Bonjour and welcome to our collection of the absolute best hostels in France.
It may be surprising that although France is famous for world class destinations such as Paris, there are not too many outstanding hostels.
But we’re not saying there aren’t any. Oh yes, we’ve found all of the hostels worth knowing, for sure!
If anything, having less hostels to choose from makes your planning easier, right?
Are these really the top hostels in France?!
Oui oui!
The accommodations we share are perfect for Backpackers, solo-travellers, social butterfly’s that like to meet new people.
There truly are some gorgeous design hostels in this part of Europe. Only since 2017, hostels in France became better and better. Before, that was not a big thing here.
From now on you can enjoy epic roof top terraces in Paris, beach town hostels and surf hostels.
Read: best hostels in Europe
We are Hostelgeeks and we discover the world’s greatest hostels, including the best hostels in France.
At the end of this article you’ll spot a big hostel map which is really helpful for your planning. Maps are super useful!
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List of Cities in France with great hostels
Let’s waste no more time and jump right in to this great French hostel collection.
Here are all the destinations we cover in this guide:
- Paris
- Lille
- Les Alpes
- Dol-de-Bretagne
- Strasbourg
- Marseille
- Cassis
- Nice
- Sète
- Bordeaux
- Soorts-Hossegor
- Lyon
- Rennes
- Toulouse
- Chamonix
- Carcassonne
- Map with all the best French hostels we recommend
- FAQ
- Flights to France
- Promo codes, discounts and How to book hostels in France
- More Guides for your Europe Trip
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Our Favorite Hostels in France put on a map + sights
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Good to know: you’ll notice that almost all of the destinations have just one hostel recommendation.
This is because we couldn’t find another hostel worth mentioning that we would want to recommend to our friends and family.
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🗼 Best Hostel in Paris: | Generator Paris |
| 🚢 Best Hostel in Marseille: | Vertigo Vieux-Port |
| 🏰 Best Hostel in Lyon: | Away Hostel & Coffee Shop |
| 🍷 Best Hostel in Bordeaux: | Central Hostel Bordeaux Center |
| 🏄♂️ Best for Surfing: | Jo&Joe in Soorts-Hossegor |
| 🎒 Best for Backpackers in Sète: | Georges Hostel & Cafe |
| 🌊 Best for Sea-Lovers in Nice: | La Maïoun Guesthouse |
| 🧘 Best Cosy Hostel in Strasbourg: | Ciarus |
| 🏰 Best Hostel in Carcassonne: | Le Couvent – Hostel |
| 🎿 Best ski hostel in Chamonix: | Auberge de Jeunesse HI Chamonix Mont-Blanc |
| 🪐 Beautiful hostel in Toulouse: | Eklo Toulouse |
| 🦉 Best Hostel in Rennes: | Les Chouettes Hostel |
Best Hostels in Paris
Paris is certainly a must-see destination for many travelers.
The Eiffel Tower, the many coffee shops… but did you also know it’s a city home to some truly great hostels? They are:
- Generator Paris
- Les Piaules
- St. Christopher’s Inn Gare Du Nord
- Caulaincourt Montmartre
- The People – Paris Belleville
- Beau M
Find our detailed guide to the 3 best hostels in Paris, hostels in Paris near the Eiffel Tower, and backpacker hostels in Paris.
Also, make sure you read our tips on 27 fun things to do in Paris.
1. Generator Paris
Our #1 recommendation in the city of lights is Generator Paris, with its fresh design, top location, and awesome terrace views overlooking Paris.
It’s a great choice for solo travelers – head to the bar and ground floor cafe and strike up a conversation with someone new.
There’s also a games room, shared lounge, and a continental breakfast served daily.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
2. Les Piaules Hostel (Paris)
Les Piaules is a great hostel as it offers something for an array of traveller types, including digital nomads, couples, and female solo travellers.
Enjoy time up on the rooftop marveling over iconic monuments as you sip your coffee. Or get cosy in the on-site bar with a local beer.
All of the rooms have a shared bathroom, and bed linen and towels can be rented.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
3. St. Christopher’s Inn Gare Du Nord (Paris)
Considered the #1 hostel in Paris by many, St. Christopher’s Gare Du Nord has a lot to offer their guests:
- 3 in-house bars (yes, three!)
- 9th district location, 500m from the train station
- Free gym
- 24-hour reception
- Continental breakfast w/ croissants
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in Lille: The People – Lille (5-Star Hostel)
Lille’s The People – Lille is hip, stylish, and full of recycled furniture.
The previous name of this hostel was Gastama hostel.
It’s certainly inviting and deserves to be our only 5 Star Hostel in this part of France!
We love The People – Lille because of the…
- Bar and restaurant open to guests and locals
- Central location 10 mins from the main square of Lille
- Extensive room choices (inc. female dorms)
This is THE hostel for solo travelers, couples, friends, and small groups… you name it.
The in-house bar is also very popular among locals. Join the different events and taste the numerous beers they offer here.
After Lille, you might want to add Ghent, Bruges, and Brussels to your bucket list.
Read: Best hostels in Bruges, Belgium.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld | Full Review
Coolest Hostels in Les Alpes: The People Hostel – Les 2 Alpes
Get ready for a brand-spanking-new hostel with 362 beds on offer. Woah, The People Hostel – Les 2 Alpes is huge!
Yet the consistently high rating shows that although a big place, it does not lack that personal touch from staff and an inclusive social atmosphere.
All of the 43 dorms come with an en-suite and a lockable safe accessed by your very own wristband. Snazzy.
As for amenities, get excited for a big restaurant, bar, sunny terrace, and large chill-out area with deep couches.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in Dol-de-Bretagne: Edd Hostel
If visiting the fantastic Mont-Saint-Michel is on your radar, you couldn’t be better located than at Edd Hostel.
It’s the closest hostel and just 900 meters from the main street!
Solo female travelers have a wonderful 6-bed female dorm option here. It’s private, clean, safe, and comfortable.
The best way to explore the region is by car. Seriously, a road trip in this area is a lifetime adventure!
Make it your home base and go out there.
Note: the maximum period of stay is 5 days.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in Strasbourg
Serving as the capital of Alsace, Strasbourg boasts one of Europe’s most extensive medieval quarters. The city captivates visitors with its charming villages, majestic castles, and cobbled pathways, where centuries-old, timber-framed buildings continue to stand proudly.
The city is a treasure trove of history and culture, from the German-inspired districts to the imposing 17th-century fortifications crafted by Vauban.
Here are its best hostels:
Ciarus
Ciarus is more like a hotel than a hostel when it comes to cleanliness and order.
For that reason, it might not be the best choice for solo travellers looking to meet people.
Facilities include a self-service restaurant and games room. In the dorms, you’ll find complimentary towels and toiletries in the bathrooms.
Ciarus is located in the center of the city, close to all the main interests of Strasbourg.
In Strasbourg, we love the old town area and the neighborhood of “La Petite France.”
Get the list here and enjoy the non-touristy city! Here is a guide on things to do in Strasbourg.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
The People Hostel – Strasbourg
This pastel-colored hostel is housed in a former tobacco factory that is now designated as a Historic Monument by the French government.
In addition to this unique setting, The People Hostel offers a wide array of facilities and amenities like its outdoor terrace, a variety of indoor spaces, and a restaurant a bar. There’s also free wifi and evening entertainment, and a 24-hour front desk.
Strasbourg has a lot to offer, and this hostel’s location is close to most of the city’s attractions as well.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld | HostelZ
Best Hostels in Marseille: Vertigo Vieux-Port
Vertigo Vieux-Port is a modernized Marseillean house, with each room carefully designed by a local artist according to the unique character of the space.
Staff is at hand 24/7, and there is a bunch of free amenities, including breakfast and a fully-equipped kitchen with spices.
Both the shared rooms and common areas are spacious and great places to get the conversation rolling.
For even more options in this beautiful city, have a look at our best hostels in Marseille guide.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in Cassis: Cassis Hostel
Opt for Cassis Hostel if you like the sound of
- Relaxing in an outdoor pool
- Listening to cicadas in the garden
- Enjoying a free breakfast on the terrace
Inside there is a large living room with books, plus a fully-fitted kitchen at your disposal.
From here, you can enjoy sea views and a 5-minute walk to the port of Cassis.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Great Hostels in Nice
Luckily for you, the French Riviera has not 1 but 3 wonderful hostels in store for you.
Read our full guide to the 3 best hostels in Nice here.
1. La Maïoun Guesthouse (Nice)
This ancient temple from 1855 now boasts modern comforts in a great city spot just 500m from the beach.
It’s a basic design that female solo travelers and backpackers will appreciate. The free tea and coffee and balcony with garden views are a real highlight.
Read: Best Beach Hostels in Europe
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
2. Hôtel Ozz by Happyculture (Nice)
If you prefer an artsy music scene that’s Instagram-friendly, opt for Hôtel Ozz by Happyculture.
There’s a pretty cool rooftop suite for cute couples and cozy dorms of 3-6 people with ready-made beds and large windows.
It’s a short walk to the Promenade des Anglais, and train access is easy from here.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
3. Villa Saint Exupery Beach Hostel (Nice)
Looking for fun and social vibes?
Villa Saint is the place to be if you enjoy organized activities, local tours, and a drink or two to end the day.
Alongside the bar, there is a 24/7 gym and sauna on-site. Cool!
Rooms vary in size over shared dorm and private options.
Just be aware that you may think you’ve booked a hotel room by accident once you see the amenities.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in Bordeaux:
Ah… Wine! We love to sip on it (responsibly), especially when we are in Bordeaux. This is a city of a thousand flavors of wine, history, and culture, and here are our favorite hostels right in the middle of all of these dimensions:
- Whoo Bordeaux Bacalan Hostel – best for Digital Nomads
- JOST, Bordeaux – best for Socializing
- Central Hostel, Bordeaux – best for Solo Travelers
We also have a guide on the best hostels in Bordeaux with more details!
Central Hostel Bordeaux Center
Sorry to point out the obvious, but Central Hostel Bordeaux Center is, well, central!
That means 20 minutes from the train station and just two steps from the longest pedestrian street in Europe.
What makes this hostel special is the custom-made dorm beds.
Enjoy a luxury mattress, night light, individual storage, USB plug, and privacy blind.
There will be zero rocking and creaking in these bunk beds.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in Sète: Georges Hostel & Cafe
Let’s kick off this list in South France. In a tiny village called “French Venice,” but actually named Sète. We love it here!
Our one and only hostel recommendation in Sète, Georges Hostel & Cafe, is great for all traveler types, from backpackers to families.
The coffee shop is open to guests and locals alike – a great place to exchange stories and culture.
There’s high-speed wifi and intimacy in the dorm rooms that are worthy of a private room (almost!).
It’s also the location that caught our attention. The main train station is 10 minutes away and it’s just a few steps to the famous cover market full of delicious local food.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in Soorts-Hossegor: Jo&Joe
Here we have a cool hostel that has a unique partnership with Quiksilver & Roxy surf school. Stay here and enjoy 10% off surf lessons!
This hostel is also on our list of “best beach hostels in the world.”
Dorm beds come with individual lamps, USB ports, and linen. We highly recommend this hostel for surfing enthusiasts and backpackers.
Some of the dorms come with double beds – perfect for sociable couples!
There’s also a bar, bikes for rent, and a Happy House common area that includes a living room and kitchen space.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in Lyon – the better Paris?
We have written a super detailed guide on the 3 best hostels in Lyon. These are:
- Le Flâneur Guesthouse – best for Solo Travellers
- SLO Living Hostel – best for Female Solo Travellers
- Away Hostel & Coffee Shop – best for Couples
Brand new on the block is the wonderful Away Hostel & Coffee Shop.
This beautiful chic hostel is ideal for sociable travellers that like to meet people by day and enjoy a private rest by night. Just look at those amazing dorms and hand-crafted beds!
Alongside an onsite coffee shop, there is also a bar (with nightly Happy Hour) and super fun activities for a range of traveller types.
From yoga and brunch to movie nights and free walking yours. Just speak to the friendly staff and find out what’s going on during your stay.
Read: 8 cool things to do in Lyon, France.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostel in Rennes: Les Chouettes Hostel
We love the coziness of this hostel in Rennes. JUST LOOK AT IT. The overall interior oozes comfort and familiarity, and although the areas and dorms are a bit smaller than they look in the pictures, we think this makes them more snug.
Les Chouettes Hostel provides a few common areas, including a balcony surrounded by trees and cool views of Rennes throughout the property.
You’ll also find a bar and restaurant on-site where you can get a delicious buffet breakfast in. Their location is very convenient: a quick walk away from various train stations, downtown, and a beautiful park next to the river.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld | HostelZ
Best Hostel in Toulouse: Eklo Toulouse
Wood accents, dark and warm colors, delicious food, and an awesome location. These are a few terms that qualify Eklo Toulouse and why we think it’s one of the best hostels in France.
If you’re not convinced, just look at the pictures below. This hostel also has a bar, a shared kitchen (weirdly enough, that’s a rarity in France), a lounge, a terrace, a restaurant, and evening entertainment.
For morning birds and plant-eaters: breakfast is available, and they even have vegetarian options!
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld | HostelZ
Best Hostel in Chamonix: Auberge de Jeunesse HI Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Skiing might not be everyone’s budget sport of choice, but there’s no reason that you shouldn’t participate in the activity if you really want to. If you feel like hitting the slopes of France on a budget, staying at Auberge de Jeunesse HI Chamonix Mont-Blanc is a great way to cut back on your spending – you can even buy ski passes right from their reception desk.
Apart from being easier on your wallet, it’s awesome in its own right, even if you don’t like skiing: a garden, free parking, a shared lounge, a terrace, a restaurant, a bar, a BBQ area – all this at the foot of the Les Bosson glacier.
They’re housed in a chalet that also offers beautiful views of Mont Blanc, and they even have lots of discounts on summer activities like paragliding, rafting, and climbing.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld | HostelZ
Best Hostel in Carcassonne: Le Couvent – Hostel
This small youth hostel in Carcassonne features exposed brick walls and warmed-toned colors throughout its property and offers travelers a homey space to sleep in after a busy day of exploring the town.
Le Couvent – Hostel has a restaurant and bar and a patio to relax in during the warmer months – and yes, breakfast is available!
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld | HostelZ
All Hostels on a Map
Now you have all the information you need to decide on where to stay in France in style and on a budget.
Why not plan an epic road trip designed to visit your favorite hostels on this list?
On the map below, you will find all mentioned hostels to make your planning even easier.
(You can open the sidebar in the map to activate and deactivate groups. Open the map here.)
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Our Favorite Hostels in France put on a map + sights
Any questions about hostels in France?
🤔Join our Facebook Group and TikTok here!
Ask all your questions and connect with like-minded wanderers 🔥
FAQ
Alright, you should have found your accommodation already. Below we list all the frequently asked questions. Have a look.
What are the best hostels in France?
You have arrived at the right place, here you find a list with the best hostels in France, but if we have to choose, with no doubts we recommend these hostels:
- Away Hostel & Coffee Shop in Lyon
- The People - Lille in Lille
- Generator Paris in Paris
- Georges Hostel & Cafe in Sète
What are the best hostel in France for solo travellers?
There are many awesome hostels in France for solo travellers! Our top recommendations are:
- Generator Paris in Paris
- The People - Lille in Lille
- Ciarus in Strasbourg
- La Maioun Guesthouse in Nice
What are the best hostel in France for couples?
There are many awesome hostels in France for couples! Our top recommendations are Les Piaules in Paris and The People - Lille in Lille.
What is the best hostel for surfers in France?
Our TOP suggestion for surf hostel in France is Jo&Joe in Soorts-Hossegor.
Are hostels in France safe?
Not all hostels in France are necessarily safe, especially the one that offers the cheapest price in sketchy areas. It might be an illegal hostel, without proper license to run and safety measures.
So in all fairness, it is best to check out Hostelgeeks.com because we feature safe hostels in France. You can find backpacker hostel with top ratings! Keep a close eye on the overall ratings on booking platforms!
If you are not sure, you can also send us an email and ask us!
What are the best sites for finding hostels?
Of course, the best site to find hostels is Hostelgeeks.com
We are doing our best to deliver the best hostels to you. Check out the best hostels in the world guides; from Paris to Tokyo.
You can also have a look at Hostelworld.
What about the cheapest hostels in France?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in France.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in France
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
Any Discounts?
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. There are even special discount codes that we only share in our newsletter.
It is completely free to join!
How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Read: step-by-step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of France best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/ bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app
Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!
Any questions about hostels in France?
🤔Join our Facebook Group and TikTok here!
Ask all your questions and connect with like-minded wanderers 🔥
Flights to France?
We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.
Skyscanner has a bunch of cool features like Multi-City Trip. Instead of doing this research step-by-step, Skyscanner offers this flight planning tool.
More Guides for your Europe Trip
Besides the coolest hostels in France, we visited more great backpacker hostels in Europe.
Make sure you read these guides. You will save money, and you will stay in safe, clean, and fun hostels.
- best hostels in Spain + complete itinerary
- the best hostels in Italy (with a map for planning)
- best hostels in Switzerland (expensive, but with this guide, you save money)
- best hostels in Luxembourg (best hostels in this beautiful, small country)
Find all our hostel guides here.
Other 5-Star Hostels
Besides the listed accommodation, we also put together the best hostels in the world; the 5 Star Hostels.
We stayed in a former winery in Santorini, in a former jail-now 5 Star Hostel and many more. And we share all of those unique budget accommodations with you.
We unbox the hostels and check all their pros and cons. For each destination, there can be only 1 hostel be chosen to be a 5 Star-Awarded Hostel.
This is your shortcut to your hostel-picks, saving you lots of time in your accommodation research.
And for sure, it gives you the security of a top-hostel choice without any bad surprises.
Update: We now cover as well curated 3-best hostels guide to cities with no 5 Star Hostels such as Oslo, Seoul and Sydney.
Any questions?
Please please leave us a comment. We would be thrilled to help you. With your question you also help us to improve this article.
Safe travels,
The Hostelgeeks
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Booking Hostels and Discounts 👏👏👏
As a user of Hostelgeeks, you also have access to exclusive hostel discounts. For booking hostels, we use:
- Hostelz.com - hostel price comparison
- Hostelworld
We recommend installing the Hostelworld App. It is very useful!
How to find cheaper Flights ✈️
The first websites we always check are Skyscanner and Google Flights.
Find our step-by-step process in our review about Skyscanner.
Travel Insurance made easy 🤒
We are currently using Safetywing and Hey Mondo. We wrote detailed guides about these insurances:
- Our review of Safetywing, compared to others
- a detailed review of HeyMondo Travel Insurance
Smartest Travel Tools you need to know 🤓
- Airalo.com - eSim Cards for traveling worldwide
- Onward Ticket - get proof for onward travel
- iVisa - get your visa online fast
- Get Your Guide - for activities and sightseeing tickets
- Omio.com - for all types of transport
Find all our recommended travel tools and websites here.
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