TOURISM

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

Saint Jean Pied de Port, the Gordian Knot of the 3 French routes, on the Way of St. James for centuries, welcome tens of thousands of pilgrims and hikers.

The 3 French routes are  are: – Via Turonensis or the Tours route – Via Lemonvicensis or the Vezelay route – Via Podiensis or the Puy en Velay route. The 4th path, the Arles path which joins the 3 previous paths at Puenta la Reina at the beginning of the Camino Frances.

Saint Jean Pied de Port is the the capital of Lower Navarre in the Nive Valley, a medieval town located in the Basque Country 10 minutes from the Spanish border and 40 minutes from Bayonne.

The town was created in the 12th century to welcome pilgrims in its hospital located next to the church and was transformed into a citadel by Vauban during the reign of Louis XIV in 1680 (one century after the creation of our gîte). The town is protected by ramparts.

The Saint Jacques gate allows you to enter the city and the Spanish gate opens on the Napoleon road allowing you to cross the Pyrenees and reach the first stage in Spain.