I hiked The Way of St James (GR65) from Le Puy en Velay (beautiful and a very easy place to enjoy yourself) and then onward to Figeac last July. For me an excellent hike, miles of open country, towns and villages, all very interesting, the hospitality of the locals was first class, also loads of English speakers just waiting to practice on you, lots of good food and wine and the route is easy to camp, which is what I did. Great memories! At Figeac I then turned off on the GR6 into the Dordogne and on to Bergerac. Most people were hiking in my direction were going to St. John-pied-de-port and then onto the Spanish part of the trail.
I've been to St. John-pied-de-port before, when I hiked the GR10 in 2015. Again, a very attractive little place and the camp site is right in the middle of the old town.
Personally I've never felt the urge to hike the Camino, having heard more negatives about it than positives. I'm not into religion so from that point of view there is nothing other than a hike in it for me. From what I have been told (negatives) by some hikers, the best advice to get a good experience, is to blaze your own trail across Spain to avoid having to walk alongside a lot of busy roads, being wind and noise blasted by lorries, coaches and the overwhelming drone of other vehicles on the tarmac.
At this moment I am considering a hike to St. Jean-pied-de-port on the GR6 starting from the South of France starting in April or May. I just haven't made my mind up yet. Enjoy your hike and when you are in the Basque region lay into loads of the local Basque Tart, wonderful with a large coffee!