09 February 2024 | Tourism, UNESCO
Visit to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the Basque Country
Visit to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the Basque Country, a town listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Located in the southwest of France, on the edge of the Spanish border, this village is classified among "The most beautiful villages in France". "Port" from the Latin "portus" means "pass" and recalls its position at the foot of the Pyrenees passes leading to Spain, which is only 8 km away. It is essential for pilgrims from all over the world to travel the route to Santiago de Compostela. The village is considered the gateway or the final stage of the sacred journey. Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is a city whose fortifications date back to the 13th century. You will enjoy strolling through the cobbled streets and feeling its medieval atmosphere. Craft shops promote local know-how and you can have lunch or dinner in superb restaurants typical of Basque cuisine. The natural environment is a marvel. You appreciate the hills, the preserved wild side that surrounds it. Ideal for hiking or cycling. Beautiful panoramas await you. The La Rive river runs through the village and adds charm to the half-timbered houses it winds through.
