Stage of the Camino
Stage Description
A transitional stage between the Landes and the Basque Country. The way leaves Peyrehorade, crosses the Gaves Réunis and follows the Gave d'Oloron upstream to Sorde-l'Abbaye, whose abbey of Saint-Jean, inscribed on the World Heritage List as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France, preserves Romanesque mosaics and an old ferry crossing mentioned in the Codex Calixtinus. From here the ground begins to roll: the route leaves the Landes department, enters Pyrénées-Atlantiques and climbs over the first Pyrenean foothills to Arancou, with its medieval church and the memory of a pilgrims' hospital. A final stretch among meadows and hedgerows descends to the Bidouze valley and reaches Bergouey-Viellenave, two small hamlets joined by a bridge. A short day, with gentle climbs and few services.
This day marks the end of the Landes and the entry into the French Basque Country. Between Peyrehorade and Bergouey the Way leaves the plain, crosses the rivers flowing down from the Pyrenees and gains the first hills, on a route that is short but rich in history.
On leaving Peyrehorade the Gaves Réunis are crossed and the route follows the bank of the Gave d'Oloron upstream over flat ground of meadows and maize fields. Within a few kilometres comes Sorde-l'Abbaye, one of the most important Jacobean landmarks on the route.
The abbey of Saint-Jean de Sorde, founded in the early Middle Ages, is inscribed on the World Heritage List as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France. Its church preserves some notable Romanesque mosaics in the chancel, and beside the river stand the monastic buildings and a cryptoporticus open to the water. The Codex Calixtinus mentions this crossing and warns pilgrims against the ferrymen who charged extortionate fares to cross the river. The village, a former bastide, retains part of its enclosure and a gateway or two.
After Sorde the landscape changes. The way leaves the Landes department, enters Pyrénées-Atlantiques and begins to rise and fall over slopes covered in meadows, bracken and oak woods, with whitewashed farmhouses that already herald Basque architecture. Arancou, on the height, preserves a medieval church with a discoidal stele and the memory of a hospital that sheltered travellers.
The last stretch descends to the Bidouze valley. Bergouey-Viellenave is made up of two small hamlets on either side of the river, joined by an old bridge. The place is very quiet and services are minimal, so it is necessary to arrive with accommodation booked and dinner arranged.
On leaving Peyrehorade the Gaves Réunis are crossed and the route follows the bank of the Gave d'Oloron upstream over flat ground of meadows and maize fields. Within a few kilometres comes Sorde-l'Abbaye, one of the most important Jacobean landmarks on the route.
The abbey of Saint-Jean de Sorde, founded in the early Middle Ages, is inscribed on the World Heritage List as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France. Its church preserves some notable Romanesque mosaics in the chancel, and beside the river stand the monastic buildings and a cryptoporticus open to the water. The Codex Calixtinus mentions this crossing and warns pilgrims against the ferrymen who charged extortionate fares to cross the river. The village, a former bastide, retains part of its enclosure and a gateway or two.
After Sorde the landscape changes. The way leaves the Landes department, enters Pyrénées-Atlantiques and begins to rise and fall over slopes covered in meadows, bracken and oak woods, with whitewashed farmhouses that already herald Basque architecture. Arancou, on the height, preserves a medieval church with a discoidal stele and the memory of a hospital that sheltered travellers.
The last stretch descends to the Bidouze valley. Bergouey-Viellenave is made up of two small hamlets on either side of the river, joined by an old bridge. The place is very quiet and services are minimal, so it is necessary to arrive with accommodation booked and dinner arranged.
Last updated: 03/10/2026
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