Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

The very picturesque village of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port was very busy when we arrived, with both tourists and Pilgrims. The town has traditionally been an important point on the Way of St. James, as it is the starting point of the Spanish Camino de Santiago de Compostela. It stands at the base of the Roncevaux Pass across the Pyrenees, the mountain pathway between France and Spain.

Pied-de-Port means “foot of the pass” in Pyrenean French. The Way of Saint James pilgrimage routes from Paris, Vézelay and Le Puy-en-Velay meet at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, and it was the pilgrims’ last stop before the arduous mountain crossing.

We spent about an hour of free time exploring the town and doing a bit of shopping.Les mer