Centre Hostels

I visited Chartres in October 2006. I'm returning April 2009 because Chartres made me feel so peaceful and comfortable. It was a day trip from Paris, so I didn't stay overnight, but the peacefulness was wonderful. That's why I'm staying longer this time. Just walk around and enjoy the town, after you've seen the magnificent cathedral.

I have been in Beaugency 3 times and enjoyed each visit very much.

Auberge de Jeunesse Chartres Hostel in Chartres … Very clean and comfortable. Friendly and welcoming staff. Excellent value and close to the town centre.

Jacques Coeur AJ Hostel in Bourges … I stayed at this hostel for four weeks and very much enjoyed my time there. The rooms are comfortable, the staff are very friendly and everything you need is provided! The garden is perfect for barbecues and the field across the stream is brilliant for midsummer night picnics! It is perfectly situated, being only five minutes away from the town center but also only five minutes away from the outdoor pool! The hostel is very secure; swipe cards are used to gain access to rooms and the hostel itself after a certain time each day. I felt very safe and at home here. I will be going back shortly, too! I definitely recommend staying here if you are passing through Bourges.

HI - Tours Hostel in Tours … The dark hallways in this hostel give the immediate impression of gloom, and you adopt an attitude of trepidation as you open your door. However, I received a pleasant surprise on the other side. The double room was made up with sheets that positively crackled with starch. The window opened onto a pretty street with little traffic noise. The common areas are bright and fun, in spite of smoking being allowed. The breakfast is decent. Despite (or perhaps inspite) of the darkness of the halls, things are quiet at all hours. A refreshing stay.

Auberge de Jeunesse d'Orleans Hostel in Orléans … I stayed here in March '04 -- a Saturday night. There was unfortunately no staff although the hostel was to be opened till 8 p.m. So I came in with someone coming out who opened the door. I did not pay and had one night in a single room on the second floor with a private bathroom. Shower water was a bit cold but there was clean linen on the beds. Note the hostel is member of LAJ (only few hostels) and not FUAJ main youth hostel association in France. But membership cards are ok in both associations.

HI - Blois - Les Grouet Hostel in Blois … I visited in May 2005. If you want to catch up on some sleep then this is the place -- lights out at 10 p.m.! Mistress is quite strict. The hostel is in a semi-rural/residential area about five kilometers out of town. The last bus I got was 7:34 p.m. A few minutes walk down the road is the Foret Blois and a few minutes the other direction is the Loire. The hostel is very clean and the kitchen is small with excellent facilities -- and a great place to meet people. Breakfast is served at communal tables (the usual fresh bread, jam and warm coffee). The showers and toilets are in a separate building, so the walk between the two could be cold and wet. A note about tour buses to the Chateaux -- they only operate in high tourist season. Go to the tourist office for assitance, the staff at the bus office nearby do not always speak English.

HI - Tours Hostel in Tours … I had my own room with sink. affordable. own keys for front door and room. a bit far from anything. staff were confused, older lady was nice though. no people on staff at night -- only one person on the ground floor, I think? reception is closed from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. I believe. So if you arrive at 2 p.m. like I did you have to walk around with your bags for hours.

HI - Blois - Les Grouet Hostel in Blois … I have backpacked across Europe and had no trouble staying in hostels except with the occasional snorer in Florence, Rome, Venice, or Bratislava.This trip to France is a different story. It might be that in the more expensive European countries such as France that the chronic mentally ill who have aggressive disorders are forced to stay at hostels. Such was the case the last night at this hostel. I did not sleep at all. The man choose the bed right next to me. He seemed to be right out of the movie Natural Born Killer. The caretaker is not very nice. She seems to be on a power trip.

HI - Blois - Les Grouet Hostel in Blois … The location of this hostel is very remote (4.5 km outside Blois) and the day staff not very friendly. Staying in one of the two large single sex rooms, you can be woken up quite frequently by people coming in and out. There is warm water, after about four minutes, and a kitchen to make food. It's not good if you would like to see the nightlife in Blois, as the last public bus picks up in Blois around 6:30 p.m. (18:30). It's good for a night, maybe two, and does allow non-members to stay the night.