Orrison

[Shellfox]

Hi Folks!
I just have a simple question and I know people will have different opinions on this but I'd like to hear them . I'm landing in Biarritz airport at 12.40. My taxi company says I will be in St Jean by 2 o'clock. So my question is do I stay in St Jean for the night or head for Orrison?..

 

[Al the optimist]

First question must be when are you flying? Will there be weather issues/early sunset at that time of year? Orisson is not open all year round. Also will they be booked up? Are you going soon? It seems to take about 2 weeks to get a reply to an e-mail.

 

[grayland]

I would stay in St Jean. The 7 km to Orission is very steep and would make a long day of traveling more difficult.
You can visit the Pilgrim Office and get a Shell and a sello and meet other pilgrims who will be starting out with you in the morning.
Just my opinion, of course.

 

[Shellfox]

Thanks guys! I'm leaving soon, 9th of May so probably not enough time to book. I couldn't seem to make up my mind either way so that definitely helps!

 

[Jo Jo]

You certainly have time to get to Orisson that evening (it is only 3-3.5 hours from SJPP). We got to SJPP at noon, ate lunch, toured the town, and still had plenty of time to get there and shower before dinner. Reservations are required. They responded with a couple of days to my emailed reservation request (in English, plus Google translate French), so you still have time. Or, if you remain undecided, I saw the pilgrim office in SJPP calling up the hill for pilgrims to see if Orisson had spots for that night. So, you could always try the last-minute approach. For us Orisson was worth it to cut the next day's walk down to a more manageable level.

 

[Shellfox]

Thanks Jo Jo, making the second day easier was my main reason for thinking about it.. Maybe I'll email them and see what happens.. If they reply and have space I'll go for it and if they don't reply or don't have space I'll stay put.. I'll still be starting the Camino so it's a win win situation either way

 

[KerrySA]

Take your time and enjoy it. St Jean is beautiful. St Jean to Orison is gorgeous. Orison to Roncesvalles was one of my favourite days. If you can't get in to Orisson for the night 20 euros will get you a cab from Orisson back to St Jean and you can cab it back in the morning, still splitting the Pyrenees up into two days if you want to do that. It's all doable. It's the start of the Camino! How exciting!

 

[admarb]

Shelfox,
My son and I landed at Biarritz and got taxi to SJPP also. Visited Pilgrim office saw a little of town and set off for Orisson. We had booked in by phone and confirmed by E Mail. Reached there just in time for a very enjoyable dinner. It is a tough start, uphill constantly . Looking back we both agree it was a good decision to break the stage from SJPP to Roncesvalles, in fact we continued on further next day. The first stage is definitely the hardest, and we were lucky with beautiful weather and visibility.
Hope this helps you. Buen Camino.

 

[petitewalker]

I would stay in SJPDP overnight. It is a beautiful French village and will give you a bit of a chance to get over jet lag. Unless you are on a time schedule, enjoy each and every moment. It is also a beautiful walk up the Pyrenees is the mornining.

 

[jpflavin1]

Hi Folks!
I just have a simple question and I know people will have different opinions on this but I'd like to hear them . I'm landing in Biarritz airport at 12.40. My taxi company says I will be in St Jean by 2 o'clock. So my question is do I stay in St Jean for the night or head for Orrison?..

Shellfox:

I would call to see if I could get a reservation. If one was available, I would walk to Orrison after checking in at the Pilgrim office. I have found walking upon arrival helps me knock out jet lag. Also one less day of packing unpacking and you do not have to go out for your dinner. The walk is a steep 7-8 km's but very doable.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[Al the optimist]

Oh course jet lag is something some have to deal with but we don't know if this is the case here.