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As a dance, the pavane was often used by a single couple as a processional. In Thoinot Arbeau's French dance manual, it is generally an improvised dance, with the dancers throwing in ornamentation (divisions) of the steps. In the English Measure manuscripts, the pavane is one of several similar dances classed as measures, and is simple and choreographed. In Italian sources, the pavane is often a fairly complicated dance, with galliard and other sections.

The step used in the pavane survives to the modern day in the hesitation step sometimes used in weddings.

Modern musical compositions using the name:

• The Classical music piece "Pavane for a Dead Princess" by Maurice Ravel, 1899, with a self-consciously archaising mood.
• The Classical music piece "Pavane" by Gabriel Fauré
• Jazz standard "Pavane" by (?)Deodato

Pavane is also the name of an alternate history novel by Keith Roberts, in which a militant faction of the Roman Catholic Church has taken control of England following the assassination of Queen Elizabeth IElizabeth I ( September 7, 1533 March 24, 1603) was Queen of England and Queen of Ireland from November 17, 1558 until her death. Sometimes referred to as The Virgin Queen or Good Queen Bess Elizabeth I was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty,.