HI - Marseille - Chateau du Bois-Luzy Hostel

I've been there in January 2007. It's a bit far away from the center, but there is a nice view, opportunities to make some sport. Very nice building, quiet, clean. Bur if you wanna find it from the station Saint Charles take the metro, the blue line, direction La Rose and go till Chârtreau (three stations), then take the bus N°6 and go till "Marius Richard," then go ahead till you see a plate "Auberge de jeunesse" and go right on the bd d'Amandière, follow the street till the stadion, then go right one hundred meters, and you'll see this palace.

Long way from everywhere.

If you want to have fun don't go here. It's far from the city. And it's pretty much lights out at 10:30 p.m. — no chance to even party in your room!

I stayed at Bois Luzy in Nov. 1970 and Aug. 1971. Compared to all the hostels in France, Germany and Italy, it was by far the best. "Le Chef" at that time was a kind gentleman who loved young people. The kitchen was like a giant's castle kitchen. Hot water for showers abounded in wintertime and into the great dorms he piped Shubert's 8th Symphony each morning at 8:30. But you were never rushed. It was the grandest accommodation in all Europe!!!

OK let me set you straight — do NOT go to this hostel. Period. I'll be optimistic and start with the pros: 1) Nice view from the window 2) Its an old house that has some interesting architecture and art inside. Okay, now to lay the smack down. Cons: 1) Staff (one old guy) is very rude and at one point made a "pull the trigger on a gun" motion to us!! Can you believe that?? 2) The whole places closes down at 10:30 p.m. — EVERYTHING. The doors lock (you can't get OUT or IN after this), the common room closes, and the lights in the dorm rooms HAVE to go out. It was more like a prison than a hostel — I seriously couldn't believe it. All you can do is sleep after 10:30 p.m. END OF STORY. 3) The hostel is WAY out of town. What a waste of my first night in Marseilles. Needless to say, when the prison gates re-opened in the morning my friend and I ran away before the guard tower could shoot us. Unreal — oh yeah, and you CAN'T drink in the common room either (i.e., relax and have a beer).

Beautiful location, helpful and friendly staff, very clean and well kept. A little removed from city center, but excellent view of Marseilles, the Mediterranean, and very accessible by bus. Where else can you stay in a real castle for so little?!