Arriving to Saint Jean Pied de Port late on Saturday evening left us the whole Sunday to get acquainted with the tiny but idyllic traditional starting point of Camino Francés.
We were staying at the posh Hôtel des Pyrennées and had our breakfast there. Off to the main duties as enrolling at the Pilgrim Office for the first stamp and advice. Although the weather reports had forecasted some thunderstorms, nothing of the sort that I should opt out the Napoleonic route. Obviously. Probably. Hopefully.
Next to the pharmacy hunting. No luck but found a supermarket a little further away. These places are always interesting to go and look if you have time. After our stop at Carrefour off to lunch to sample local delicacies at Hurrup Eta Klik restaurant. Our choice for the dinner chose to close for the evening so had to find something else. The town is full of nice restaurants so not a problem there.
In between we climbed to the imposing Citadelle, just off from the Porte Saint Jacques, leading the pilgrims coming from Le Puy or Vézelay to the town's cobbled streets. A view from the Citadelle over the Pyrennees and nearby villages is worth the steep climb. After an even steeper climb down brings us to the river Neve close to Eglise Notre Dame. Then a nice stroll around the banks of the river brings us to the remaining of the Porte d'Espagne where I will start the camino tomorrow. Ultreia!
