10 Things to Do in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (SJPDP) is a picturesque town nestled at the foot of the Pyrenees and celebrated as one of the most beautiful villages in France. While it’s best known as the gateway to the Camino Francés, the most popular route of the Camino de Santiago, there are plenty of things to do in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port that make it worth exploring.
I spent a few days there in 2023 before starting my Camino and am glad I did. The town feels like something out of another time period, and I loved exploring. Plus, the mountain views all around are absolutely stunning.
Things to Do in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Here’s my guide on things to do in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port based on my experience there and recommendations I’ve received from other pilgrims who have done the Camino.
1. Explore La Citadelle (Citadel)
The most notable site in town is the old Citadel and the road leading up to it. It’s built on top of a large hill with breathtaking views of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and the Pyrenees Mountains.
The Citadel was built in 1628 on the site of the Kings of Navarre’s former fortified château. It served as an important military position during various Franco-Spanish conflicts. This is because it sits at the start of one of the oldest and easiest routes for passing through the Pyrenees from France into Spain.
Now the Citadel is a school. It was quite mind boggling and interesting to see this old fortress with a basketball court. 😀
For just €3, you can go on a book a guided tour of the Citadel and the town, but the tour is in French. Don’t worry if you don’t know French. You can still check out the Citadel on your own.
I spent one morning wandering up the hill, taking in the views, and exploring the outside of the Citadel on my own. I loved the experience and found it to be a nice activity to do solo so I could enjoy the quiet of the mountains. There are also some signs along the way with text in English so you can learn about some of the history on your own.
2. Wander Along the Old Town Walls
The Citadel isn’t the only protected structure in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. In fact, the entire old town is protected by old walls.
The inside of the walls have a walkway that you can explore and imagine you’re back in the Middle Ages protecting the town. One area to get up to the walls is from the Porte de France.
I spent a little time walking along the walls and checking out the mountain views in the distance. Note that if you’re afraid of heights like me, you may feel a little uneasy as one side doesn’t have much of a railing. Fortunately, at least when I was walking along them at the end of May, there weren’t many others there, so I was able to cling closely to the walls.
3. Dine at a Michelin-Recognized Restaurant
Les Pyrénées is a modern family-owned Basque restaurant recognized by the Michelin Guide. It’s part of Hôtel des Pyrénées, one of the nicest hotels in town.
While it has incredible food and is considered a fine dining establishment, prices are quite reasonable. For a starter, main course, dessert, and one drink, you can expect to spend around €30-40 per person for lunch or €40-50 per person for dinner.
The restaurant is open for lunch Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 1:30 p.m. For dinner, it’s open Tuesday, and Thursday through Saturday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
I wish I had known about this when I was there. It’s definitely on my list for my next Camino Francés!
4. Stroll Through the Charming Old Town and Rue de la Citadelle
Walking through Rue de la Citadelle is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. This is the most charming Medieval-feeling cobblestoned street (although it’s not fun to pull luggage along it!).
This is a must do activity when in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Be sure to take some time just to wander and take in the sights around you.
5. Check Out Porte de Saint-Jacques
Porte de Saint-Jacques is the gateway into the walled town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port where pilgrims hiking from French routes would enter.
You can walk in those pilgrims’ historic footsteps by walking through the gates here. There are nice views of the mountains from here too.
6. Hike Along the Camino de Santiago and Other Routes
If you’re not visiting Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to hike the Camino, then you should consider checking out some of the hiking trails around. Here are a few suggestions:
Follow the Camino Francés to Refuge Orisson
- Distance: 4.6 miles (7.4 km) one way
- Elevation Gain: 2,260 ft elevation gain
- Get map and details here
Walk in the footsteps of millions of pilgrims before you by hiking a portion of the French Way. On your way to Orisson, you’ll hike up into the Pyrenees Mountains along quaint country roads. You’ll start to get good mountain views as you get close to Orisson.
Once you get to Refuge Orisson, I recommend stopping for lunch. If weather is nice, you can enjoy their outdoor patio. I had the vegetarian platter with french fries, salad, and eggs, and it was SO good.
If you don’t feel like hiking back from Orisson, you can arrange a ride back to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in advance. Express Bourricot has a 2:40 p.m. shuttle from Orisson back to SJPDP each day, but it must be booked in advance.
Hike the Camino Francés to Roncesvalles
- Distance: 15 miles (24.1 km) one way
- Elevation Gain: 4,849 ft
- Get map and details here
This is a longer version of the hike above. It’s a challenging hike where you cross over the Pyrenees and enter into Spain. The views are absolutely incredible.
There aren’t many places to stop on the way other than Refuge Orisson. From there, you can stop to grab lunch and use the restroom. If you don’t feel like continuing on, then you can turn around from there to go back to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
If this entire hike is too much, you could book the Express Bourricot shuttle to start your hike at Orisson instead. From there, it’s about 10.4 miles (16.8 km) to Roncesvalles. From Roncesvalles, you can get a taxi back to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
Take the G10 to Estérençuby
- Distance: 10 miles (16 km) one way
- Elevation Gain: 3,192 ft
- Get map and details here
The G10 is another popular hiking trail in the region. This trek will take you through the villages of Çaro, Ahadoa, and Estérençuby. The route is mostly paved but offers gorgeous mountain views.
Note that this route involves crossing two fjords, so you should not do the hike if there has been heavy rain.
Reach out to Express Bourricot about arranging transport back.
7. Stop in the Prison Des Eveques (Bishop’s Prison)
The Bishop’s Prison is one of the top attractions in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. It’s a historic bishop’s house and prison that’s registered as a historic monument.
You can see step inside to see the house and prison and also learn from a number of permanent and temporary exhibits. Permanent exhibits cover Basque pelota, the Basque diaspora, and history of the old cemetery.
An adult ticket costs €4. From Easter (April 20, 2025) to All Saint’s Day (November 1, 2025), the museum is open daily except Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Hours are extended in July and August to every day from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
8. Visit the Église Paroissiale de l’Assomption de la Vierge (Parish Church of the Assumption of the Virgin)
This church is the most important Gothic building in the French Basque Country after the Bayonne Cathedral.
Many pilgrims attend Mass here, typically at 7 p.m., the night before undertaking their Caminos. During the service, they will receive a blessing for their journeys.
Outside of Mass, the church is open and free to visit. There are candles that you can light for a prayer.
9. Shop at the Local Market and Stores
Every Monday there’s a market along the street Place de Remparts with various food and non-food vendors selling local goods. From late May to late September, it’s open on Thursdays as well. You can find delicious local cheese, bread, produce, and more here.
Aside from the local market, there are numerous stores in town to go shopping. You can find all sorts of goods, like hand-sewn espadrilles, traditionally made pottery, local foods, and more. Plus, of course there are plenty of stores selling outdoor apparel and gear to cater to pilgrims hiking the Camino de Santiago.
10. Watch a Game of Basque Pelota
The Basque Country of France and Spain has its own unique and rich culture separate from its home countries. That includes Basque pelota.
Visit Bar Brasserie du Trinquet on Monday nights to see a game for yourself, where the players hit the ball with their bare hands. Note that they do not play outside here during Summer months.
Where to Stay in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
As such a popular starting point among pilgrims hiking the French Way, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port has many accommodation options at varying prices.
📍Budget Option: Gîte Beilari is known to have incredibly welcoming hosts. It’s a pilgrim hostel located on the main street in the old town.
📍Mid-Range Option: Chambres d’Hotes Maison E. Bernat is such an incredibly cozy homey hotel on the main road with INCREDIBLE mountain views from its outdoor space. They have a little cafe with great baguette sandwiches too.
I stayed there before my Camino and would love to stay there again!
📍Luxury Option: Hôtel des Pyrénées is arguably the nicest hotel in town. It’s also one of the largest and is home to the Michelin-recognized restaurant mentioned above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions on Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
How do you get to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port?
There are a number of ways to get to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. The best ways to get there are to travel to Pamplona, Spain or Biarritz, France and continue the journey to SJPDP from there.
What does Pied-de-Port mean?
It means “[at the] foot of [the] pass” in reference to SJPDP’s close proximity to the Pyrenees Mountains.
When was Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port founded?
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port was founded at the end of the 12th century by the kings of Navarre. The town was founded to protect the river and nearby mountain passes.
What is the elevation of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port?
The elevation of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port ranges from 495 to 1,027 feet (151 to 313 m).
Is it worth visiting Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port?
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is an incredibly charming place to visit. It can be hard to get to, but if you’re thinking about starting your Camino there or going to be traveling around towns somewhat nearby, then I recommend it.
It’s such a charming town that feels like something you’d see in a movie to depict a Medieval village. It’s incredibly peaceful with gorgeous mountain views and more affordable than many bigger cities and towns.
How long does it take to walk from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela?
The time it takes to walk from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela along the Camino Francés is typically about a month. However, this time varies based on each individual’s abilities. It took me about 33 days to do the hike, but I probably could have used another rest day if I had more time.
