Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France close to Ostabat in the Pyrenean foothills. The town is also the old capital of the traditional Basque province of Lower Navarre. This is also a starting point for the Camino Francés, the most popular option for travelling the Camino de Santiago.GeographyThe town lies on the river Nive, 8km from the Spanish border, and it is the head town of the region of Cize (Garazi in Basque). It is made up essentially of one main street with sandstone walls encircling.Neighbouring towns and villages Saint-Jean-le-Vieux Ossès Baigorri Estérençuby Luzaide/Valcarlos (Spain)HistoryThe original town at nearby Saint-Jean-le-Vieux was razed to the ground in 1177 by the troops of Richard the Lionheart after a siege. The Kings of Navarre refounded the town on its present site shortly afterwards.