L'Esprit du Chemin?

[Camino2014]

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!

 

[MendiWalker]

Hi camino2014

Hope this can help you out.

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

Buen Camino!

 

[Camino2014]

Hi camino2014

Hope this can help you out.

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

Buen Camino!

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

 

[Camino2014]

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.

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]

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.

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

 

[Kiwi-family]

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.

 

[Nanouc]

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

 

[Jenyat53]

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]

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

 

[Deleted member 3000]

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]

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

 

[KiwiNomad06]

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.