Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

Rich by its historical heritage, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port has several architectural treasures protected under the legislation on Historical Monuments.  Historic entrance of the pilgrims on their way to Compostela, coming from Saint-Jean-le-Vieux and the Madeleine district, enter Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port through this gate, cross the city through the streets of the Citadel and Spain towards the Pyrenees and Roncesvalles. On the site of the old medieval castle, the citadel stands at the top of the hill of Mendiguren. Dominating the city and the Nive de Béhérobie by almost 80 meters, it was built around 1625-1627 and improved during the 1640’s. It is a rare and exceptional example of the bastioned fortification as conceived by Vauban’s forerunner engineers. From the castle of the Kings of Navarre to the citadel redesigned following Vauban’s inspection in 1685, you will discover the eminently strategic role of this stronghold, located on the main road of the Ports of Cize, the main crossing of the Pyrenees to Spain .