Stage 1: Saint Jean Pied de Port - Roncesvalles
The first day of the French Way is a challenging but rewarding walk from St Jean Pied de Port in France to Roncesvalles in Spain. The route crosses the Pyrenees mountains that divide France and Spain, making it an impressive and varied journey.
St Jean Pied de Port is a beautiful town surrounded by walls and mountains, a place where the different variants of the Way of St. James in the south of France, such as the Lepuy, Arles or Piedmont routes, meet.
Leaving St Jean Pied de Port, the paved road winds slowly through the valley. Once past the Auberge d'Orisson, where you can stop to rest, the slope begins to level out a bit and the route continues on a grassy path that climbs up the hills before descending steeply to Roncesvalles.
Hiking through the Pyrenees can be unpredictable due to the weather. However, people used to hill walking or hiking will not encounter a particularly difficult route, as the slopes are not as severe and the steepest part of the hike is on a quiet road.
| Hostel | Address | Place | Telephone | Property | Management | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albergue Accueil Pelerin | Rue de la Citadelle, 55 | Saint Jean Pied de Port (Francia) | 0033 559 370 509 | Municipal | Asociación de Amigos del Camino de Santiago de los Pirineos Atlánticos | Asociación de Amigos del Camino de Santiago de los Pirineos Atlánticos |
| Albergue Beilari | 40, rue de la Citadella | Saint Jean Pied de Port (Francia) | 00 33 559 37 24 68 (Llamada desde España) | Private | Private | Joxelu, Jakline y familia |
| Albergue Ferme Ithurburia | Honto (St Michel) | Honto (Francia) | +33 (0)5 59 37 11 17 | Private | Private | Jeanne Ourthiague |
| Albergue de peregrinos de Roncesvalles | Real Colegiata de Roncesvalles | Roncesvalles (Navarra) | 948 76 00 00, 948 76 00 29 | Real Colegiata de Roncesvalles | Real Colegiata de Roncesvalles | Edurne y Mari Sol |
| Albergue Borda | 9 Km después de Saint Jean Pie de Port, Calle D428 ( a 800m después del sitio Orisson) | Saint Michel | 0033 6 61 92 97 43 | Particular | Particular | Lorenzo |
| Albergue Ultreia (Saint Jean Pied de Port) | Rue de la Citadelle, 8 | Saint Jean Pied de Port (Francia) | 00 33 680 88 46 22 | Private | Private | Nathalie y Argitxu |
| Albergue La Coquille Napoleón | Ruta de Napoleón (a 800 metros de la salida de Saint Jean Pied de Port) | Uhart-Cize (Francia) | 00 33 6 62 25 99 40 | Private | Private | Bixente Eguiazabal |
| Albergue de Luzaide/Valcarlos | Plaza de Santiago. Ubicado en la planta baja de las escuela. | Valcarlos (Navarra) | Ayuntamiento: 948 79 01 17 móvil encargado 685 51 04 35 | Ayuntamiento de Valcarlos | Ayuntamiento | Ana Mari |
| Albergue Le Chemin vers l'Etoile | Rue d'Espagne | Saint Jean Pied de Port (Francia) | +33 (0)5 59 37 20 71 | Private | Private | Jean Pierre Bonhomme |
