This is a small french town with a population of about 1500 people.

It dates back to the 12th century and it is a refounding of an earlier town that was sieged and razed by the troops of Richard the Lion Heart in 1177.

St Jean pied de port has a very long history and it is in a very strong strategic point in south west France. It stands at the base of the Ronceveaux Pass which is a way up and over the Pyrenees mountains into Spain. For centuries this was a critical pass for movement of people and troops.

And for centuries now it has been a beginning point for pilgrims who needed to get up and over the Pyrenees mountains on their pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Once you get throughthe pass you arrive at the Spanish town of Roncesvailles where there is a monastery for pilgrims to spend the night.

This map here at left shows the pilgrimage route. It is the light blue line.

This is the path I followed and it is 25.6 kilometers in length which is 15.9 miles. And it makes for a challenging day because you also have to overcome a serious amount of altitude changes. You are getting up and over the Pyrenees mountains through the pass.

This bridge is famous for the pilgrims. They pass over it as they start their journey. It is also in the Martin Sheen movie The Way (Available on amazon through the affiliate link)

This picture is of the inside of the little pilgrims Inn that I stayed in before embarking on my pilgrimage.