The real estate market in Pau is not experiencing the crisis. The reason given by real estate agents: relatively low prices compared to Bordeaux and Toulouse, the nearest large cities.
In the capital of Béarn, it is possible to buy a family apartment with three bedrooms for less than 300,000 euros, and prices are less than 3,000 euros per square meter compared to more than 4,000 euros in Bordeaux and 3,500 euros in Toulouse. “Some buyers come from these metropolises, but our buyers are also locals, or even foreigners, like Americans, Irish”says Emile Schmitt, real estate advisor at Era Immobilier.
Prefecture of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Pau (80,000 inhabitants) is located an hour’s drive from the Basque coast and close to the Pyrenean ski resorts. Another advantage: the city benefits from spectacular views of the Pyrenees. “The real estate market also benefited from the “prime minister effect”, who put Pau in the spotlight »adds Pierre Conchez, head of the Orpi agency in Pau. François Bayrou, mayor of the city since 2014, was prime minister from December 2024 to September 2025. Finally, the job market is also dynamic, with the presence of large companies, such as Total and Safran, and industries linked to Lacq gas, which supports demand.
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