L'Esprit du Chemin?

Camino2014

Pilgrim

Time of past OR future Camino

Piémont, Frances, Littoral, Norte, Ingles (completed) Baztan, St. Jaume, Portuguese (planned!)

• Sep 28, 2013

• #1

Hey all,

I'm walking from Lourdes next summer and was checking into reservations at L'Esprit du Chemin once I arrive in SJPdP (planned around the 15th of June)... but to my dismay, ALL of the dates were red (which means already reserved) from now until September of 2014! I can't believe this place is so popular that it's booked that far in advance! Most airlines won't even let me book a flight yet, yet L'Esprit is booked a year ahead of time? Is this a normal occurrence?

Also, are there any other reasonably priced, very good albergues in St. Jean with a similar feeling to L'Esprit that I could look into? I saw Azkorria but it seems a bit much for a simple pilgrim.

Thanks so much for your help!

 

M

MendiWalker

Guest

• Sep 28, 2013

• #2

Hi camino2014

Hope this can help you out.

http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/albergues/#camino-frances-etapa-01

Buen Camino!

 

Camino2014

Pilgrim

Time of past OR future Camino

Piémont, Frances, Littoral, Norte, Ingles (completed) Baztan, St. Jaume, Portuguese (planned!)

• Sep 28, 2013

• #3

MendiWalker said:

Hi camino2014

Hope this can help you out.

http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/albergues/#camino-frances-etapa-01

Buen Camino!

Click to expand...

Thank you SO much, MendiWalker! I'll be sure to use this list while on the Camino!

 

Camino2014

Pilgrim

Time of past OR future Camino

Piémont, Frances, Littoral, Norte, Ingles (completed) Baztan, St. Jaume, Portuguese (planned!)

• Sep 28, 2013

• #4

Lise T said:

Hi

I stayed here in August and it created the most perfect start for my Camino.

They dont start taking reservations for the following year until around mid February of that year. They are closed from mid September to I think March each year.
It will have the open date on there website somewhere.

This place and the wonderful hosts along with the first pilgrams I met there will forever have a special place in my heart.

Click to expand...

Thank you for this information, Lise! I kind of figured that there was something weird about it being "booked" so far in advance, so thanks for telling me this! I'll be sure to check back in February and reserve a bed at this albergue! I've heard so many great things about L'Esprit and can't wait to stay there!

 

JohnMcM

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Some, and with luck, some more.

• Sep 28, 2013

• #5

Lise T said:

Hi

I stayed here in August and it created the most perfect start for my Camino.

They dont start taking reservations for the following year until around mid February of that year. They are closed from mid September to I think March each year.
It will have the open date on there website somewhere.

This place and the wonderful hosts along with the first pilgrams I met there will forever have a special place in my heart.

Click to expand...

Phew! That's good news. I too was worried about the 'all red' date for late May 2014 this far ahead.

 

Kiwi-family

{Rachael, the Mama of the family}

Time of past OR future Camino

walking every day for the rest of my life

• Sep 28, 2013

• #6

Yes, I wrote to them enquiring about this very fact. They explained that they are a Dutch couple who return home for the winter and will reopen bookings in mid-February for next season.

 

N

Nanouc

New Member

• Sep 28, 2013

• #7

They are so nice!!! I started my journey there 2 days ago and i absolutely LOVED every minutes!!!

 

Jenyat53

Active Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019

• Sep 29, 2013

• #8

Having begun my walk after staying there on the night of 5 September this year I could totally understand if they were booked out that far ahead. The experience of their hospitality was exceptional!!

 

Kiwi-family

{Rachael, the Mama of the family}

Time of past OR future Camino

walking every day for the rest of my life

• Sep 29, 2013

• #9

sssssh guys, we don't want the whole world to find out and book the place out before we get to;-)

 

D

Deleted member 3000

Guest

• Sep 29, 2013

• #10

Reservations are regularly completely taken, but they do keep a half-dozen beds open for drop-ins. They disappear pretty early to arrivals on Le Chemin du Puy, so you won't have a chance at them if you are a late train arrival.

 

D.Matthew

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Frances 2012, Portuguese 2018, Ingles 2022

• Oct 2, 2013

• #11

I stayed at L'Esprit du Chemin on my first night as well. It was the perfect start to an incredible journey.

 

KiwiNomad06

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Le Puy-Santiago(2008) Cluny-Conques+prt CF(2012)

• Oct 3, 2013

• #12

Yes, they keep back some beds for people that have been walking through France- so people walking south from Le Puy can ring a day or two ahead and reserve a bed that way. One of the things I enjoyed most about the evening meal there was that there was a lovely mixture of 'newbies' just starting out, and 'oldies' who had already been walking for a while. Also, those walking south might be able to take a 'rest day' there if they have enough beds. I was able to do this and was glad to have a day to explore SJPP before I tackled the mountain.
Margaret

Incidentally, at the monastery gite in Conques on the Le Puy route they also keep some beds for people who 'turn up'. So if you ring and find they can't give you a reservation, you might well still get a bed there when you arrive.