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L’Esprit du Chemin a hostel of, for and by pilgrims
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the hostel
Our hostel is located at the foot of the French Pyrenees, at the crossroad of the Camino de Santiago and the GR 10, which leads from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic Ocean through the mountains. The house stands within the walled part of the town, at the historic Rue de la Citadelle (number 40).
It is assumed that our house was built towards the end of the Middle Ages! It is a typical Bask house: thick walls, beautiful wooden floors, large stairs and in the traditional colours: red and white (> alongside). We are really proud to be in a position to run a hostel in such a lovely house.
Our hostel has four simple and attractive rooms, with a total of 18 places to sleep (2x3, 1x4 en 1x8): 7 bunk beds and 4 single beds.
Downstairs is a kitchen, a second living room and a cosy terrace, where you can sit comfortably and meet other guests. There is a second and a third patio in the garden behind the house, with a very nice view over the village and the mountains. There is also a small “house of inspiration”.
Guests can also use our library, party games and drawing-materials.
Of course, there is a simple bathroom, two hot showers and a place to do laundry (by hand), with a spin-dryer. Here you can also hang out your laundry to dry.
You can safely park your bicycle in our courtyard.
You can spend the night with us and in the evening join an international company for a home-cooked, three-course dinner. In the morning, we prepare a hearty breakfast and make you a packed lunch, if you wish so.
In contrast with the "refugio's" in Spain you can stay with us 2 nights (or more, in case of illness or injury). We strongly recommend you to take a break before crossing the Pyrenees, especially when you have come a long way. It goes without saying that the hostel should not be used as a resort.
More > reservations and travelinfo
In the Middle Ages, hunger and thirst were a great agony to many pilgrims. Not everywhere food was to be found and in addition to that, innkeepers were not always trustworthy. For example, one pilgrim´s song is about an innkeeper in Burgos who, bound to a pole, was pierced by arrows because he had poisoned hundreds of pilgrims.
At "L’Esprit du Chemin" the kitchen is modern, nutritious and healthy. With love and respect for people and nature the “hospitaleros” prepare sound meals, on the basis of what nature has to offer in that time of the season.
mark your departure
If you begin your camino (or a new stage) from our hostel, we invite you to mark your start.
How? We give you a capsule which you can fill with a personal message, a wish, an object, something you like to leave behind ... it's up to you.
Make a special moment of your departure by throwing the capsule yourself into a work of art in our garden (> photo above: our “milecone”).
See more > mark your departure
