Hi C&M'
Wow - what a long trip from Nanaimo to Paris! (I live in Vancouver so fly directly from here). I don't know the answer to some of your questions but you can mail things from place to place in France.
1. Just go to the Post Office in Biarittz. I wouldn't try to do it from Paris. It's huge and you will have enough to do to get to Orly. Biarittz is relatively easy to get around so mail it from there but be sure to notify your hotel that it will be arriving ahead of you. (Maybe your travel agent can do that for you?
2. There will likely be pretty clear signs in the airports but there are always information booths. Google this and get maps of the airports so will feel more familiar with them ahead of time - but here's one response "Airport Bus: The airports Roissy Charles de Gaulle and Orly are both served by busses operated by Air France and the RATP. Transfer time is approximately 45 minutes depending on traffic conditions. Air France also offers a bus transfer service between Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports. "
3. Since you get to Biarittz early in the day you have some options:
a/ stay in Biarittz - it's a great place - especially the historic part where the hotels are cheaper. Biarittz has accommodation from several hundred Euros per night to fairly reasonable so it depends what you want. I prefer the historic section of town where it is more interesting and less expensive. There is a very nice youth hostel a couple of blocks from the train station. I stayed there once and was treated exceptionally well because I'm in my 60s. Google two star hotels - they're just fine. If you're in the historic section of town you'll be reasonably close to the train station.
b/ get to Bayonne(10 or 15 minutes away from Biarittz) and stay there. You can get a bus directly to SJPP from Bayonne. It's nice enough but not as pictuesque as historic Biarrittz
c/ Get a bus directly to SJPP
I recommend giving yourself an extra day to get yourself adjusted to the time change. I always stay two nights in Biarittz, take the train to SJPP and walk as far as either Huntto or Orisson albergues the first day of my camino.
4. There are several ways. Taxi, bus or train to Bayonne. Generally there is a train from Biarritz to SJPP with a change in Bayonne which is about 10 minutes from Biarittz. This year the rail section from Bayonne to SJPP is closed until some time in June. Get yourself to the Bayonne bus station by train , bus or taxi. Take a bus from Bayonne to SJPP - it's a short trip.
5.I'd Google this to see if you can get a cheap flight but you can undoubtedly get a train or bus. both of which are excellent. Start by Googling Iberia.com. Depending on when you want to travel the time is either an hour and a half to 3 or more hours. The fares vary from about 84 euros each to over 200 depending on which day you travel. I've successfully purchased tickets with Iberia online but the travel agents in Santiago are very good. Also Ivan who runs this site is very willing to help you with this when you get there. Don''t panic panic to get it all arranged from here. it's easier to do when you're there.
Feel free to email me directly (
caminocecelia@gmail.com) and we can talk things over easier if you're not yet comfortable.
Buen camino
Cecelia