Looking for travel suggestions in the days before SJPP

[carolyn of slo]

Hello.
I will be starting the Camino Frances in early April, but in the week prior my husband (who is seeing me off) and I will be traveling from Paris to Bayonne (or destinations in between). I am looking for suggestions of interesting villages or towns we can relax and enjoy nature, perhaps in the French Pyrenees or north of there. We prefer to travel by train. I am thinking arty, quaint, with good food/wine and lovely surrounds, and with places to hike or bike. We love Annecy and Chamonix in eastern France... any place like that in the Southwest?
Thanks, (perhaps we will meet on the Camino!) Carolyn

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I haven't been there been I've read that the city of Pau used to be a place that the English used to love spending time in a 100 years ago.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pau,_Pyrénées-Atlantiques

 

[mspath]

In France there is a often a Chain of Local ( donativo ) Hospitality offered for passing pilgrims. See more in French here.
Those who offer such hospitality do so for the pleasure of meeting/greeting pilgrims as well as helping them find their way.

For example my husband and I live in a small Champagne village, facing the Marne river.
We have a b and b but last year for the first time also provided simple family hosting for passing pilgrims. My first pilgrim shell hangs at our door marking the path.

Check to see if such a Chain of Local Hospitality/ l'Accueil pèlerins à domicile exists where you might wish to travel in France. A good source for this research is
http://www.aucoeurduchemin.org/spip/Hebergements/Hebergement-dans-les-Pyrenees/

Good luck, Bon chemin and Buen camino!

 

[scruffy1]

Early April, before Easter? Sorry, can't really help. You might find things a bit quiet and a lot shut down. Except for the sli slopes in the East, France often hibernates until Easter and then, despite recommendations even from MMD, restaurants, gites, and even hotels will have a little note on the door/window "Fermé pour les vacances de Pâques" or "Fermé jusqu'à Pâques" which may mean anything from a few days over the weekend until a good week and more.