Camino Francés - Day 1: Paris to Saint Jean-Pied-de-Port
Today is the first day of my Camino journey to Santiago de Compostela. I left my Paris hotel at 6 AM, feeling both excited and nervous as I walked to Gare Montparnasse to catch my train to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Paris was under a grey sky when I departed, and I arrived in Saint-Jean to downpour, hoping it wasn't a sign of things to come.
At the pilgrim's office, I got my pilgrim passport and chatted with others in line, sharing excitement and nerves while exchanging my first "Buen Camino." After receiving information about crossing the Pyrenees, I checked into my gîte and explored the town, amazed by the views. I made friends with those staying in the same gîte, and one of them invited me to walk together—an offer I gladly accepted.
Route Overview
Train: Paris → Bayonne, Bayonne → Saint Jean-Pied-de-Port
Distance: 817.9 km (Gare Montparnasse → SJPDP Train Station)
Duration: 6 hr 29 min (transportation time)
Cost Breakdown
Train: Paris → Bayonne — €90
Train: Bayonne → Saint Jean-Pied-de-Port — €11.1
Accommodation: Gîte Bidean (booked direct) — €18
Food: €15.4
Pilgrim Passport: €2
