Top 10 Culinary Specialties in Pau

The city of Pau located in southwestern France is a lovely little corner of paradise for outdoor activities. But did you also know that it's a flagship region for gourmet food tasting? Well yes! There are plenty of typically French specialties that were born in this peaceful little town, far from the incessant hustle and bustle of the city. Are you already quivering with impatience? So are we! In the city of Pau, it's mainly cheese that is honored, but not only...We're taking you on a culinary journey to (re)discover these dishes that are so emblematic of our sweet France.

What to eat in Pau?

1. Foie Gras

Well yes! Foie gras originates from northwestern France and is highly appreciated in Pau. At the same time, this is no secret to anyone. This is a refined delicacy often enjoyed during holiday meals, during which everyone agrees that it's succulent. Made from duck breeding and fattening, foie gras can be eaten on fresh bread, and leaves a sweet and savory flavor in the mouth.

2. Ossau-Iraty

We previously talked about cheese in Pau. Well, we present to you Ossau-Iraty, a little cloud of creamy sweetness that will make your taste buds quiver. This French cheese, pressed with uncooked paste, is made from raw sheep's milk (which is known to offer one of the most exquisite beverages). You'll find it everywhere in the city of Pau, so much so that this recipe is passed down from generation to generation.

3. Duck Breast and Duck Confit

We talked about foie gras a bit earlier, we couldn't skip duck breast and duck confit! Confit comes from a very ancient way of preservation, and it's always a pleasure to eat it! We recommend tasting it with some pan-fried potatoes (they go very well with duck), fries, or with a small green salad. Watch out, you might want a second plate!

4. Béarnaise Sauce

Pau is the capital of Béarn, and Béarn means Béarnaise sauce! You certainly know this sauce if you're a good meat lover: it's made with a little sweet butter, shallot, an egg yolk, and some aromatics. It's THE star sauce that is found in almost all the dishes of the inhabitants of the city of Pau, and we understand why. One bite, and you're in heaven.

5. Poule Au Pot

This specialty of Béarn is also a cult dish of Pau. It's actually a pot-au-feu cooked in broth with some vegetables to accompany everything. It's a royal dish since it has its roots in the era of King Henry IV, a native of the city of Pau. It was his majesty's favorite dish, and it's also the main meal that inhabitants consumed during great periods of famine.

6. Bayonne Ham

Yes, red meat! And this one is easily recognizable thanks to its flaming red color that pierces our soul and makes our stomach rumble with desire. Bayonne ham is a melt-in-your-mouth delicacy. In the city of Pau, merchants generally like to cut it into thin slices, which accentuates the delicate and refined side. A little salty, it's the kind of meat that goes perfectly with any type of accompaniment: in soup, with rice, vegetables, a salad...Yum, we're already salivating!

7. Trinxat

But what is this? Trinxat (such a particular name), is actually a dish with its origins in the mountains, and later quickly defined itself as a culinary specialty of Pau. It's a mashed potato, bacon, and cabbage mixed with pieces of smoked breast. Everyone will agree to tell you that it's a delight, especially in winter, when the cold sets in and our poor bodies and stomachs need a hot dish to lift our spirits.

8. Garbure

Here's a cabbage stew that looks appetizing, don't you think? It's the kind of perfect dish to savor in the evening after spending the day visiting the city. Garbure is a balanced dish, cooked with pieces of vegetables of your choice, it varies from one house to another: but generally we always find cabbage, white beans, potatoes, goose confit, and ham cut finely into dice. This cabbage soup is a real delight for all those who taste it, and we're sure you won't break the rule!

9. Roasted Pigeon

The palombe is a pigeon whose meat is particularly tender, and highly appreciated in Pau. We also use the heart and liver to make a dish high in flavor, which leaves both a sweet and salty note in the mouth. Served with some vegetables or slices of potatoes sautéed in duck fat, roasted pigeon is among the most consumed dishes in northwestern France, and that all visitors appreciate.

10. Spit Cake

Here's a cake like no other! The Spit Cake is very common throughout the Béarn region, it's an ancestral pastry, with an aftertaste of vanilla and rum. The fresh butter used for preparation tends to gently tickle our palate, and we like to eat it with a good cup of hot coffee, or tea. The atypical shape of the cake attracts the curious, who are always delighted to be able to eat it, so delicious it is.