I have walked the Camino Frances stage 1 a lot and one of the things I am always asked about is which are the best Albergues in Orisson and will it booked up.
After the initial walk from St Jean Pied de Port up into the Pyrenees getting a bed for the night is a key factor due to limited choice.
Its always a bit nerve wracking wondering if you will get a bed in Orisson after the long walk up from St Jean so I have done some research to provide the details of the accommodation options on offer.
In short I would suggest booking ahead to guarantee getting a bed in Refuge Orisson.
The contact details for my recommendation, Albergue Refuge Orisson, are detailed below for quick access.
Refuge Orisson
- 43 beds
- 40 Euro for bed, dinner and breakfast
- Amenities - Shared Bathrooms
- Open April to October
- Show on Map
- Wifi, Restaurant/Bar, Laundry
Book via their website
Pilgrim passport needed
Great Venue
Amazing dinner experience
orisson
The Camino de Santiago stretches from France to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, Spain and passes through many different cities and towns.
For those who have not yet made the journey on foot, Albergues are available to pilgrims to stay in and offer meals, showers, a place to rest your weary feet, and much more.
Some are amazing and some a bit basic. As we are still in France at this stage the Albergues can be called Gites or a Refuge’s.
I’ve walked this stretch of the Camino Frances many times from St Jean Pied de Port and stayed in the Albergue at Refuge Orisson on my recent walk doing 9 days on the Camino Frances.
In recent years there is also another Albergue that has opened a short 1km walk up the valley called Auberge Borda which I am told is very good as well.
Here’s some helpful advice for selecting the best Albergues in Orisson so you can make the most of your time on the Camino Frances and this fantastic remote hamlet in the mountains.
what to do in orisson
Orisson is a very small hamlet situated in the hills of the Pyrenees and is simply one large bar and restaurant with bedrooms surrounding the property.
There is also a large terrace to relax after the walk from St Jean Pied de Port that has some absolutely amazing views. It’s definately one of the most photographed spots on Stage 1 of the Camino Frances.
Orisson is so small there isn’t anything else to do apart from relax, maybe do some laundry, write in your journal and talk with other Pilgrims about the walk the next day into Spain towards Roncesvalles.
I have detailed the Albergues in Roncesvalles to help with your research and planning on the next stage of your journey to Santiago de Compostela.
If you are having any blister or hot spots after the first day you will need to treat them. To keep any hot spots or blisters at bay i follow the same regime for all my walks on the Camino.
I always take 3 pairs of Merino wool socks and change them at least once during the day. Just after midday is a perfect time to air your feet out and change your walking socks.
You can peg your old socks to the outside of your backpack to air them out if needed.
If I get any hot spots I will make sure I tape them up before I set off with some simple walking tape.
When i finish walking for the day I always wear flip flops to let the air get to my feet and always cream my feet with Gehwol foot cream in the evening.
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Buy on AmazonWhere to eat in Orisson
There is nowhere to get food in Orisson apart from the Bar and restaurant at Refuge Orisson.
If you plan on eating in the small kitchen area you will need to bring your own food with you which you would have had to carry from St Jean Pied de Port.
The accommodation is really pilgrim friendly and is bunk beds in communal rooms and typical of albergues along the trail.
On arrival we enjoyed a few cold beers on the terrace whilst taking in the magnificent views before taking a shower.
Around 6.30pm-7pm there is a communal meal with all the Pilgrims staying in the albergue and on this occasion there was about 40 people having dinner. The dinner is included within the price.
The communal meal is well known for its friendly welcome. As part of the camino dinner celebration they ask every pilgrim to introduce themselves, say where they are from and why they are doing the Camino de Santiago walk.
We heard some interesting stories and really enjoyed this part of the meal especially as we kept bumping into Pilgrims along the way that we had first met in Orisson.
The meal was a simple meal of home made soup, roasted chicken and a lentil stew finished off with an almond tart de Santiago washed down with as much red wine as you can drink.
I recommend staying at Refuge Orisson for this fantastic experience.
The refuge does a simple breakfast of coffee, toast and jam but doesn’t open until about 8am at which time most Pilgrims are already up and walking towards their destination of Roncesvalles or beyond.
Orisson Accomodation
I have stayed in Refuge Orisson and can highly recommend staying there.
I have also talked with numerous Pilgrims and the feedback on Auberge Borda is very good as well so if you plan a stay in between St Jean Pied de Port and Roncesvalles either of these Albergues will be a good choice.
There is also an Albergue about 2.5km before the steep climb into Orisson at a hamlet called Huntto with a pleasant Albergue called Ferme Ithurbia.
I stayed here on an earlier Camino and this is a lovely albergue with a communal meal. This is also a nice place to stop for a cafe con leche if you leave early in the morning from St Jean Pied de Port before the steep hike really begins.
Refuge Orisson
- 43 beds
- 40 Euro for bed, dinner and breakfast
- Amenities - Shared Bathrooms
- Open April to October
- Show on Map
- Wifi, Restaurant/Bar, Laundry
Book via their website
Pilgrim passport needed
Great Venue
Amazing dinner experience
Auberge Borda
- 12 beds
- €40 bed & dinner
- Amenities - Private Bathroom
- Open all year round
- Show on Map
- Cafe Bar, Wifi, Bar, Restaurant
Albergue Ferme Ithurburia
- 22 beds
- €20 per night
- Amenities - Shared Bathrooms
- Open all year round
- Show on Map
- Laundry, Bar, Wifi
One last Tip
After a fantastic evening staying in at the Albergues in Orisson you will have a long day ahead walking over the Pyrenees. On my last Camino we decided to set off early.
The sunrise as you walk from France to Spain is amazing and I highly recommend getting up early and taking it all in.
Get your cameras at the ready !
