Alburgue Focus
The popular new Borda Albergue is the last Alberge before Spain on the Camino Frances.
Situated at the edge of a wood, an old shepherd’s hut has been rehabilitated into an inn. The albergue opened its doors in 2021.
It is an ideal place to stop to break the difficult Napoleon route over the Pyrenees mountains into two sections. This is due to it’s location just 9km from Saint Jean Pied a Port.
Facilities
Each dormitory has four single beds with curtains for privacy, a plug and reading light. They share a common bathroom for the dormitory. The room offers wi-fi, a sitting area and a hairdryer.
Dinner, bed and breakfast are included in the price. Online bookings are available on the website: www.aubergeborda.com
Reviews
Since its opening the albergue has received many rave reviews.
A number of these reviews mention
- how well organised it is,
- the spectacular views,
- the friendly and accomodating host,
- heat,
- the nice and cosy rooms and
- the exceptional food, which includes dinner, breakfast and optionally a bagged lunch.
One pilgrim review by Africakind on Booking.com in August 2022 described a home-made dinner (vegetable soup, potato and courgette gratin with beans or bolognaise sauce and plentiful red wine) and a lovely breakfast with fresh fruit.
“We didn’t go for the sandwiches (5 Euro) and regretted it as we were walking past Roncesvalles and there was nothing open at 13:30.”
Another review by Jen, also in August 2022 advises that dinner is not until 7pm. As a result it is advisable to bring food with you for lunch or to stop off at Orisson along the way, she says.
Steven, another pilgrim leaving a review on Booking.com said that dinner was family style and one of the best meals he had in France, which is echoed by another pilgrim review by Paul who called it “one of the best meals” he had ever eaten.
Eco-friendly
The facilities are eco-friendly, including solar heated showers (timed and limited to 4/5 minutes per person).
The water is rainwater and it therefore isn’t possible to do handwashing. A washing machine and tumble dryer is available though. The albergue is solar powered.
The host speaks four languages and has good knowledge and practical advice and personal experience on the Camino, pilgrims report.