SJPDP pilgrim office - why?

[Mananath]

Hi- I will be finishing up the Via Podiensis in a few days and then starting on the Frances from SJPDP. Is there any reason for me to visit the pilgrim office (and probably wait on a long line)?

My credential has tons of space, I don't need a shell and I am very much in the Camino headspace now.

Will I miss anything if I skip it? When I previously walked the Frances I started in Pamplona.

Thanks!

 

[Purky]

If the weather is a bit changeable, you might want to stop by for good advice on the route. Or just a stamp. Other than that, of course, it is not mandatory.

 

[Pafayac]

A visit to the pilgrim office of SJPP is useless for those who do not need advices. After Podiensis you should be in this case.

 

[henrythedog]

Hi- I will be finishing up the Via Podiensis in a few days and then starting on the Frances from SJPDP. Is there any reason for me to visit the pilgrim office (and probably wait on a long line)?

My credential has tons of space, I don't need a shell and I am very much in the Camino headspace now.

Will I miss anything if I skip it? When I previously walked the Frances I started in Pamplona.

Thanks!

None whatsoever. Nice people, free to everyone; but if you don’t need them they’ve a queue to deal with.

 

[JabbaPapa]

1) they always provide good advice, as well as friendliness

2) their information is always most up to date, and their lodging lists, whilst not perfect, will always be an excellent complement to other sources

3) besides, in France, it's considered fairly impolite to not go and give a friendly bonjour...

If you see a long line, shrug, go off and get yourself a coffee, then come back after the line has vanished.

 

[good_old_shoes]

You can get a printed list with all the albergues in the pilgrim office. That list also includes distances between the towns / albergues, availability of kitchens ect. in the albergues, how many beds, prices. ect. Very useful!

Also, a printed info sheet which shows the elevation profile of the way.

It's like a very basic, but very useful guide book.

I always stop there to get a stamp and the accommodation list (and because I like the atmosphere).

 

[Gavala]

New-old or current pilgrim I feel a visit worthy even if just to honor their selfless dedication.

There is no pressure towards purchasing items and I didn't, however they accepted a donation with grace.

 

[donalomahony]

Hi- I will be finishing up the Via Podiensis in a few days and then starting on the Frances from SJPDP. Is there any reason for me to visit the pilgrim office (and probably wait on a long line)?

My credential has tons of space, I don't need a shell and I am very much in the Camino headspace now.

Will I miss anything if I skip it? When I previously walked the Frances I started in Pamplona.

Thanks!

No.

 

[BillW]

I stopped in just to get the stamp.

Also, if you have anything you don't need any longer (for example, Via Podiensis guidebook), you could leave it there to be passed onto other pilgrims.

 

[dfox]

1) they always provide good advice, as well as friendliness

2) their information is always most up to date, and their lodging lists, whilst not perfect, will always be an excellent complement to other sources

3) besides, in France, it's considered fairly impolite to not go and give a friendly bonjour...

If you see a long line, shrug, go off and get yourself a coffee, then come back after the line has vanished.

In addition, SJPdP is the starting point of CF (?)

 

[Keyser]

Go to meet your tribe.

 

[Rmarkob]

Somebody has posted statistics in the forum from that office in the past. I’ve found that to be useful for gauging relative crowds on the CF during various times of the year. Compostela numbers from the pilgrim office in SdeC are skewed by the large numbers of pilgrims on other Camino routes or starting closer to SdeC. So if for no other reason, stop in at SJPP, get a stamp, and have your head counted!

P.S. On my first CF I arrived by bus from Pamplona around 1600, and there was no line. This was during the typically busy third week of September.

 

[Bradypus]

Compostela numbers from the pilgrim office in SdeC are skewed by the large numbers of pilgrims on other Camino routes or starting closer to SdeC.

I would question the idea of "skewed". That seems to imply that SJPDP to Santiago is the norm and other starting points or routes are an aberration. It has been quite some time since SJPDP to Santiago could justifiably claim to be "the Camino". The picture these days is far more complex.

 

[Rmarkob]

I would question the idea of "skewed". That seems to imply that SJPDP to Santiago is the norm and other starting points or routes are an aberration. It has been quite some time since SJPDP to Santiago could justifiably claim to be "the Camino". The picture these days is far more complex.

I meant in terms of gauging how crowded the CF would be during various seasons prior to the merger of other routes as the CF approaches SdeC and prior to Sarria.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

You can get a printed list with all the albergues in the pilgrim office. ... Also, a printed info sheet which shows the elevation profile of the way.

And a paper version of this:

 

[Bradypus]

Unless I wanted a credencial I probably wouldn't visit the pilgrim office and add to their workload. I didn't on my last visit to SJPDP despite staying just across the street in Beilari. I can read a weather forecast fairly well. I don't visit the Santiago pilgrim office these days either. So I will be one of the "invisible" pilgrims as far as the statistics go.

 

[habanerocat]

They have a nice stamp....

 

[LisaWalker]

Hi- I will be finishing up the Via Podiensis in a few days and then starting on the Frances from SJPDP. Is there any reason for me to visit the pilgrim office (and probably wait on a long line)?

My credential has tons of space, I don't need a shell and I am very much in the Camino headspace now.

Will I miss anything if I skip it? When I previously walked the Frances I started in Pamplona.

Thanks!

I didn’t. I still walked it without problems.

 

[RJM]

If one already has a set of credentials obviously a visit to the pilgrim's office in SJPdP isn't a necessity and one isn't required to go there to get a shell to hang off one's backpack.
I always go there simply because I enjoy going there even if I already have a set of credentials. I've never experienced a line to get in and I like to talk and meet with the gracious volunteers. I always get a set of credentials and a stamp even if I already have some. The credentials are only two Euro.
They also provide a packet of other information about the Camino.
The pilgrim's office has a good vibe and it's part of my Camino experience.

 

[Aussiewanderer]

Hi- I will be finishing up the Via Podiensis in a few days and then starting on the Frances from SJPDP. Is there any reason for me to visit the pilgrim office (and probably wait on a long line)?

My credential has tons of space, I don't need a shell and I am very much in the Camino headspace now.

Will I miss anything if I skip it? When I previously walked the Frances I started in Pamplona.

Thanks!

It is all in the timing.. The pilgrim office in SJPP is a cute as a button and the most genuinely beautiful people volunteer there.. That in itself it lovely to just be with people who share what they can to help
people like us... So YES.. I would bc they give you a map and go to great lengths to make sure you leave Basque Country will full understanding of the Walk over the Pyrenees ... if you dont need anything great. But stop in , say Hello, say Thankyou , make a donation.. but dont count it out .. safe journey

 

[Tincatinker]

Arriving off the 14:22 from Bayonne I wandered up to the Bureau Pèlerin to get a "first stamp". That late in the afternoon the volunteer was a bit concerned when I said "No, I didn't need a bed". "Vous allez à Orisson?"" Non, Valcarlos."" Bonne idée".

I'll not pass that way again but I remember the place and the people that staff it with real affection

 

[Mananath]

I stopped in at the office this afternoon. Lovely people. I got a stamp, a map for tomorrow and some conversation. Only waited about 10 min.

I have nothing to compare to but it seems that SJPDP isn't very busy right now.

 

[Aussiewanderer]

I stopped in at the office this afternoon. Lovely people. I got a stamp, a map for tomorrow and some conversation. Only waited about 10 min.

I have nothing to compare to but it seems that SJPDP isn't very busy right now.

Hooray for you !!!! HUGS... Great feeling right... Pay Basque !!!

 

[WGroleau]

You can get a printed list with all the albergues in the pilgrim office. That list also includes distances between the towns / albergues, availability of kitchens ect. in the albergues, how many beds, prices. ect. Very useful!

I found the same list online, but unfortunately, after more than five years, I can’t remember the URI. I say the same because the footer said it was from there.

 

[Tincatinker]

I found the same list online, but unfortunately, after more than five years, I can’t remember the URI. I say the same because the footer said it was from there.

Five years is a long time in the evolution of the Frances. That iteration will not reflect the current situation. Gronze and our friend Wisepilgrim struggle to keep up with the changes. A five year old list has value only as an historical artefact

 

[Linda SLP]

Hi- I will be finishing up the Via Podiensis in a few days and then starting on the Frances from SJPDP. Is there any reason for me to visit the pilgrim office (and probably wait on a long line)?

My credential has tons of space, I don't need a shell and I am very much in the Camino headspace now.

Will I miss anything if I skip it? When I previously walked the Frances I started in Pamplona.

Thanks!

You don't have to stand in line if all you want to do is walk in and look at the boards and see the statistics. If you want somebody to give you

If one already has a set of credentials obviously a visit to the pilgrim's office in SJPdP isn't a necessity and one isn't required to go there to get a shell to hang off one's backpack.
I always go there simply because I enjoy going there even if I already have a set of credentials. I've never experienced a line to get in and I like to talk and meet with the gracious volunteers. I always get a set of credentials and a stamp even if I already have some. The credentials are only two Euro.
They also provide a packet of other information about the Camino.
The pilgrim's office has a good vibe and it's part of my Camino experience.

You actually don't need to stand in line if all you want to do is walk in and look at the boards and statistics and stuff. You need to stand in line if you want to talk to somebody and get your credential stamped and get the paper information they can give you. Just walk into the right of the line and look around.

 

[Woody3715]

In August 2022 my wife and I stopped in at the SJPDP pilgrim office before heading out. We planned to take the Valcarlos route and had a reservation that night in Valcarlos. A person at the pilgrim office said we should not take the Valcarlos route, that it was dangerous, we should take the Route Napolean instead, and we could easily get a reservation in Orisson. He was quite vehement about this. We just ignored him, got our stamp and left. Had a great hike to Valcarlos, which has lodging and a good restaurant, and on the next day a very hot, but great hike to Burquete.

 

[good_old_shoes]

In August 2022 my wife and I stopped in at the SJPDP pilgrim office before heading out. We planned to take the Valcarlos route and had a reservation that night in Valcarlos. A person at the pilgrim office said we should not take the Valcarlos route, that it was dangerous, we should take the Route Napolean instead, and we could easily get a reservation in Orisson. He was quite vehement about this. We just ignored him, got our stamp and left. Had a great hike to Valcarlos, which has lodging and a good restaurant, and on the next day a very hot, but great hike to Burquete.

Sadly the last times I stopped at the pilgrim's office I also got reactions like that when I mentioned I wanted to walk via Valcarlos.

They said it would be all on the busy road (which isn't true, the N135 can be completely avoided until Valcarlos and at least partly after that) and "very dangerous".

I really like the pilgrim office, but their training seems to be in a way that they are advised to keep people from walking the Valcarlos and pushing them towards the Napoleon route, for whatever reason.

I'll certainly stop again in the pilgrim's office the next time I walk, but certainly won't tell them which route I'll take.