St. Jean Pied de Port is a small town in the Basque region of France (Pays Basque) in southwestern France on the river Nive, 8 km (5.0 mi) from the Spanish border. The largest city nearby is Bayonne. If you are going to St. Jean Pied de Port you'll probably have to change trains in Bayonne and continue on to St. Jean Pied de Port. (How to Get To Saint Jean Pied de Port from Spain)
St. Jean Pied de Port is one of the traditional starting points of the Camino de Santiago, the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostella in Spain. Pied-de-Port means 'foot of the pass' as the town sits at the base of base of the Roncevaux Pass through the Pyrenees. There is a pilgrimage office along at 39 rue de la Citadelle, the main street in town.
Besides pilgrims getting their credentials before starting their pilgrimage, you'll find day trippers and shoppers in St. Jean. There are plenty of restaurants, many of them touristy, but I found the food quite good overall. Foodies will want to flock to the Hotel Les Pyrenees (book direct), with a Michelin star, which is also known for its quiet and inviting rooms.
Despite the charm, you won't find a whole lot to do in town, a single night or day trip is plenty, although you might want to use the town as a hub for visiting other cities in the Pays Basque.
St. Jean Pied de Port is also a hub for people out to explore the Pyrenees mountains.
