HOSTELLING IN PARIS
Paris on a Budget, the Best Hostels Not Just for Students
Paris is
one pricey city, and with the rising cost of the euro, even croissants
are more costly these days. Luckily, with a little know how, you can
have
a cheap, yet still chic city break in Paris and discover the city on a
shoestring. There
are a surprising number of free things to see and do in Paris. All
of Paris’ churches
and cathedrals, from Notre Dame to the Sacre Coeur, are free to enter
and offer some of the city’s most impressive architecture. Gargoyled
Notre Dame may take some waiting in line, but the domed
edifice on the top of the mount of martyrs is easily entered, though
the climb up the
steps may leave you a little winded. It may sound a little
morbid, but exploring Paris’ great cemeteries can make for a
fascinating afternoon. The Pere Lachaise and Montparnasse cemetery
are home to
graves of the
iconic artists that define the city of light from Jean-Paul Sartre
to Jim Morrison.
The Louvre is free
on the first Sunday of the month, but you can also visit this famous
gallery of classic art for less (and minus the crowds)
on Wednesday and Friday evenings (see Visiting The Louvre).
For the dabs and swirls of colors from Degas to Van Gogh, the Musee D’Orsay
is a surprisingly underrated gallery, with an extensive collection of
Impressionist Art, tickets only around 5 Euros on a Sunday. The Petit
Palais is another less familiar but beautiful gallery of the age of Beaux
Arts (see Petit Palais)
Budget Accommodation - Hostels in Paris
Paris can be an expensive city for hotels, but if budget is a prime concern, book a Paris Hostel for the best value accommodation. Hostels have come a long way from their days as shared dorms for cash-strapped backpackers. Alongside the more basic youth hostels, a fresh crop of boutique and stylish budget rooms have been springing up, catering to travelers looking for great value accommodation. It’s easy to find a comfortable Paris hostel in the city center, some with the same facilities as hotels.
Best Bet Paris Hostels
The St Christopher’s Inn on the Seine River just two stops on the Metro from Montmartre and Gare du Nord is the most modern purpose built hostel in Paris, popular with backpackers and budget minded tourists for its low cost rooms and social atmosphere with live music in the Belushi’s Bar and nightclub. This large hostel has a female only floor and offers free breakfast and wi-fi. They also can arrange a package of sightseeing tours and activities. 64-72 Quai de la Siene
The Aloha Hostel is a more intimate style hostel, with a maximum of four people per shared room, located in a beautifully renovated old Paris apartment building, within walking distance of the Eiffel tower and the Arc de Triomphe. There’s a free city tour if you want a local’s guide to the city. 1, Rue Borromée
The Bastille
Apartments in the 11th arrondissement, close to the Place
de la Bastille, are a collection of 2-3 person studios and one bedroom
apartments sleeping 4, suiting families and couples seeking a little
privacy. Each apartment has its own kitchenette, living space and private
bathroom, with cool modern furniture, and loads of space. 16 Rue De La
Folie Regault
The Le Village Hostel is a very popular hostel in the
Montmartre District of past poets and artists in view of the famed Sacre
Coeur Church. The
Village is what one thinks of when mentioning youth hostel, but offers
double rooms as well as dormitories in an atmospheric stay with exposed
wood beams from the 19th Century in the lobby and a book reading corner.
20 Rue D'orsel.
The Absolute Hotel bills itself as Paris’ first budget hotel. Located
in the heart of one of Paris’ trendiest districts in front of
the Canal St Martin. With 95 beds, all the rooms at the Absolute are
ensuite,
5 min walk to the Place du Republique and 10 minutes to the Le Marais
and Bastille. 1 Rue de la Fontaine au Roi
The Le Montclair Montmartre Hostel is located at the
back of the Montmartre Hill in the neighborhood where artists like Picasso
and Modigliani
spent their Parisian Bohemian days. Chill out in the updated lobby
to plan
a walking tour to the Clignancourt Flea Market and the hip bars and
restaurants of the Rue des Abbesses. Double and Twin Rooms are available
and breakfast
is included. 62 Rue Ramey
Bargain Shopping in Paris
Paris may
be famous for its chic designer boutiques, but the flea markets in
Clignancourt are where you’ll find the real bargains. The Marais
is also full of great vintage shops, where you can find offbeat fashion
for around five Euros a pop, or the Passage De Choiseul between the
Louvre and the Opera with its indoor designer discount shops
Eat on the Cheap
French cuisine is some of the best in the world, using only the finest ingredients - luckily this makes eating cheaply a breeze in Paris. Just visit a food market or French supermarket, and you can stock up on top quality cheeses, fresh bread and fruit for a couple of Euros, and then make a little picnic in the Jardin de Luxemburg. Parisian street food is also cheap and very tasty. In the Marais go for Falafel in a pita, and street vendor crepes stuffed with any filling imaginable make the perfect French snack for eating while walking to your next vision. © Bargain Travel Europe
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permission.
See Also:
EUROSTAR
- LONDON TO PARIS NORD
EIFFEL
TOWER - ONLINE TICKETING
PARIS ELEGANCE ON A 3-STAR BUDGET
