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Randonneurs Sur Le Boulevard Des Pyrenees
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Pau Pyrénées Tourisme

The Way of St James From Pau to Lescar, towards Spain

Setting out on the Way of St James means embarking on a journey of self-discovery, connecting with others and with nature. Lescar is a stop on the Via Tolosona, which comes from Arles. Whether you’re a pilgrim or simply a walker, you’re very close to Spain! In Lescar and then in Pau, take the time for a welcome break to recharge your batteries before crossing the Pyrenees, which loom on the horizon. There you’ll discover treasures to nourish both body and mind!

Getting there

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

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Lescar Refugedelescar Pelerins Pau Pyrenees Tourisme
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Pau Pyrénées Tourisme / PL

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Randonneurs De Dos Sur Boulevard Des Pyrenees
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Pau Pyrénées Tourisme

Lescar, a bishopric town

Whether via the GR 653 from Morlaàs or Anoye, or via the GR 65 (the Puy-en-Velay route), walkers will find a warm welcome and a comfortable, well-equipped refuge in the former episcopal city of Lescar. A stopover that could take you on to Pau for a visit.

Lescar is remarkable not only for its views of the Pyrenees, but also for its Cathedral of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption (12th century), the largest Romanesque building in Béarn. Discover the mysterious Romanesque mosaic of the ‘Moorish hunter’, the treasury which houses, among other items, two bishop’s croziers (12th and 13th centuries), and the 17th-century murals depicting the life of the Virgin Mary.

The themes and style of certain capital carvings bear witness to the movement of sculptors along the Arles route.

Everything you need to know about Lescar

The pilgrim spirit

500 pilgrims pass through Lescar every year. The hostel is imbued with a spirit of friendliness and camaraderie. Everything is based on mutual trust: each pilgrim pays €12 for their overnight stay and can buy food on site; use of the facilities is free of charge. The hostel even has a ‘travelling library’: every traveller can leave or take away a book of their choice!

“It’s such a joy when you get there and see people again whom you’ve met along the way. It feels as though you’ve known each other all your life!”

The Lescar mountain refuge of the city

The hostel is reserved for pilgrims undertaking the Way of St James. It is situated 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 travelling along this legendary route:

12 beds spread across 3 dormitories,
A fully equipped kitchen
Two showers and two toilets
Secure bike storage
Wi-Fi
Washing machine and tumble dryer
Convenience shop

Right next door, you’ll find local shops: a bakery, a butcher’s…

Pilgrims must go to the tourist information office to pay for their overnight stay and collect the entry code. They will receive a warm welcome from the volunteers, who are happy to provide any information they may need…

Discover the pilgrims’ hostel

For our pilgrim friends How to get to the refuge From Pau railway station

On foot(8 km – 2 hours 30 minutes)

From the forecourt of Pau SNCF station, follow the dedicated signposts along the footpath to the refuge.

Tip:
By scanning the QR code on the signposts, you can access an interactive map that will guide you to the mountain hut.
Click here to view the map.

By bike(8 km – 30 mins)

From the station, hire your electric bike from the Idécycle self-service station. Then head towards Lescar via the Bayonne road (RN 117).

When you arrive at the foot of the medieval town, leave your bike at the Idécycle station on Chemin de Bénéharnum. The refuge is near the cathedral, about a 10-minute walk away.

By bus(8 km – 35 mins)

From Pau SNCF station, take the F bus (Fébus).
Get off at the ‘Barthou – Beaumont’ stop. Change to line 8 – towards Poey-de-Lescar – and get off at the ‘Lycée Jacques Monod’ stop in Lescar.

Tip:
Check the timetables at the Idélis bus stop.

By taxi(8 km – 18 mins)

There is a taxi rank on the station forecourt. As drivers may be out on a fare, we advise you to contact them directly on arrival:Choosing a taxi

The Via Tolosona

At 1,740 km, the Via Tolosana is the longest Way of St James route in France: it starts in Arles and passes through Toulouse. It reaches Pau via Maubourguet in the north of the department (it is possible to continue on to Lourdes via the GR101). Pilgrims cross the Pyrenees via the Aspe Valley to Somport.

From Lescar, a challenging 32 km stretch lies between you and Oloron-Sainte-Marie. You’ll walk through the heart of the Jurançon vineyards towards the Commanderie de Lacommande, a unique site in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. You’ll pass through the lush Gascon countryside and the hillsides of Béarn on your way to the Aspe Valley. The beauty of the landscape will be your most faithful travelling companion all the way to the Spanish border.

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Map Chemin Saint Jacques Lescar 1
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Pau Pyrénées Tourisme

The shelter

Pilgrims’ Information Desk

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

Everything you need to know about the refuge

Tourist Information Office – Lescar

Bookings, reception and sale of credencials

Our office in Lescar is open from Wednesday to Saturday, 9am–1pm and 2pm–6pm
Tel.: 05 59 81 15 98

Find out all about Pau Pyrénées Tourisme

Credential

As all pilgrims know: there’s no Camino without a credencial!

The Tourist Office sells them at its shops in Lescar and Pau.

How and when can you visit us?

With my dog

Please remember to keep your dog on a lead to avoid any accidents involving walkers and cyclists.
And for dog lovers of all kinds, discover loads of ideas here!

Trails of the Béarn

Even if they aren’t pilgrims, many walkers and cyclists follow the GR trails that criss-cross the Béarn region. It’s another way of exploring our local area. The walking trails are signposted and well-maintained, but it’s still essential to plan your walk carefully. It’s vital to have a map, a fully charged mobile phone, water and good walking shoes. And above all, please be respectful of nature and the people you meet!