Day 38: Saint‑Jean‑Pied‑de‑Port to Roncesvalles – Over the Pyrenees on the Camino Francés

Day 38: Saint‑Jean‑Pied‑de‑Port to Roncesvalles – Over the Pyrenees on the Camino Francés

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Day 38 is the start of a new chapter. After finishing the Le Puy route (Via Podiensis) and arriving in Saint‑Jean‑Pied‑de‑Port, I’m now beginning the Camino Francés – the second 800 km of this 1,600 km pilgrimage toward Santiago de Compostela.
Today I follow the Napoleon Route from Saint‑Jean‑Pied‑de‑Port to Roncesvalles, climbing steadily into the Pyrenees before crossing from France into Spain. It’s a challenging but scenic day: rolling green slopes, low clouds hanging on the hills, and the steady sound of sheep bells as the path winds upward.
Along the way, I pass through the new pilgrim registration system, meet walkers from around the world, and begin to feel the cultural shift from the French Camino to the Spanish one.
Roncesvalles has a long history of pilgrimages. The 13th‑century Collegiate Church was built by King Sancho VII of Navarre, after the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212, and for centuries, Roncesvalles has been the first major stop for pilgrims after crossing the mountains. In the evening, the communal meal and shared stories give that sense of “strangers turning into friends” that the Camino is known for.
If you’re planning your own Camino Francés, or you’re curious what the first day from Saint‑Jean‑Pied‑de‑Port is really like, I hope this stage gives you a clear picture of the terrain, history, and rhythm of the day.
Thanks for walking with me.
– Jeff
(Le Puy → Saint‑Jean‑Pied‑de‑Port → Santiago de Compostela → Finisterre)
#CaminoFrancés #CaminoDeSantiago #SaintJeanPiedDePort #Roncesvalles #NapoleonRoute #ViaPodiensis #Pilgrimage #YourNextJourney

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