Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (Donibane Garazi)
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port ('Saint John at the foot of the mountain pass') is the traditional starting point for pilgrims walking the Camino Francés. It has evolved so historically, having three main routes (from Paris, Vézelay and Le Puy-en-Velay) meet at Ostabat, 20 kilometres to the northeast, before starting to cross the Pyrenees here.
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is linked to Bayonne (and thus to Paris) by railway. If you are coming from the other side of the Pyrenees, you can take a bus from Pamplona/Iruña.
Credencials can be obtained at the pilgrims' office on Rue de la Citadelle.
There are two routes from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Orreaga/Roncesvalles. Just after leaving Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, you will come to a fork. The Route Napoléon (left) via Honto is only open from April until October, and it might be still closed down within that part of year if the weather makes it dangerous. In poor weather and for the rest of the year, you must make your way towards Luzaide/Valcarlos (right).
Where to stay in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (Donibane Garazi)
Refuge Accueil Paroissial Kaserna
Gîte Bidean
Gîte de la Porte Saint Jacques
Gîte Beilari
Gîte La Vita È Bella
Gîte Le Lièvre et la Tortue
L'Auberge du Pèlerin
Ospitalia Refuge Municipal
Gîte Le Chemin vers l'Étoile
Gîte Zuharpeta
Gîte Izaxulo
Gîte Compostella
