Worried about St Jean

[scott888]

Hello All,

Just signed up to the forum, having booked my flight and train to St Jean a couple of days ago. Now I'm worried about finding somewhere to stay!

I arrive on the 11th of May in St Jean (train arrives at 16:14 apparently). I knew already that L'esprit du chemin was fully booked. Knowing this, I had planned to just turn up and hope to find somewhere to stay, but having looked on the Auberge du pèlerin website only to see that it also was full for the 11th leads me to worry about finding a bed!

I'm really excited about going but am unsure what to do about sleeping on my first night. Could anyone advise me if there is a need to book somewhere, and if so, where is good and contactable in English (or can be done online)?

I plan on walking to Roncesvalles so I'm hoping there is no need to book for any further nights, and can then just stay where I can.

Thanks for your help!

Scott

 

[Anniesantiago]

Yes. You should book. Try this

http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/alb ... saint-jean

 

[scott888]

Thank you, I have sent a booking form, let's hope there's space!

 

[methodist.pilgrim.98]

The pilgrim office at 39 rue de citadel also seem to have their finger on the pulse of what's available and they work really hard to get people sorted.

 

[mspath]

scott888,

Here is the SJPdP tourism board link in French for all the pilgrim albergues in the SJPdP area. Reading this you can see which place's do take reservations and have email or websites.>>
http://www.saintjeanpieddeport-paysbasq ... WzEkOx_c0k

However if you do arrive in SJPdP without a reservation don't panic. The Pilgrim Office of the Amis du Chemin de Saint Jacques at 39 rue de la Citadelle usually stays open for the arrival of the last train. Their telephone is 05 59 37 05 09. In season it is open from 7h30 to 12h30 and then from 13h30 to 22h. They can provide you with a Credential and lodging assistance. Their volunteers help run the albergue at 55 rue de la Citadelle. This is a fine place to stay, but they do NOT take reservations. If their albergue is full they will help you find other pilgrim lodgings when you are on site. They keep up to the minute lists of available space throughout the SJPdP area. By the way the station in St Jean is miniscule and closes for the night after the last train arrives so you can not sleep there.

Good luck and Buen Camino,

Margaret Meredith

 

[COYFC]

I emailed Le Chemin vers l'Etoile and they got back to me within the hour staying there May 6. eric.viotte@gmail.com is his email if your interested, looks like a great albergue to me. 8)

http://www.pelerinage-saint-jacques-compostelle.com

 

[blessedtraveler]

Most places I find say the Pilgrims Office closes at 22hr (10:00PM) but it looks like the last train gets in at 22:30 (10:30PM). If I take the last train in, will they be open to help me? Or should I stay in Bayonne?

 

[zammy]

If the weather is good climb the first 5 km to Hounto or Orrison, it'll be easier the next day.

 

[Kanga]

If you download the Gites de France app you will find numerous bed and breakfast alternatives in Saint Jean. The app is very useful for anyone walking in France.

 

[KiwiNomad06]

Most places I find say the Pilgrims Office closes at 22hr (10:00PM) but it looks like the last train gets in at 22:30 (10:30PM). If I take the last train in, will they be open to help me? Or should I stay in Bayonne?

Unless you manage to get a confirmed gite booking, telling them the hour of your arrival, I think it would be best to stay in Bayonne at that hour, and come to SJPP the next day, then walk up as far as Hunto or Orisson if you wish.
Margaret

 

[mspath]

Most places I find say the Pilgrims Office closes at 22hr (10:00PM) but it looks like the last train gets in at 22:30 (10:30PM). If I take the last train in, will they be open to help me? Or should I stay in Bayonne?

Unless you manage to get a confirmed gite booking, telling them the hour of your arrival, I think it would be best to stay in Bayonne at that hour, and come to SJPP the next day, then walk up as far as Hunto or Orisson if you wish.
Margaret

In season the Pilgrim Office usually stays open for the arrival of the last train. However, 10:30 pm is a bit late to be searching for a place to stay in SJPdP !

As Margaret notes why not stay in Bayonne in a small place such at the Monte Carlo which conveniently close to the Gare? Here is their web >> http://hotel-montecarlo.allcommerces.com/. Next morning you can easily catch the early TER line 62 train to SJPdP.

Bon Voyage and Buen Camino,

Margaret Meredith

 

[blessedtraveler]

Thanks for the advice. I'm at the airport now waiting to leave for France and still don't know what I will be doing tomorrow night. Due to a family crisis, I haven't been able to sit down and look for places to stay in either town. I know that no matter what, God will provide. So I'm going to trust in that while I take a few moments to look online. Hopefully its not very pricy as this crisis has made my funding a bit less than was planned.
Thanks again
Kim

 

[sempervivum]

Thanks for the advice. I'm at the airport now waiting to leave for France and still don't know what I will be doing tomorrow night. Due to a family crisis, I haven't been able to sit down and look for places to stay in either town. I know that no matter what, God will provide. So I'm going to trust in that while I take a few moments to look online. Hopefully its not very pricy as this crisis has made my funding a bit less than was planned.
Thanks again
Kim

I hope that everything is OK with your family!
I also know that you have found a place to stay (almost wanted to say "hope" instead of "know"
Be confident and strong.
Buen Camino,
S

 

[blessedtraveler]

Thanks! I did find a hotel room in Bayonne. The last one it seems. Two men wound up sleeping outside the train station that night.

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