Hostel Review – Young & Happy Hostel – Paris, France
| Young & Happy Hostel 80 rue Mouffetard Paris, France +33 (0)1 47 07 47 07 |
Overall Rating: 8 (10 Maximum) Bottom line: Rustic and friendly, top-notch location. |
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What to Expect
Top: Place Monge near the Young & Happy, Paris; Middle: Rue Mouffetard street market; Bottom: A fellow backpacker at the Y&H
For a city as large and as touristed as Paris, it’s surprising how few high-quality hostels call the French capital home. The Young & Happy, somewhat obscure and underpromoted, is my favorite hostel in Paris, for its unparalleled Latin Quarter location, creaking spiral staircases and upbeat character. After hopping between faceless, sterile hostels for several weeks, it’s a bonus when a hostel feels like home.
Steps from the distinctly Parisian Place Monge, Young & Happy’s address is easily its best asset. Rue Mouffetard is itself famous for its bustling Sunday market, where both locals and travelers gather to buy fresh vegetables, meat, cheese, seafood and any other imaginable culinary creation — pigeon pâté, anyone? Notre-Dame and the Seine are about 15 minutes away, and for lazy afternoons, the Luxembourg Gardens are nearby.
The Latin Quarter is well-equipped for budget-conscious diners, with dozens of shops offering grilled sandwiches, döner kebab and crèpes for dining on the go. Several supermarkets are nearby; one is directly next door. Local nightlife is plentiful but expensive; informal groups depart from the hostel nightly to relax avec vin near the Eiffel Tower or Notre-Dame.
Quirks
- Y&H is rustic at the very least. Stairwells are tight spirals, hallways are narrow, beds are wobbly, blankets are ancient, floors creak and plumbing leaves much to be desired. That said, it’s the closest I’ve felt to home on the road, so with an open mind, it works.
- For whatever reason — probably because the party-hardy types stay at the Three Ducks across town — Young & Happy attracts an interesting, international crowd.
- A simple breakfast — baguette and beverage — is included in the rate, served in a cave-like basement dining room that doubles as a miniscule guest kitchen during dinner hours.
- There are a few obnoxious rules, including a strict (but reasonable) curfew and lockout. No outside booze is permitted, but beer and wine are for sale in the lobby. Try a bottle of 1664, crafted by the fine folks at Strasbourg, France’s Kronenbourg brewery.
- Paris is noisy — if sleep is your priority, earplugs are a wise investment.
- In-room security is sketchy in that room keys are shared and there are no lockers. A safe deposit box is available at the front desk. Unlocked luggage storage is available.
- Sheets and pillowcases are not included in the room price. Bring your own or rent a set.
- The free maps available at the front desk are incredibly helpful.
Directions
Take the Métro (line 7) to Place Monge. You will exit in a large square. Find the intersection of Rue Ortolan and Rue Gracieuse, and proceed along Rue Ortolan (a one-way street) in the direction of car traffic. After walking a block, Rue Ortolan dead ends at Rue Mouffetard. You should see a Best Western hotel in front of you. Turn left onto Rue Mouffetard. Young & Happy is about a block down, on your right. Look for the blue neon ‘Hostel’ sign. The hostel provides a rough map; Google’s is better.
Disclaimer & Call to Arms
Things change. These reviews are written based on the last personal visit to each hostel. Use this guide confidently, but at your own risk. If your experience was different, we would love to hear about it.
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