HI - Nîmes Youth Hostel Chemin de la Cigale

Excellent
Certainly, it's a bit of a hike up from the bus stop if you've got a heavy backpack on, though I did walk to and from the centre of town a couple of times, and it's not a bad walk in summer. I, too, really appreciated being given a glass of cold water when I arrived. I've stayed in a lot of French Youth Hostels, and, although they're getting better, they can often be quite impersonal and institutional. This one isn't like that. It has a really friendly feeling. The rooms are just basic youth hostel rooms -- spartan and clean. That's all I want in that regard. But they serve really good meals in the evening at outdoor tables in the garden. And once you've finished eating, you can sit an ponder life the universe and everything with a nice pint of cold beer. Basic but good breakfast in the morning. I speak French reasonably well, but also noticed that the staff spoke excellent English.

Possibly the best hostel (apart from the Woodstock in Paris) I stayed in whilst in France. The staff were exceptional -- even offering me cold water after I hiked in from the train station. Rooms, bathrooms, and grounds are in excellent condition and always kept clean. Highly recommended.

The best hostel I stayed at in France! The rooms are spacious, clean, and have bathrooms and showers inside each one. Most rooms also have a small patio with a sliding door. Everyone here was friendly, and it was easy to meet other travellers in their outdoor cafe area. Yes, it is a bit of a hike from the bus stop, but well worth it! I was also offered a glass of water immediately, too. And there's a kitchen for guests! Since there's a great supermarket in between the hostel and the bus stop, this is absolutely invaluable and something more hostels should have. Nimes is a lovely small French city, with a charming old section and an amazing intact Roman arena. It's also easy to take the train to Arles for the day from here.

This hostel is really fantastic! The staff are friendly, the place is very clean, the rooms are great and the garden is beautiful. I highly recommend it.

Can you say overrated? This place was not that great at all. It's a long walk up a hill, expensive, and breakfast is 3.50 extra. Aside from the Pont du Gard, there's not much to see in Nimes anyway. See the Aqueduct and maybe the arena and spend the night in Avignon of Arles. Don't waste your money on this hostel.

This is a fabulous hostel, and the only negative point about it is the walk from the bus stop to the hostel, which is all uphill! It was 30 degrees when we arrived, and we just barely survived the uphill walk with our rucksacks! However, the lovely people at the hostel greeted us with big glasses of cold water! You can buy lunch and dinner at the hostel and the eating area is lovely--set in their botanical gardens! We stayed in an eight-person room, but there were only two of us in it. Even with eight people it would have been very spacious. The shower and toilet area were very clean, as were the bedrooms. Eggs are cooked for breakfast, which is a bonus! This is a lovely hostel, and also includes room for camping. The town of Nimes is a 15 minute walk downhill from the hostel, but I would recommend getting the bus back up!

This hostel is incredible! I am staying here now! I was lonely and missing home before, but when I got here I was pleasantly surprised! The staff are very, very welcoming and helpful; there is Internet and washing machines, and a restaurant here as well! Also, I asked where I could exchange my traveller's cheques, and the man offered to do it for me there without taking any commission. A breath of fresh air! There are lots of people at the hostel as well, which means you aren't bored or lonely! I highly recommend it!!

Really nice hostel. Staff are very friendly, rooms are great, nice and airy, with great beds and lockers that resemble closets. Bathrooms are nice and the common areas are great. I really do recommend it. The only thing against it is its distance from town, but the walk is great, and it it in a nice wooded area, so it's worth it. Go for it!

A fantastic hostel. It would especially be great in summer. The staff are friendly and very accommodating, and the renovations make it feel like new. The rooms have just 4 beds with plenty of head room, a desk, private sink/mirror and big lockers. Great kitchen, plus cheap food (and beer/wine) available to be purchased. It also has a social eating/lounging area and internet access. Staying at this hostel was the best thing I ever did, and I would highly recommend it!

If you are in France visit this hostel! You will thank me when you get there :)

Really high quality hostel with excellent facilities and friendly staff. Bit of a trek from the town centre, but definitely worth the walk.