Pilgrims' place

Before long, those walking the Camino de Santiago along the northern coastal route will have have a new Albergue (hostal) to rest their legs in.

At present Gijón's offers accomodation in wooden cabins in a campsite on the outskirts of the city. It is now reported that work will start soon converting the Casa del Paquet, right on the harbour side in the centre of Gijón, into an albergue. It is expected to provide at least 35 beds in 14 rooms, spread over its three floors.

The building is not as old as it looks, having been build in 1918, in 16th century style by a Monsieur Paquet, a frenchman who set up a freight shipping business here as well as acting as French consul.