©Randonneurs Sur Le Boulevard Des Pyrenees|Pau Pyrénées Tourisme

Pilgrim's Way to Santiago de Compostela From Lescar to Pau, towards Spain

Taking the road to Santiago de Compostela is an opportunity to meet yourself, others and nature. Lescar is a stopover on the via Tolosona, which comes from Arles. Whether you’re a pilgrim or just a hiker, you’re very close to Spain! In Lescar, then in Pau, take time out for a welcome break, to recharge your batteries before crossing the Pyrenees, taunting you on the horizon. You’ll discover treasures to nourish body and soul!

Getting there

©Gr653 Saint Jacques Lescar Pau Pyrenees Tourisme Paul Louis 1|Pau Pyrénées Tourisme | PL

©Lescar Refugedelescar Pelerins Pau Pyrenees Tourisme|Pau Pyrénées Tourisme / PL

©Randonneurs De Dos Sur Boulevard Des Pyrenees|Pau Pyrénées Tourisme

Lescar, Episcopal city

Via the GR 653 from Morlaàs or Anoye, or via the GR 65 (route du Puy en Velay), walkers will find a warm welcome and a comfortable, well-equipped refuge in the former episcopal town of Lescar. A stopover that can take you as far as Pau for a visit.

Lescar is remarkable not only for its view of the Pyrenees, but also for its 12th-century Notre Dame de L’Assomption cathedral, the largest Romanesque building in Béarn. Discover the mysterious Romanesque mosaic of the “Moorish hunter”, the treasure trove containing two episcopal crosses (12th and 13th centuries), and the 17th-century murals illustrating the life of the Virgin Mary.

The themes and styles of some of the capitals bear witness to the movement of sculptors along the Arles route.

Discover

The pilgrim spirit

500 pilgrims pass through Lescar every year. A spirit of conviviality and fraternity reigns in the refuge. It’s all based on mutual trust: pilgrims pay €12 per night and can buy food on the spot; use of the facilities is free. The refuge even has a “walking library”: each traveler leaves or takes the book of his or her choice!

“What a joy it is when you get there and see people you’ve met on the road. It’s like we’ve known each other forever!

Le refuge de Lescar of the city

The refuge is reserved for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. It is located in the heart of the medieval town of Lescar, behind the cathedral. Bright and airy, it opens onto a pleasant garden and is well-equipped to meet all the needs of walkers and cyclists on this legendary route:

12 beds in 3 dormitories,
Fully-equipped kitchen
Two showers and 2 WCs
Secure bike room
WIFI
Washing machine and tumble dryer
Convenience store

Shops nearby: bakery, butcher’s…

Pilgrims should go tothe tourist office to pay for their overnight stay and collect their entry code. They will be warmly welcomed by the volunteers, who will be delighted to help…

Discover

The refuge

Pilgrims welcome desk

5, rue Callebraque – Lescar
Tel: 06 34 42 10 22

All about the refuge

Tourist Office

Reservations, reception and credencial sales

The Office is open Tuesday to Saturday, 9am-12pm and 2pm-6pm.
Tel.: 05 59 81 15 98

All about Pau Pyrénées Tourisme

How to get to Lescar

By bus from downtown Pau: 7 km. Idelis line and from Pau train station: Line F (Bosquet stop) then Line 8.
From the airport (7 km), by cab
By bike: Direction route de Bayonne – From Pau (8km)

With my dog

Remember to keep your dog on a leash to avoid accidents with walkers and cyclists.

Via Tolosona

At 1740 km, the via Tolosana is the longest Jacobean route in France: it starts in Arles and passes through Toulouse. It reaches Pau via Maubourguet in the north of the département (with a link to Lourdes via the GR101). Pilgrims cross the Pyrenees via the Aspe valley to Le Somport.

From Lescar, 32 km of demanding road separate you from Oloron-Sainte-Marie, and you’ll make your way through the heart of the Jurançon vineyards to the Commanderie de Lacommande, a unique site in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. You cross the rich Gascon countryside, the hillsides of Béarn and the Vallée d’Aspe. The beauty of the landscape will be your constant companion all the way to the Spanish border.

©Map Chemin Saint Jacques Lescar 1|Pau Pyrénées Tourisme

Béarn paths

Although not pilgrims, many hikers and cyclists follow the GR paths that cross the Béarn region. It’s another way of getting to know our land. The hiking trails are well-marked and well-maintained, but you still need to plan your hike carefully. A map, a charged telephone, water and good shoes are essential. And above all, be respectful of nature and the people you meet!