Hostels and budget hotels in France
From the gastronomic delights of the Loire Valley to haute couture
shopping in Paris, France has a reputation as a chic but not entirely
cheap destination.
But France is actually ideal for budget
travelers – many of the top sights in cities such as Paris are free,
cheap but top quality food is easily available in a bistro or from
local markets, and budget accommodation can be found all over the country, from quaint guesthouses in the countryside to city center hostels.
Not just for students and backpackers, the humble hostel
has had a slick makeover in France, with many properties offering
private and ensuite rooms, and top class facilities as well as regular
dormitories. Here’s a guide to some popular hostels in three main
French cities:
Paris 
One popular Paris hostel is St Christopher’s, part of a
well-established hostel chain with properties in London and Amsterdam.
The St Christopher’s is a modern Paris hostel in the city center, only a few metro stops away from Montmartre and the Gare Du Nord.
It’s the facilities that make this hostel popular with backpackers and
budget travelers alike - there’s a nightclub and bar serving cheap
drinks, a lounge area and restaurant on site, and with a tours and
travel desk, and helpful staff giving out travel tips, it’s the perfect
introduction to Paris. The large private and shared rooms have cool
décor and lockers in the rooms, and best of all, there’s a free
breakfast to fuel up for a day of sightseeing.
 Nice
Most hostels in Nice are
right in the city center, but this converted monastery offers the best
of both worlds – surrounded by scenic countryside and a park of olive,
pine and carob trees, you’re only a short free tram or bus ride into
Nice and the rest of the French Riviera.
This boutique
hostel has all the facilities of a hotel, a lively social calendar and
a whole host of extras geared towards budget travelers. There’s a free
breakfast, internet, and airport pickup, a cheap bar serving drinks for
€1 and a restaurant serving home-cooked pizzas. With a lounge housed in
the old chapel, excursions organized by the hostel and comfortable
shared and private rooms, it’s no wonder this Villa is popular.
Lyon
It’s easy to find hostels in Lyon,
a UNESCO world heritage site, but this scenic city also offers a wide
choice of budget hotels. The Hotel de La Marne is in the heart of
downtown Lyon, and offers refurbished rooms which are thoroughly
modern, with slick décor and flat screen TVs.
With several
restaurants and shops around the corner, the main sites of the city are
all within walking distance. The private ensuite rooms make the hotel a
stylish but reasonable place to stay, and the friendly staff will make
you feel right at home.
This is just a small selection;
there are hostels in other towns and cities too, as well as traditional
youth hostels in cities and much smaller places.
|
|
