Pyrenees Trip June 2024 - Part 8 St Jean Pied de Port, Basque Country

A bit further inland and closer to the mountains is St Jean Pied de Port, on one of the major pilgrim routes to Santiago de Compostela in north west Spain. Our own village is on the Chemin de Piemont Pyreneen (not shown on map) which links up with the main inland route in Spain.

Taken from the internet and I can't remember whose picture it is to credit, so apologies if it is yours.

One of my cousins from New Zealand came over to do this route from St Jean P de P about six or seven years ago. He enjoyed his experience apart from the period he spent in hospital with Legionnaires' Disease which he picked up from one of the hostels!!! Thankfully he recovered fine and was able to continue on his journey and finish the pilgrimage. It's certainly tough starting from France as you have the hike over the Pyrenees to contend with first, when you are not necessarily at your fittest! Rather him than me. 😀

Me beside the River Nive. We are still in the Basque country here though I think towards the edge of it. This lovely town was classified as one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages in France' in 2016.

You can open up this pic to read some info about the history of the pilgrim route of Saint Jacques de Compostelle, as it is called in French.

Rue de la Citadelle is the main street in the old part of town which leads to a citadelle at the top - K and I have visited in the past but we didn't on this day.

There are some gorgeous old houses on this road; this one is engraved with the name of the couple who I imagine built (or had built) the house, in 1720.

This house is dated 1510.

I remember this house from before, but because the streets are so narrow you can't stand back far enough to get it all in one photo, as I wanted to cover as many of the plants as possible.

Finally, a view from the top of the town. Yet more dismal weather! Still, it was lovely to see everywhere looking so green and lush.