Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port feels like a ceremonial beginning. Pilgrims collect their credentials, examine the weather over the Pyrenees and pass through the Porte Saint-Jacques before the first climb. Reaching the town takes a little planning, especially after a long-haul flight, and the best solution is often to spend a few days in France first.
The usual railway journey runs from Paris Montparnasse toward Bayonne, followed by the regional train to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Some services pass through Bordeaux and Dax. The fastest through journeys can take a little over five hours, but schedules and connections vary. Check the complete itinerary on SNCF Connect for your actual date and avoid planning a tight connection on the same day as an intercontinental arrival.
Paris: the simplest first stop
Paris is the obvious choice when flights arrive at Charles de Gaulle or Orly. Two or three nights give enough time for a proper introduction without exhausting yourself before a long walk. Choose a few places rather than crossing the city repeatedly: the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay, the Île de la Cité and Sainte-Chapelle, the Marais, Montmartre, or an evening beside the Seine.
The train toward southwest France normally departs from Gare Montparnasse. Charles de Gaulle Airport and Montparnasse are on opposite sides of Paris, so an airport arrival and a southbound train should not be treated as a quick station change. An overnight in Paris removes that pressure.
For a smooth start, stay within easy reach of Montparnasse on the final night. You can have breakfast, take the train south and arrive in Saint-Jean with time to check in and prepare your daypack. We normally recommend two nights in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. This gives you a full day to recover from the journey, explore the old town, visit the Pilgrims’ Office, check the mountain weather and buy anything you have forgotten. You can then begin the long Pyrenean crossing rested and after breakfast, with the whole walking day ahead of you.
Bordeaux: an elegant break in the railway journey
Bordeaux works particularly well between Paris and the Basque Country. The TGV from Paris reaches Bordeaux Saint-Jean in roughly two hours on the fastest services, and onward trains continue toward Dax and Bayonne.
Allow at least one night, preferably two if wine is an important part of the trip. The eighteenth-century riverfront, Place de la Bourse, the Golden Triangle and the Chartrons district are easy to explore on foot. La Cité du Vin gives a broad introduction to wine regions and trading history. A full extra day makes room for Saint-Émilion or a private visit to a Médoc estate, although winery appointments should be reserved well ahead.
Bordeaux suits travelers who want gastronomy, architecture and wine before the simplicity of the trail. It also breaks a long Paris-to-Saint-Jean journey into two comfortable rail days.
Bayonne: the practical gateway with a strong identity
Bayonne is where most rail passengers change to the local train for Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Staying overnight turns a connection point into one of the most rewarding stops in the French Basque Country.
The old town stands around the Nive and Adour rivers, with tall shuttered houses, covered arcades and the Gothic Cathedral of Sainte-Marie. Bayonne is known for chocolate and cured ham, but its real appeal before the Camino is atmosphere: compact streets, Basque food and a clear sense that the Pyrenees are close.
The regional line from Bayonne follows the Nive valley through Cambo-les-Bains and other small stations to Saint-Jean. Engineering work can occasionally replace part of the train journey with a bus, so read the service notice on the booking rather than assuming every departure operates identically.
Biarritz: two nights beside the Atlantic
Biarritz offers a different beginning: ocean air, beaches and Belle Époque resort architecture. It is close to Bayonne but has its own character. Walk from the Grande Plage to the Rocher de la Vierge, visit Les Halles for food, and watch surfers below the cliffs.
The rail station is outside the most attractive central and beachfront districts. Travelers with large bags may prefer a taxi between the station and hotel. From Biarritz, return by train to Bayonne for the Saint-Jean service, or arrange a private road transfer directly to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
Biarritz makes most sense for travelers who want to recover from a flight or enjoy the coast. One night can feel rushed; two nights allow one full day without unpacking merely to repack.
Lourdes: pilgrimage before pilgrimage
Lourdes adds a Catholic pilgrimage of a very different kind. Since the reported Marian apparitions to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858, the Sanctuary has received pilgrims from around the world. The Grotto of Massabielle, the basilicas, candlelight procession and baths create a powerful experience even for visitors who do not share the same religious practice.
Lourdes lies on the railway corridor linking Toulouse, Pau, Bayonne and the Atlantic coast. It is not on the direct Paris-to-Saint-Jean route used by the fastest trains, so include it as a deliberate detour. Two nights work well: arrive, devote a full day to the Sanctuary and town, then continue by rail toward Bayonne. A private transfer can connect Lourdes with Saint-Jean directly when train times are inconvenient.
This is the most meaningful option for parish groups, Catholic families and travelers who want time for prayer before beginning the Camino. Ultreya Tours can also arrange Masses for private groups during the Camino.
Pau: a quieter view of the Pyrenees
Pau developed as a royal and winter resort city, with views from Boulevard des Pyrénées toward the mountains. The Château de Pau is associated with Henri IV of France, while the old quarter and market make the city easy to enjoy over one or two nights.
Pau has direct rail connections with Paris and regional services toward Lourdes, Bayonne and Biarritz. It suits travelers who want a smaller city and a good meal before the Camino, or those combining Lourdes with the Basque Country. From Pau, continue to Bayonne and change for Saint-Jean, or reserve a private transfer.
How many days should you add?
With two extra nights, choose Paris, Bordeaux, Bayonne or Biarritz and stay in one place. With four or five nights, Paris plus Bordeaux or the Basque coast forms a natural sequence. Lourdes and Pau work together for travelers who have nearly a week and accept that the route is less direct.
Do not fill the final day with sightseeing and transfers. Keep those two nights in Saint-Jean at the end of the plan rather than using the town as a quick connection. Our Full French Way from Saint-Jean includes time there before the first walking stage. For flight and railway choices, continue with our French Way airport guide.
