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Perhaps you could mention Bayonne in the title of the thread to receive better answers, since most people who walk the Camino Francés never go to Bayonne at all.Hello all! If you had an extra day in Bayonne, what would you do?
According to your avatar, Don, I would say you really like Biarritz.Bayonne has a wonderful Basque Museum, a walking tour of the town ending at the marche is fascinating as is the Cathedral. There are some very nice outdoor restaurant along the Nive
St Jean is nice for a first timer but can be run over by tourist in buses. There are too many tricket shops.
Pamplona is worth a day, lots to see if you feet aren't too tired after walking there.
Consider Biarritz, there are great beaches and wonderful bars around the marche.
I own an apartment on the south side of the city and lived there for 5 years with a resident visa. It is a convienent place to live and jump off to do many part of the Camino and various GR's in France. A town with a great vive and great people.According to your avatar, Don, I would say you really like Biarritz.
I did because I wanted to walk from Bayonne to St Jean but was told there was no route from there. So I spent two days there then took a bus to St. Jean, was later told there is a route from there to ST. Jean.Perhaps you could mention Bayonne in the title of the thread to receive better answers, since most people who walk the Camino Francés never go to Bayonne at all.
I would do just what I did: Tour the Cathedrals and churches. do some laundry. Enjoy a real sit-down meal.Hello all! If you had an extra day in Bayonne, St. Jean, and Pamplona, what would you do?
I have been to Biarritz with my family when the kids were so little and still so cute and lovable. We had a great time. The beach was wonderful. I know so many people stereotype the French as cold and aloof and not open to foreigners but I think that notion can easily be dispelled if you go to France with children. We made two long trips to France when are children were really small. I can not tell you how incredible, warm and caring the French people were and I know it was because of their love of children and family. Yes it was true even in Paris!!!!! Thank you France for those lifetime memories.Bayonne has a wonderful Basque Museum, a walking tour of the town ending at the marche is fascinating as is the Cathedral. There are some very nice outdoor restaurant along the Nive
St Jean is nice for a first timer but can be run over by tourist in buses. There are too many tricket shops.
Pamplona is worth a day, lots to see if you feet aren't too tired after walking there.
Consider Biarritz, there are great beaches and wonderful bars around the marche.
The perfect advice for a rest day on the camino for sure. Whether it is your first or your 20th day.I can only speak for Saint Jean and Pamplona, and I have spent an extra day in both places while walking the Camino.
First thing I do is sleep in very late, and then find a really good breakfast. I then roam about a la tourist. You can get a map for Pamplona at the tourist office there. See the sights. Maybe go to a mercado and get some snacks etc. I get a big lunch, siesta later and then go back out and eat again drink a sundowner or two or three
I am lazy as heck on the extra days.
One little thing: find the plaque that commemorates the birth in 1801 of the philosopher and brilliant economist Frédéric Bastiat.Hello all! If you had an extra day in Bayonne, St. Jean, and Pamplona, what would you do?
In Pamplona, I would live to visit the bull ring, the Cathedral and other churches plus of course any museums. Then in the late afternoon tapas and beer! Simply arriving in the city in the afternoon and away first thing in the morning is such a shame.Hello all! If you had an extra day in Bayonne, St. Jean, and Pamplona, what would you do?
I agree! I visited Paris and France with my young children and they were treated superbly. In one restaurant the owners came by and took the children off somewhere so we could enjoy a romantic meal. Now that's service.I have been to Biarritz with my family when the kids were so little and still so cute and lovable. We had a great time. The beach was wonderful. I know so many people stereotype the French as cold and aloof and not open to foreigners but I think that notion can easily be dispelled if you go to France with children. We made two long trips to France when are children were really small. I can not tell you how incredible, warm and caring the French people were and I know it was because of their love of children and family. Yes it was true even in Paris!!!!! Thank you France for those lifetime memories.
I caught the train from Bayonne to St Jean last August, so I was only there for a short time.Hello all! If you had an extra day in Bayonne, St. Jean, and Pamplona, what would you do?
Bayonne-- Spend time in the Cathedral, walk to the beach. Take a tour of the town.Hello all! If you had an extra day in Bayonne, St. Jean, and Pamplona, what would you do?
I have always found the French people to be patient and helpful.I have been to Biarritz with my family when the kids were so little and still so cute and lovable. We had a great time. The beach was wonderful. I know so many people stereotype the French as cold and aloof and not open to foreigners but I think that notion can easily be dispelled if you go to France with children. We made two long trips to France when are children were really small. I can not tell you how incredible, warm and caring the French people were and I know it was because of their love of children and family. Yes it was true even in Paris!!!!! Thank you France for those lifetime memories.
Go to LourdesHello all! If you had an extra day in Bayonne, St. Jean, and Pamplona, what would you do?
Go to LourdesHello all! If you had an extra day in Bayonne, St. Jean, and Pamplona, what would you do?
I do like Pamplona and it’s energy. They sure don’t need a reason to celebrate. I think they have a fiesta when they can’t think of another reason to celebrate. I too and way past even considering a bed race or walking with crowds. That is why I have started walking Caminos less traveled.I’ve aged. I’ve done the “Death March” & “Battle for Lower Bunk” bit – basta! -- my more recent walks are slower and more reflective. A few more creature comforts, and a lot more time spent just living in the moment and thanking God for my many blessings … Never been to Bayonne, but have seen pix and it looks great. The last time I had a whole free day in Pamplona I did something of a half-day “Great Circle” walk. Memorable! I suggest it to you:
After a lazy coffee on the terrace at the always-a-pleasure Café Iruna, set off for the Plaza de Toros, and if it’s open see what you can…. Near the Plaza de Toros is something of a museum of Pamplona fortifications, worth a peek, and close by it is a marvelous glassed-in elevator that you can ride down the slope to the river’s edge. Great views! Great fun! There is then a funky modern footbridge across the river. Cross it, turn left and stroll along the river Arga across from the Paderborn to the Puente de La Magdalena, the Pilgrim’s Bridge….. Reflect wistfully on your previous visits….
Pic below: the funky footbridge
View attachment 96894
Re-enter the city through the French Gate, turn right and visit first the municipal market and then the Museum of Navarre. Which is world class! Really! Then stroll west (great views looking north across the river!) until you reach the venerable Parque de la Taconera, where the sight of the ducks and animals wandering freely among the battlements is charming. ... Then there’s the short hop to the vast and beautiful Ciudadela. Unmissable if you're ex-military or interested in such things…. Head back into town, stroll down the Paseo de Sarasate, pay your respects to the stupendous medieval Church of San Nicolas, and finally re-emerge on the Plaza del Castillo. By which time you’ll be ready for a nice, fortifying vino tinto!
And then there's the Cathedral...! (The Blessed Sacrament Chapel is dear to me!)
When I die I'm not going to Heaven, I'm going back to Pamplona!
Get a private room. Take a long hot shower, take a nap, get dinner, take another nap. Go out for the evening not worrying about getting locked out. Sleep in the next morning. Take another hot shower. Hit the road.Hello all! If you had an extra day in Bayonne, St. Jean, and Pamplona, what would you do?
I am always amazed in London to be given vacated bus seats due to my greying, thinning ‘barnet’, and never reveal that I still hike thousands of kilometres a year... and likewise always accept, when offered, the increasingly common, wheelchair accessible ground floor ‘suite’ with private shower in many municipal albergues... Gracias indeed to all!I do like Pamplona and it’s energy. They sure don’t need a reason to celebrate. I think they have a fiesta when they can’t think of another reason to celebrate. I too and way past even considering a bed race or walking with crowds. That is why I have started walking Caminos less traveled.
As I also age as gratefully as possible I have not had a problem getting a bottom bunk in years!