Paris hostel for 40+ backpacker

Not surprised MIJE is full as September can be a busy time, so book something soon. Maybe try Generator hostel in the 10e.

Otherwise, check Booking.com and see what pops up for hostels and hotels in your price range in the neighborhoods you want.

The HI USA International link to Paris hostels:
https://www.hiusa.org/hostels/international-hostels/paris-hostels
Bring ear plugs for dorms.

Caulaincourt Square Boutique Hostel (in Montmarte). My 40 something niece always stays here when in Paris. Good transport connections. Check out their web site.

There are numerous hostels in Paris, two of which are in the 10th Arr. You just have to where to locate them. These two hostels are are ca. 25 mins from each other. The hostel closer to Montmarte is Vintage Hostel on Rue de Dunkerque, just on the line between the 9th and 10th Arr. Going from Vintage after exiting Nord is ca 25 mins. on Rue de Dunkerque.

The other hostel is on the opposite side of Gare du Nord, ie closer to Gare de l'Est...St Christophers, as you are walking from Nord to Est after crossing Rue du Faubourg St Denis and going past the Albert I Hotel.

Forget about the matter of age consciousness...irrelevant. In Vienna I often stayed at Wombats a few years back in my early to mid-60s...makes no difference to me if my room mates are all 20 somethings. They certainly did not prevent me from sleeping.

Thanks all,

Edgar, good site - the HI hostels look promising. I did see one on Hostelworld that had a 40 year age limit! Thought that kind of thing had gone for good, but it wasn't any of those listed on the site you linked to.

Carol, The Caulincourt square alas is booked up. Thanks anyway though.

Fred, thanks again for your help. Yes I stayed at Wombats in Munich last year, it wasn't bad at all. Vintage is probably near the top of my list at the moment, but it doesn't have room lockers (or only small ones anyway) and no common room as far as I can see, unless the breakfast room is available. St Christopher's is a party hostel isn't it? Or so I've read.

Ceidleh, yes, I will get a move on! You mention Generator - I have been looking at it, but it seems that every social/common space is a bar. Need somewhere other than the bed I can sit down and read after a day's sightseeing, without feeling I have to buy a drink. No kitchen either.

Last night I found Enjoy Hostel, in Montparnasse. It seems to have everything I'm looking for, although on the other side of the city. Still, one metro journey from Nord, no changes.

A party hostel means nothing if you do not want to partake...I have checked St Christophers' out...good, since it is 2 minutes from my hotel at Nord. Forget this reading of negative "stuff"

If a kitchen is a must and higher on the list than being near Gare du Nord, then try Oops! Design Hostel in the 13e, or the Arty in the 15e. They have lounge areas not focused on a bar if you have concerns you'd feel pressured to buy a drink just to sit and read outside of your room. Neither have any sort of age limit, but I think after about the age of 32, it's almost to be expected that you'll be part of the minority when it comes to age - although seriously nobody cares and I've stayed in hostel dorms with people as young as 18 and as old at 80 but found, by far, the majority are somewhere in the 21 to 28yo range.

Another option would be look into university housing for tourists. Many universities in Europe rent out private single dorm rooms (some ensuite, some with shared bath) to tourists throughout the summer and often up through the end of September. I have yet to stay in one that didn't have access to some sort of kitchen and they also have other perks like access to coin-op laundry and tons of lounge areas and study areas. I haven't done it in Paris, but it's my understanding it exists there - I've done university housing in a number of other cities in other countries throughout Europe.

If you can forego the kitchen and you just want privacy and places to lounge without booze, you may be able to get a fairly cheap rate on some of the budget chain hotels like Ibis if you keep a close eye on their online offers. I scored rates of about 60 Euro/night for rooms in the Paris Ibis not far from Gare du Nord, as well as one recently in Rotterdam.

If you are seriously considering Ibis, (I would not), there are two of them at Gare du Nord, one just opposite of Nord on Rue de Dunkerque and the one on Rue Saint Quentin, next to the Chinese restaurant.

f you want to stick to the specific area of Nord and Montmarte, Vintage is the best option location wise, regardless of the hostel's shortcomings and "arriving and leaving on the EuroStar." It's a big place but not as big as St Christopher's.

I would not want to go from Montparnasse to Nord with luggage on the Metro. I've done this years ago.

The Wombats hostel in Munich I am familiar with, stayed there in 2009, picked it because it is close to Munich Hbf. Wombats is certainly recommendable.

Thanks all for the extra info.

Yes, I've been in many hostels, and I never expect to be with people of the same age (lets face it, a good proportion of 40+ people will have kids in tow!), it's just nice to have a mix of ages. Thanks for the tip on Ibis, sounds like you can get a good price, although it's not really my thing - I don't like loud hostels where people come in drunk from the bar downstairs late at night, but I do like to stay in hostels, as travelling solo, at least you do meet other people.

Fred, what I read from most party hostel reviews is that regardless of whether you want to take part or not, you often can't get to sleep because of the noise from the bar(s). Not always the case though, I admit. Sorry if I'm being too critical by the way, I just know what I like (and don't!). But it's true that negative reviews abound and should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Thanks again folks, I'll make my decision tonight.

Well, good that you don't entirely believe all the comments on noise in a hostel. I've stayed at Wombats in Vienna several times, would have go through my notes to get an actual count of the days over the years...none of this noise stuff. I stay in a private room when I feel like spending/wasting extra or I stay in a much cheaper 6 person mix dorm room, doesn't matter at all to me if the roommates are 1/2 or 1/3 my age, I'll sleep anyway.

The other simple option is regardless of noise or whatever, you pay more. I stayed in the hostel to avoid that.

Another search engine is Trivago.ca. Have you considered Airbnb for Private room or shared accommodations?

Thanks Tania, yes I did consider AirBnB, but I don't really fancy that kind of arrangement. Will check out Trivago.