rental companies compared. 100% of offers with unlimited mileage. Median excess: €1,500.
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Pau
1 The Ossau valley and the Aubisque and Soulor passes
- Pau
- Laruns
- Gourette
- Col d'Aubisque
- Col du Soulor
- Argelès-Gazost
- Cauterets
- Pau
South of Pau, the Ossau valley climbs through Laruns, capital of sheep's cheese, to the ski resort of Gourette. The Col d'Aubisque road then runs along a ledge above the Cirque du Litor, reaches the Col du Soulor and descends towards Argelès-Gazost. Cauterets and the Pont d'Espagne waterfall, at the head of the valley, make a last stop before returning to Béarn along the Gave de Pau valley.
- Distance
- about 200 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or low-profile motorhome
2 Into Aragon over the Col du Pourtalet
- Pau
- Laruns
- Col du Pourtalet
- Sallent de Gállego
- Jaca
- San Juan de la Peña
- Canfranc
- Oloron-Sainte-Marie
- Pau
At the top of the Ossau valley, past Lake Fabrèges and the outline of the Pic du Midi d'Ossau, the Col du Pourtalet crosses into Aragon. Sallent de Gállego and the Tena valley lead to Jaca, with its citadel and Romanesque cathedral, then to the monastery of San Juan de la Peña, sheltered beneath its rock. The return trip passes the monumental Canfranc station and the Somport tunnel before heading down towards Oloron-Sainte-Marie.
- Distance
- about 300 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Camper van or low-profile motorhome
3 Jurançon, gaves and the bastide towns of Béarn
- Pau
- Jurançon
- Monein
- Navarrenx
- Sauveterre-de-Béarn
- Salies-de-Béarn
- Orthez
- Pau
West of Pau, the Jurançon hillsides and their terraced vineyards come before Monein and its large Gothic church. Navarrenx, a fortified bastide on the Way of St James, then Sauveterre-de-Béarn and its medieval bridge over the Gave d'Oloron lead to Salies-de-Béarn, a salt town with half-timbered houses. Orthez, its Pont-Vieux and the Moncade tower round off a loop of easy roads, with no mountain pass, that can be driven all year.
- Distance
- about 150 km
- Recommended vehicle
- All types of motorhomes
Weather and seasons
When to go in Pau?
Best time
July to September
July to September
highs 24 to 27 °C, lows 14 to 17 °C
The best time to leave from Pau: rainfall drops markedly, the high lakes and trails of the Ossau and Cauterets valleys are accessible, and evenings stay cool in the mountains. July and August draw hikers and cyclists onto the pass roads; September, quieter, still brings warm days and less crowded campsites.
April to June and October
April to June, October
highs 18 to 25 °C, lows 7 to 15 °C
The Béarn foothills are green and the waterfalls at their fullest, but showers are frequent, especially in May, and snow lingers at altitude in spring. It is the season for lowland loops, from Jurançon to the bastide towns; in October, the beech forests of the Ossau valley take on their autumn colours.
Winter
November to March
November to March
highs 11 to 15 °C, lows 2 to 6 °C
Winter stays mild in town but very wet, November being the rainiest month of the year. A heated motorhome keeps nights comfortable; the Béarn plains and the Basque coast, just over an hour's drive away, remain accessible when the mountains are under snow.
Climate in Pau, month by month
Most pleasant months: July to September.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 11 °C | 2 °C | 120 mm | 5 h/day |
| Feb | 14 °C | 3 °C | 89 mm | 7 h/day |
| Mar | 15 °C | 5 °C | 108 mm | 8 h/day |
| Apr | 18 °C | 7 °C | 108 mm | 9 h/day |
| May | 21 °C | 11 °C | 124 mm | 10 h/day |
| Jun | 25 °C | 15 °C | 106 mm | 10 h/day |
| Jul | 26 °C | 16 °C | 66 mm | 10 h/day |
| Aug | 27 °C | 17 °C | 75 mm | 10 h/day |
| Sep | 24 °C | 14 °C | 90 mm | 9 h/day |
| Oct | 21 °C | 11 °C | 103 mm | 8 h/day |
| Nov | 15 °C | 6 °C | 147 mm | 6 h/day |
| Dec | 13 °C | 4 °C | 130 mm | 5 h/day |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Visit the centre by funicular
The castle, the historic quarter and the Boulevard des Pyrénées are best explored on foot. Rather than looking for a space in the narrow streets of the centre, park the motorhome down below, near the railway station, and ride up on the free funicular linking the station to the boulevard. Underground car parks, with height limits, are not suitable for motorhomes.
Passes closed for part of the year
The Aubisque and Soulor road is closed by snow for much of the year, generally from late autumn to late spring; the Pourtalet, open for longer, can be cut off during snowfall. Check the departmental road conditions before setting off and plan a fallback route through the valleys.
A64 and A65 toll motorways
Pau is served by the A64, running to Bayonne in the west and Toulouse in the east, and by the A65 to Bordeaux through the Landes: both are tolled, the A65 being known as expensive. Towards the Pyrenean valleys, departmental roads are free but winding, and slower than they look on the map.
Sleep in the valleys, not in the park
In the core of the Pyrenees National Park, at the head of the Ossau and Cauterets valleys, sleeping in your vehicle outside designated places is not tolerated. Campsites and motorhome areas in the valleys, in Laruns or Argelès-Gazost for example, offer places to stop; check the rules in force, which vary from one municipality to another.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Pau
Where can I pick up a campervan in Pau?
In Pau, vehicles are offered by Anywhere Campers, our partner company, at its local depot. The meeting time is set at booking and the exact address is in your confirmation. If you arrive by train or plane, let the rental company know your arrival time so the vehicle handover can be arranged without waiting.
How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Pau?
The price depends on the season, the length of hire and the vehicle, from a van for two to a large over-cab motorhome. To find the exact price, run a search with your departure and return dates: the prices shown include mandatory fees and correspond to offers you can book straight away.
Which vehicles can I hire in Pau?
The offers found range from the Van for 2, a converted van for two people, to the Carado T 447 sleeping four and the Adria Matrix and Sunlight T 68 low-profile motorhomes, which sleep five. The Sunlight A70 over-cab model takes six travellers. Several models come with either a manual or an automatic gearbox: specify your choice when searching.
Can I drive to Spain with a campervan hired in Pau?
Aragon is only about an hour and a half's drive away, over the Col du Pourtalet or through the Somport tunnel. Crossing the border does, however, depend on the rental company's conditions and the insurance: check in the offer that Spain is covered before planning Jaca, Huesca or Ordesa National Park.
Can I return the vehicle in another city?
Biarritz, Toulouse and Bordeaux are also departure cities of our partners, making it possible to consider crossing the Pyrenees or returning via the Atlantic coast. A one-way trip is only possible if the rental company accepts it, and fees may apply: enter the return city in your search to see the offers that allow it.
Verified customer reviews
They rented in Pau with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
The two service providers made me pay for the insurance for the car. And when I request a refund for one of them, I no longer get a response. I will travel by motorhome again, but certainly not with CoolDrive, nor with my friends.
(anonymous)
France · Sep 2019
Avis Vérifiés
The two service providers charged me for insurance for the car. And when I request a refund for one, I no longer receive a response. I will travel again in a camper van but certainly not with CoolDrive, nor with my friends.
(anonymous)
France · Sep 2019
Avis Vérifiés
First rental of this type of vehicle in a professional context where the rental must take place from France to Canada. Many questions and Cooldrive (Marlène) has been a valuable support in guiding my choices. Efficiency and responsiveness beforehand, and on-site a vehicle and service that met our expectations. No complaints. Great!
Alain L.
Canada · Oct 2025
Avis Vérifiés
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Pau
What licence do I need to drive a motorhome in France?
A European category B licence allows you to drive motorhomes, campervans and converted vans up to 3.5 tonnes, the category that most rental vehicles fall into. With a licence issued outside the European Union, an international driving permit may be required. The minimum age and years of driving required by Anywhere Campers are shown in the offer conditions.
Do I need snow equipment to drive into the mountains in winter?
Yes: in the mountain municipalities of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, winter tyres or snow chains are required from 1 November to 31 March, under France's Mountain Law. This applies when driving up to Gourette, Artouste or La Pierre Saint-Martin. Ask the rental company whether the vehicle is equipped and check road conditions before setting off.
How do I get to the depot from Pau airport?
Pau-Pyrénées airport is in Uzein, north of the urban area, about twenty minutes from the centre by car: a taxi then takes you to the meeting point. Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées airport, further east, is another option. By train, Pau station lies at the foot of the Boulevard des Pyrénées.
Which vehicle is best for the mountain roads around Pau?
For the Aubisque or Pourtalet passes and ledge roads, a campervan or low-profile motorhome is easier to handle than a large over-cab model. An automatic gearbox makes hill starts simpler. On long descents, shift down and use engine braking to spare the brakes, which are put under heavy strain by the vehicle's weight.
When should I book a campervan in Pau?
For July and August, book several months ahead: with a single rental company in Pau, the number of vehicles is limited, and vans go first. In spring and autumn, a few weeks is often enough. Also think about the campsites in the Ossau and Cauterets valleys, which are often full at the height of summer.
About us
Why start a motorhome trip from Pau
Pau enjoys a rare position: a human-scale city, with a railway station and an airport, facing the Pyrenees and an hour from the first mountain passes. From here, the Ossau valley, the Aspe valley and the sights of Lavedan link up in short loops, and Spanish Aragon can be reached within the day. When the weather turns bad at altitude, the Béarn of the gaves, its bastide towns and the Jurançon vineyards offer an immediate fallback.
Anywhere Campers, our partner company on site, offers a range from vans for two to family motorhomes sleeping six. To go further, Biarritz, 98 km as the crow flies, and Toulouse, 150 km away, are also departure cities of our partners: ideal for a one-way crossing of the Pyrenees. The climate is most favourable from July to September, but the foothills can be explored all year round.