Refuge Accueil Paroissial Kaserna

Refuge Accueil Paroissial Kaserna in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

Albergue Overview

Type: Refuge Accueil Paroissial Kaserna is a parochial albergue exclusively for pilgrims on foot (pilgrim credential required). Located at the start of the Camino Frances pilgrimage route.
Location: 43 Rue d’Espagne, 64220 Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France — in the heart of the old town, very near the Citadel.
Opened: Operated seasonally from early April to late October.
Accessibility: Historic building; not explicitly noted as fully adapted for reduced mobility.
Contact:
Phone: (+33) 5 59 37 65 17
Email: Not widely listed publicly.
Website: Information via local tourism sites (no dedicated URL found).

Albergue Facilities

Rooms: Two dormitories — one with about 10 beds, the other with 4 beds (total ~14 places).
Prices: ~€25 per person for half-board (dinner + bed + breakfast). Tourist tax (~€1.15) is additional.
Total Capacity: Approximately 14 pilgrims.
Reservations: Not taken in advance; booking possible only by phone **the day before** arrival.
Pilgrim Credential: Required (and only for those walking without vehicle or baggage support).
Operating Season: Open typically from early April to late October each year.
Hours: Check-in usually from 15:00 until around 20:00; early departure next morning; no exits allowed after closing time.

Albergue Amenities

• Communal dinner and breakfast provided by volunteer hospitaleros
• Free Wi-Fi throughout the building
• Heating provided
• Fridge available; small courtyard outdoor space

Pilgrim Insight

Refuge Accueil Paroissial Kaserna is a charming and intimate stop in the old town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port — ideal if you are starting the Camino Francés on foot without baggage support. The small size (just 14 beds) means you’ll likely sleep among a tight-knit group, and the communal meals foster instant connection with fellow pilgrims. The location couldn’t be more convenient—right near the citadel and the old bridge—so you arrive comfortably into town without extra distance.

What many pilgrims appreciate:
– The friendly volunteer team, who create a warm and grounded atmosphere.
– The half-board option which includes dinner and breakfast, simplifying arrival and evening routines.
– Quiet dorms and the sense of beginning the Camino in earnest.

A few practical notes:
– Because beds are so limited, arriving earlier in the afternoon or calling ahead the **day before** is wise.
– Being a traditional parish albergue, amenities are simple—fewer frills compared to larger private hostels.
– The daytime check-in window means a late arrival may complicate access.

If you’re looking for a **quiet, authentic, pilgrim-only** experience at the foot of the Pyrenees to launch your journey, Kaserna is an excellent choice. Buen Camino!

Check out the other Albergues in Saint Jean Pied de Port.

We have also self published a Camino Francés Journal for Pilgrims walking the route so you can record all your day by day memories.  Have fun and journal away…