Staying in SJPDP

[Patrick Hickmott]

As a follow up to my earlier post, we want to stay in SJPDP for two nights before setting off...we thought it would be nice to spend a day walking around the town as we are going to arrive in the evening...

I have temporarily reserved Maison Simonenia. Does anyone know this place and is it ok, in terms of location etc?

Many thanks...

 

[domigee]

Hi again! Sorry, I don’t know Maison Simonenia.
I know lots of people choose to stay 2 days In St Jean but personally, I’d stay in Bayonne one night and the next in St Jean. Bayonne is a lovely town with lots of nice restaurants and... I find St Jean very small, it doesn’t take long to go round it...
But that’s just one opinion amongst many!

 

[Dorpie]

Hi @Patrick Hickmott .

Can't say anything about the quality but in terms of location you couldn't do any better.

Edit: Damn! @domigee beat me to it again! And even worse I tend to agree with her, there's not a huge amount to see and do in St Jean so staying in Bayonne and not having to worry about getting from the airport to St Jean when you arrive makes sense.

 

[Patrick Hickmott]

Thanks again both!! You guys are really on the ball...

I'll have a chat with my wife and we'll make a decision then...

I really appreciate the advice...

 

[JamesVT]

There’s not a lot to do in St Jean. I’d suggest you just stay overnight and then set off on the Camino in the morning. Buen Camino!

 

[t2andreo]

I always stay two nights at SJPdP before starting out.

If you end up buying souvenirs, like the locally made authentic Basque espadrilles (they are CHEAP) you might consider sending a bag / suitcase direct to Santiago using Express Bourricot. Not cheap, but the best available way to get something the whole way.

Check them out at .expressbourricot.com or about two doors from the SJPDP pilgrim Office in Rue de la Cittadel.

Hope this helps.

 

[Patrick Hickmott]

I always stay two nights at SJPdP before starting out.

If you end up buying souvenirs, like the locally made authentic Basque espadrilles (they are CHEAP) you might consider sending a bag / suitcase direct to Santiago using Express Bourricot. Not cheap, but the best available way to get something the whole way.

Check them out at .expressbourricot.com or about two doors from the SJPDP pilgrim Office in Rue de la Cittadel.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the advice. I am going to discuss with my wife whether we should stay one night in Bayonne and the next at SJPP

 

[Patrick Hickmott]

There’s not a lot to do in St Jean. I’d suggest you just stay overnight and then set off on the Camino in the morning. Buen Camino!

Thanks for that.

Do you have any suggestions as to where to stay in Bayonne?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Port Neuf, 44 Rue Port Neuf, 64100 Bayonne, France

 

[VAtoNC]

I'm flying into Paris from the US arriving 0700. I have an 1118 train from DeGaulle Airport to Bayonne arriving 1642. I'll spend the night at Rue Port Neuf, then an 0700 train to SJPDP to next morning. One day/night in SJPP then start my Camino. I decided not to rush it so I can get used to the time change and have time to rest after a long journey -- before the next one!

 

[Patrick Hickmott]

Port Neuf, 44 Rue Port Neuf, 64100 Bayonne, France

Thanks. Just been looking at it and it looks lovely. Might be just the job!!

 

[domigee]

Thanks for that.

Do you have any suggestions as to where to stay in Bayonne?

Hotel Côte Basque
Right opposite the station, perfect for an early train
Nice rooms, good buffet breakfast and.... the slowest lift, ever!

 

[alexwalker]

I'm flying into Paris from the US arriving 0700. I have an 1118 train from DeGaulle Airport to Bayonne arriving 1642. I'll spend the night at Rue Port Neuf, then an 0700 train to SJPDP to next morning. One day/night in SJPP then start my Camino. I decided not to rush it so I can get used to the time change and have time to rest after a long journey -- before the next one!

I haven't stayed there, but IMHO your plan sounds very wise. Do book a bed in Orrison for the first day:
SJPdP - Roncesvalles is the toughest day of the whole Camino Frances: It can break your Camino on your first day, if not well fit.

 

[domigee]

SJPdP - Roncesvalles is the toughest day of the whole Camino Frances: It can break your Camino on your first day, if not well fit.

I read that same advice the first time and I did book Orisson... only to cancel the reservation on the day (we didn’t pre-pay then) as all unfit that I was, walking to Roncesvalles in one day was perfectly feasible....
Just another opinion.

 

[Patrick Hickmott]

Hotel Côte Basque
Right opposite the station, perfect for an early train
Nice rooms, good buffet breakfast and.... the slowest lift, ever!

Thanks. I will look into that one too