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Nothing.What am I missing? thanks.
Current (4 July 2021, late Sunday afternoon in Europe) situation for a traveller, with completed vaccination program and after mandatory waiting period since last jab, from the USA to SJPP, then onto Roncesvalles:We are now in July, and as far as I can tell, if you are vaccinated, all you need is proof of your vaccination, whether a EU DCC from an EU country or documentation from a non-EU country ... or not even that.
Thank you Kathar1na for your research and posting here. Nice!Current (4 July 2021, late Sunday afternoon in Europe) situation for a traveller, with completed vaccination program and after required waiting period since last jab, from the USA to SJPP, then onto Roncesvalles:
USA [-> Spain] -> France -> Spain
This assumes that the US traveller did NOT transit or stay in any other countries during the last two weeks or so, i.e. flew directly from the USA to either France or Spain. If she or he did otherwise, different rules may apply.
- France considers both the USA and Spain as a green country. See map: https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus/deplacements.
Rules for travel from green countries apply.
- Spain does not consider the French regions of Nouvelle-Aquitaine where SJPP is located and numerous other regions of France as risk areas, see list on https://www.mscbs.gob.es/profesiona...s_de_riesgo_entre_05-07-2021_y_11-07-2021.pdf.
The list is valid until 11 July 2021.
Rules for travel from non-risk areas apply.
You need to go by what is now, and not by what was last week or the week before last week. Use Reopen Europe as your starting point. It gives you an overview for your individual travel situation and takes you to the official government websites of the EU country or countries you wish to visit.
Oh! But crossing the Pyrénées is so... magical! But you can, of course, start from any other town in le pays Basque AND get that wonderful mountainous crossing!There may be people simply not wanting the hassle of testing etc just for one stage ; though I most certainly agree with there being nothing special about SJPP as a starting point.
?????Starting a foot pilgrimage from home is no longer a tradition. Just something that some people do.
This was the case a little while ago but it is no longer the case now. When coming from Italy and travelling through France and to Spain on land you currently do not need a negative PCR test if you have a EU Digital Covid certificate that attests a completed vaccination program.From this app it seems that you need a covid test even if you have a green pass to go to Spain from France by land coming from Italy for example....?
I am sorry for being blunt, @Sven Kaven, but what do you actually mean with your generic advice? Have you lived under a rock during the past 6 months or are you advising people to actively ignore official government rules? Any current issues at the land border due to public health related regulations is the issue here, not whether someone fancies starting from SJPP or from elsewhere.Peregrinos, just walk ...
It's a tough question to chew through - How are we to explain the reasons that fewer people are choosing the departure point that more people used to choose for reasons that are hard to explain? Here are a few things that came to my mind:What am I missing? thanks.
I checked the current list on the Spanish SpTH website and have to correct what I wrote: It is not "When coming from Italy". It is "When coming from the regions of Piemonte, Valle d’Aosta/Vallée d’Aoste, Liguria, Lombardia, Abruzzo, Molise, Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria, Sicilia, Sardegna, Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano/Bozen, Provincia Autonoma di Trento, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Toscana, Umbria, Marche, Lazio."When coming from Italy and travelling through France and to Spain on land you currently do not need a negative PCR test if you have a EU Digital Covid certificate that attests a completed vaccination program.
I am sorry for being blunt, @Sven Kaven, but what do you actually mean with your generic advice? Have you lived under a rock during the past 6 months or are you advising people to actively ignore official government rules? Any current issues at the land border due to public health related regulations is the issue here, not whether someone fancies starting from SJPP or from elsewhere.
I am trying to bring this thread back on track. I realise that some posters have never been aware of the existence of such issues in recent weeks. Surely everyone who lives in Europe must be aware of these issues?
Being respectful of the people around you and being aware of the public health related rules of the place where you are is the same principle, whether you are at home or abroad. Here in this thread it is specifically about border crossing rules of other countries than your own, and you need to inform yourself and be up to date before you start travelling there.
Figuring things out is a fun activity for me. Quite relaxing!Take it easy!
Amen ... Ultreya ... Get 'er done!Peregrinos, just walk ...
I would disagree with a few people on this thread. I do agree you can start your Camino adventure anywhere. However, Starting SJPP is a great start. Its a small town. If you have the time, come a day early and stroll about the streets. Some of the homes were built during Roman times! Also there is good food and a great way to begin immersing yourself into Spanish and French Culture. I love the town. As far as starting out at SJPP, walking up and above the clouds, seeing where the town is located, So far down below is a great experience. Also the challenge and thrill of crossing over the pyrenes is a great experience. Is it difficult, yes, but great bragging rights and a tough, difficult, challenging start. But what an adventure! Buen Camino.I'm seeing a lot of people posting about starting in Roncesvalles or Pamplona, not SJPDP. Is there something going on that makes starting in France more difficult these days? As far as I can tell, if I'm fully vaccinated I should be able to start anywhere in Spain or France.
What am I missing? thanks.
I'm already in Spain and will fly to Pamplona June 23 and would like to make my way to SJPP to start my camino. However, it seems that I might need to show a negative PCR test to cross the border from Spain to France.
The bus driver announced on our bus [from Pamplona to SJPP] that she was required to tell us the a PCR test is required to enter France. About half the people got off the bus.
have already booked my end-of-August flight from Geneva direct to Bayonne, but this means that I first enter France with the risk of special diverging rules of entry. Alternatively, I could fly to Barcelona, take a train to Pamplona and start from there all within Spain, which seems to be more relaxed regarding entry.
It's not a question of starting point, but about possible risks of Covis related entry formalities, which nobody knows at this stage.
Is it possible to get a PCR test in St Jean Pied de Port before crossing into Spain?
will start walking on 6 July. We would have started in SJPP of course but would need to get another COVID test to get into France and back into Spain since it hasn’t been 2 weeks since our 2nd vaccine dose.
Nobody has said that it isn't.I would disagree with a few people on this thread. I do agree you can start your Camino adventure anywhere. However, Starting SJPP is a great start.
In my opinion this happens because many pilgrims reach Roncesvalles and Pamplona more easily.I'm seeing a lot of people posting about starting in Roncesvalles or Pamplona, not SJPDP. Is there something going on that makes starting in France more difficult these days? As far as I can tell, if I'm fully vaccinated I should be able to start anywhere in Spain or France.
What am I missing? thanks.
Are you kidding me!! SJPDP is a unbelievable quaint, beautiful historical village. A fulfilment of the Camino expierence. It was my 3rd. Camino before I decided to fly into France and start in St. Jean. The excitement and larger gathering was electrifying. Everyone leaving in the morning to tackle the most challageningI never saw the " need " of starting in France seeing most foreigners land in Spain and it makes more sense to just start somewhere in Spain.
You are not missing anything. St Jean Pied de Port is "just" another town to start.
And I am not a Caminopurist by all means. Just start where you want to start.
The concept of a " full Camino" ....
But then really one should start further north-east so you can cross both the Alps and the Pyrenees on your way to Santiago, no? If you want to choose your starting place to allow for maximum mountain-crossing wonder.Oh! But crossing the Pyrénées is so... magical! But you can, of course, start from any other town in le pays Basque AND get that wonderful mountainous crossing!
Missing? We’ll, how about …I'm seeing a lot of people posting about starting in Roncesvalles or Pamplona, not SJPDP. Is there something going on that makes starting in France more difficult these days? As far as I can tell, if I'm fully vaccinated I should be able to start anywhere in Spain or France.
What am I missing? thanks.
Maybe they don't want to tackle the Pyrenees.I'm seeing a lot of people posting about starting in Roncesvalles or Pamplona, not SJPDP. Is there something going on that makes starting in France more difficult these days? As far as I can tell, if I'm fully vaccinated I should be able to start anywhere in Spain or France.
What am I missing? thanks.
Nobody "misses" anything by doing a shorter Camino. Have those starting in SJPP "missed" something from not starting in Le Puy, or Arles, or Vézelay, or Lourdes, or Tours, or Paris, or Rome, or Jerusalem ?missed.
Just to offer a reality check.walking across a mountain range
And this says it all:Is there something going on that makes starting in France more difficult these days?
I checked the current list on the Spanish SpTH website and have to correct what I wrote: It is not "When coming from Italy". It is "When coming from the regions of Piemonte, Valle d’Aosta/Vallée d’Aoste, Liguria, Lombardia, Abruzzo, Molise, Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria, Sicilia, Sardegna, Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano/Bozen, Provincia Autonoma di Trento, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Toscana, Umbria, Marche, Lazio."
Of course it is different again when you've walked during the past few weeks through the French regions of
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Occitanie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine on your way from Italy to SJPP.
That's how complicated and confusing it all is for us. And that's why people say: To heck with it all. I'll just fly to Pamplona and start from Roncesvalles this summer.
Sometimes you will get a sign that you’ve crossed the border, but it may not be from the gods or border patrol. I walked once with two women from Finland, and the entire way over from SJPP was fogged in. But at one point, the mobile phone of one of them rang, and it was Movistar welcoming her to Spain.To peregrino's from overseas with a somewhat romantic idea of border crossing: You won't even know when it happens.
How long ago was that? This sent me to Wikipedia to check: Since about 2007, mobile phone operators are required by law to send a text message to customers travelling to another EU country to inform them about the tariffs that apply for roaming services. A major nuisance, if you ask me. When you are moving around in a border area, you get half a dozen if not more of these messages, from the mobile phone operators on either side of the border.But at one point, the mobile phone of one of them rang, and it was Movistar welcoming her to Spain.
How long ago was that? This sent me to Wikipedia to check: Since about 2007, mobile phone operators are required by law to send a text message to customers travelling to another EU country to inform them about the tariffs that apply for roaming services. A major nuisance, if you ask me. When you are moving around in a border area, you get half a dozen if not more of these messages, from the mobile phone operators on either side of the border.
I live near the Italian border, and my window faces towards Italy. On some days, without ever leaving home, I can get 5 or 6 of them.When you are moving around in a border area, you get half a dozen if not more of these messages, from the mobile phone operators on either side of the border.
And if you start in St Jean Pied de Port you miss Saugues, Conques, Figeac, and Moissac and you'll always wonder what you missed by not starting in Le Puy. Or if you start in Le Puy, you might wonder what you missed by not starting in Geneva. And that is just the one route. There is a whole network of routes across Europe that lead to Santiago. It is always possible to start further away and see more.Missing? We’ll, how about …
…..walking across a mountain range (a “bucket list” event for sure)?
….or if the weather isn’t perfect, a walk through the clouds?
…..meeting new friends over dinner at Orisson, whom you’ll see again and again over the next 800 km?
…..seeing the herds of horses and sheep wandering about with no fences to constrain them?
….. the relief when the trail stops rising before you, the view ar the top and the descent through the forest to Roncesvalles?
….and more.
It’s the journey that’s important. If you start in Spain, you’ll always wonder what you missed. But that’s not bad— it is the reason you’ll do it again.
If Memory serves me correctly this is the border crossing on the Napoleon route !!
I used to think that you actually step from France into Spain when you step over this cattle grid next to the Roland fountain. Looking at the map, however, it appears that pilgrims walk along the border line for a short while and then leave it near the fountain, see below. Needless to say that I did not notice border stones #198 and #199. They are numbered all the way from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, all 602 of them.this is the border crossing on the Napoleon route !!
Luckily, someone photographed all the border stones in the Pyrenees that mark the French-Spanish border, including stones #198 and #199 on the Route Napoleon.I did not notice border stones #198 and #199.
You are right. I always chuckle when someone asks here on the forum or on one of the Facebook Camino groups (more commonly asked on FB than here) if they will need special shoes or other specialized gear to "cross the Pyrenees." I imagine that they are anticipating scrambling up craggy mountain peaks - not a paved road or dirt path.Just to offer a reality check.
If your idea of the Pyrenees has been created by photos of jagged peaks, or of a peleton going up into steep mountains, you'll be surprised: this is a big hill, not a whole lot more.
Uh-hem....everyone is totally entitled to their opinion however "True Pilgrim" you don't think there is anything special about starting in SJPdP?? My experience says it's magical to say the least and challenging and a right of passage. There is such a buzz in the little town of SJPdP where the pilgrims office is a must visit, it's where the magic begins. I feel a "True Pilgrim" (what ever that means) should experience it at least once.There may be people simply not wanting the hassle of testing etc just for one stage ; though I most certainly agree with there being nothing special about SJPP as a starting point.
Thank you Jim.There seems to be an element of thinking in a number of the above postings that could lead folks to believe that walking the Route Napoleon is a necesity for this pilgrimage. For Spaniards in particular, Roncesvalles was seen as a popular starting point in preference to SJPdP, in modern times, for this particular route to Santiago. Oh and as far as tradition goes then the Valcarlos route beats the Route Napoleon by quite a long period of time within this pilgrimage route history.
Just to offer a reality check.
If your idea of the Pyrenees has been created by photos of jagged peaks, or of a peleton going up into steep mountains, you'll be surprised: this is a big hill, not a whole lot more.
Compared to the peaks East of here, these are foothills. And if you want more than foothills begin in Pau or Somport on the Aragone
Absolutely agree with you....(unless of course, if you have a European Covid Certificate)I agree with @VNwalking. Although we enjoyed the walk from SJPdP to Roncevalles, there are many more awe dropping sites we have had the privilege of hiking in The Canadian Rockies,the Swiss, Italian and Austrian Alps, White Mt. Range in New Hampshire, The Adirondacks, etc. I found SJPdP cramped in September. More disappointing, the mountain route is mostly paved!
That said, there are some really nice views on the Napoleon route. However, given the emergence of the delta virus, staying within Spain without worrying about crossing borders would be my choice for the Fall of 2021.
If you haven’t made plans yet try to avoid flying into a second country this year? Consider flying in and out of Spain. Keep it simple!
Americans?No idea what prompted that change in the late 90s early 2000s.
I just wanted to say that the assumption of the OP isn't correct. The hospitaleros in Roncesvalles told me on Tuesday that most pilgrims staying there still walked from St Jean.
Some pilgrims who start in Roncesvalles get in by bus early in the morning and so do not sleep there, nevertheless that's good info. Thanks.The hospitaleros in Roncesvalles told me on Tuesday that most pilgrims staying there still walked from St Jean.
As far as I know that isn't possible as the 16.00h bus from Pamplona to Roncesvalles is the only one. But you could take a taxi of course.Some pilgrims who start in Roncesvalles get in by bus early in the morning and so do not sleep there, nevertheless that's good info. Thanks.
Well said.I never saw the " need " of starting in France seeing most foreigners land in Spain and it makes more sense to just start somewhere in Spain.
You are not missing anything. St Jean Pied de Port is "just" another town to start.
And I am not a Caminopurist by all means. Just start where you want to start.
The concept of a " full Camino" ....
"St Jean Pied de Port is "just" another town to start". I cannot agree. Starting in St Jean means going over the Pyrenees and walking from one country to another. Two experiences that I was glad to have. Each to his own, of course, but let's not denigrate St Jean and its prominent role on the Camino Frances.I never saw the " need " of starting in France seeing most foreigners land in Spain and it makes more sense to just start somewhere in Spain.
You are not missing anything. St Jean Pied de Port is "just" another town to start.
And I am not a Caminopurist by all means. Just start where you want to start.
The concept of a " full Camino" ....
I jus took a taxi from Roncesvalles to SJPP 20 days ago and no one stopped or questioned me. Lots of bogus rumors out thereI'm seeing a lot of people posting about starting in Roncesvalles or Pamplona, not SJPDP. Is there something going on that makes starting in France more difficult these days? As far as I can tell, if I'm fully vaccinated I should be able to start anywhere in Spain or France.
What am I missing? thanks.
You are confusing being controlled and questioned by police or by border control with wanting to know the applicable rules for crossing from one EU country to the neighbouring EU country and wanting to comply with those rules.I jus took a taxi from Roncesvalles to SJPP 20 days ago and no one stopped or questioned me. Lots of bogus rumors out there
I'd actually be interested to hear what "the lots of bogus rumours out there" are. I've never seen any such claims on the forum. There is no border control on the small road between Roncesvalles and SJPP in either direction and none on the Napoleon path; nobody - at least nobody from an EU country - would expect otherwise.Lots of bogus rumors out there
Beautiful country side, I will not missed it, and when you arrive in Roncesvalles, have a nice diner in the old monasterie,food very good.SJPdP to Roncesvalles is spectacular and shouldn’t be missed. Recharge with cafe con leche or a full nights sleep in Orisson. The views, the sounds, the excitement, the struggles. Buen Camino.
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"St Jean Pied de Port is "just" another town to start". I cannot agree. Starting in St Jean means going over the Pyrenees and walking from one country to another. Two experiences that I was glad to have. Each to his own, of course, but let's not denigrate St Jean and its prominent role on the Camino Frances.
SabineP,....
Hopefully one day, when enough time and funds, I hope to start from my front door here in Belgium to Santiago and the climb to Roncesvalles will be just " a climb ' to me...
It’s a big hike over the Pyrenees from SJPDP, escorted by wild horsesI'm seeing a lot of people posting about starting in Roncesvalles or Pamplona, not SJPDP. Is there something going on that makes starting in France more difficult these days? As far as I can tell, if I'm fully vaccinated I should be able to start anywhere in Spain or France.
What am I missing? thanks.
I just had dinner with that man from Australia in Los Arcos. He said it was his 20th Camino.I was working as a hospitalera at Roncesvalles as from the opening day (June 25th) until yesterday. By far the most pilgrims came from SJPdP. Of course there was the dayly bus from Pamplona with Spanish pilgrims who consider Roncesvalles as their starting point, but this is not different from earlier years.
We saw mainly people from European countries: France, Italy, the Netherlands, Danmark, Germany, and also from Slovenia, Bulgaria, Rumenia, Ukraine. Also some people from the USA, and one man from Austraalia, who lives in Europe.
I read in another thread you were in Roncesvalles last Tuesday. We must have met each other, without knowing ...I just had dinner with that man from Australia in Los Arcos. He said it was his 20th Camino.
Yeah. Thanks. I was getting a bit confused by the idea that you would have to show your vaccination passport when you went from France to Spain on the CF. As I recall, there was a cow standing at the border, but that was about it. No "gendarmes" (spelling?) checking any documents.The Camino begins when you walk out your front door. Wherever you choose to start from in Europe is your decision. Some like the idea of crossing the Pyrenees. Some don’t care. It’s honestly just up to you. I think some people might be concerned about crossing the border between France and Spain but there’s nobody standing there watching you.
Thinking about the border I came up with a plan that the Spanish police would like, without them standing out in the weather. They would take over the check-in duties at Roncesvalles and look for credentials with a French sello. The French police, on the other hand, would have it even easier. How many pilgrims walk from Roncesvalles to SJPdP after all?As I recall, there was a cow standing at the border, but that was about it. No "gendarmes" (spelling?) checking any documents.
Yes, I spent the night there from Monday till Tuesday. I spoke with 2 hospitaleros (in Dutch). One of them could have been you.I read in another thread you were in Roncesvalles last Tuesday. We must have met each other, without knowing ...
Yes, I recall that magic moment, but don't remember where it was...Just curious, when you walk from Le Puy, at which point do you see the Pyrennees for the first time? Is that a memorable moment?
Walking from Paris, I still vividly remember the moment, though I don't recall from where exactly, before Saint Palais I think. Unfortunately, my photo doesn't contain location information. All of a sudden you see something massive in the far distance to the south that looks like a very high and huge black wall. And you think "finally"! You know that you still have to cross the north of Spain but there is a feeling of having done most of the walk (I actually had done about two thirds by that time).
Shortly after that, the area becomes more hilly and you never get this view of the mountain range again.
Macron and his government use the same approach as Sanchez and his government: first they make public announcements on TV or at a press briefing, then they make the laws that hopefully fit their earlier announcements, then they publish the laws and say when the laws with enter into force and be applicable, then they have their websites updated - in a more or less user friendly way. This can take anything between a few days and a few weeks.Information on the new travel restrictions into France from UK, Portugal, and Spain is unusually hard to find ; unusual because the French media are typically a lot more efficient about such things
I never saw the " need " of starting in France seeing most foreigners land in Spain and it makes more sense to just start somewhere in Spain.
You are not missing anything. St Jean Pied de Port is "just" another town to start.
And I am not a Caminopurist by all means. Just start where you want to start.
The concept of a " full Camino" ....
It is a BIG, BEAUTIFUL walk over the Pyrenees and SJPP is a beautiful town.It’s a big hike over the Pyrenees from SJPDP, escorted by wild horses
Well said.The Camino begins when you walk out your front door. Wherever you choose to start from in Europe is your decision. Some like the idea of crossing the Pyrenees. Some don’t care. It’s honestly just up to you. I think some people might be concerned about crossing the border between France and Spain but there’s nobody standing there watching you.
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