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Old houses beside the River Nive in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

For thousands of pilgrims every year, this walled Basque town is where the walk to Santiago de Compostela begins.

Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • DepartmentPyrénées-Atlantiques
  • From Bayonne~1 h 15 by train
  • Best forCamino, Basque culture
  • Stay1–2 nights

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port ('at the foot of the pass') is the old capital of Basse-Navarre, in the French Basque Country. Its cobbled Rue de la Citadelle runs between pink sandstone houses from the Porte Saint-Jacques down to the River Nive, where an old bridge frames one of the prettiest views in the Basque Country.

The Camino

Pilgrims collect their credential at the pilgrim office on Rue de la Citadelle before setting off on the Camino Francés. The first stage, over the Route Napoléon to Roncesvalles in Spain, is about 25 km with a climb of over 1,200 metres, one of the toughest days of the whole route.

In town

  • Climb to the Citadel for views over the town and valleys.
  • Browse the Monday market for Basque cheese, ham and gâteau basque.
  • Watch a game of pelota at the fronton.

Around Saint-Jean

The Irouléguy vineyards, on steep terraces nearby, make the Basque Country's own wines. Further afield, explore the forest of Iraty, the village of Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry and, towards the coast, La Rhune and Espelette.

Getting there

Trains run from Bayonne to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in about 1 h 15. Biarritz airport is about an hour by car.

Stay near Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

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Top sights near Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

Roncesvalles
Navarre

Roncesvalles

The historic pilgrim stop below the Pyrenean pass where Roland fell.

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La Rhune
Basque Country

La Rhune

A vintage rack railway to a Basque summit with views over the Atlantic and the Pyrenees.

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Combine with

Camino de Santiago
Summer

Camino de Santiago

Cross the Pyrenees on foot like pilgrims since the Middle Ages, from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port or the Somport pass.

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Biarritz & the Basque Coast
Beyond the Pyrenees

Biarritz & the Basque Coast

Surf beaches, Belle Époque Biarritz, Bayonne's ham and the harbour of Saint-Jean-de-Luz.

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San Sebastián
Beyond the Pyrenees

San Sebastián

La Concha beach and the world's best pintxos bars, a short hop from the western Pyrenees.

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Header photo: Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0

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