Take Time To Visit SJPP

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is a picturesque French village in the Basque Pyrenees. For most pilgrims it is where they start their 500 mile Camino to Santiago de Compostela. As lovely a village as SJPP is, don’t arrive late in the day and then start walking the next morning. For several reasons, Saint Jean deserves a day of your time. First, as was my experience, having traveled for the better part of 24 hours to get here, I was exhausted! This is a great spot to recover from your travel fatigue. Second, as your first day/stage on the Camino Francés is the most demanding one of the entire trip whether you choose the Napoleon or Valcarlos Route, start out a bit more, rather than less, refreshed. Third, SJPP will most likely be bustling with activity and pilgrims. Take the time to stroll the old narrow streets, visit the Pilgrim’s Office for your credencial, and shop for any last minute essentials for your trek. The village is full of eateries and an ideal place to start meeting pilgrims whom you’ll see a number of times along The Way.