Three Hotels for Young People in the heart of Le Marais

 

Le Marais, now renowned the world over, is a district where the most refined classical French architecture rubs shoulders with art galleries, designer boutiques and trendy bars. However at the end of the 1960s, le Marais was falling into ruins. In order to save three of its most beautiful buildings the City of Paris decided to put them into the hands of the MIJE, an association that has been organising school educational holidays since the second world war. In ten years, three buildings situated on the Rue de Fourcy, Rue des Barres and the Rue du Fauconnier have been restored and fitted out as youth hostels. The Rue des Barres address is none other than the old residence of the Abbesses of Maubuisson which has now been handed to the good care of the MIJE.

 

In these three “hotels for young people” you are in Paris' heart of hearts, just a few minutes from Beaubourg and Notre-Dame, from Place de la Bastille and Les Halles, from the Latin quarter and the Ile de la Cité. It is difficult to imagine a better place to stay in the capital! The three MIJE establishments offer a total of 450 beds for the young and not so young, who come in ever increasing numbers as the years pass. The Americans in particular are absolutely crazy about the MIJE: in their eyes these buildings are the very embodiment of the old romantic Europe. The Germans represent the largest individual international clientele.

 

Admittedly, compared with Christopher's Inn (see our article) the decoration seems a little outdated, but the level of comfort is completely acceptable and the hygiene is faultless (cleaning is done every day between 12 and 3pm.) There are a few single rooms (reserved as a priority for accompanying teachers), double rooms and particularly well organised dormitories (of up to ten beds) under high ceilings, sometimes over 3 metres high. Many rooms have their own toilets and the dormitories are equipped with several showers. At all three addresses all the rooms overlook a courtyard, a relatively calm street or pedestrian areas, so tranquillity is assured. Room number 44 at Hotel Maubuisson has superb views over the rooftop of Saint-Gervais church and the chevet of Notre-Dame. So as not to spoil anything the MIJE restaurant has been created in the attractive vaulted cellars of Hotel de Fourcy.