Auberge de Jeunesse MIJE Fourcy

Auberge de Jeunesse MIJE Fourcy sits in a renovated 17th-century building that's halfway between dilapidated and charming. The hostel is part of a trio ran by HAS MIJE; it was created to house students on school trips. The building itself has beautiful elements, including worn cream stone, exposed stone bricks, bay windows, and two charming courtyards that have a quaint Parisian ambiance with white iron tables, chairs, and potted plants. Inside, the lobby is generic, if dated. Yellow-sponged walls and worn tile are paired with a wooden reception desk with royal blue accents. The hostel’s decor throughout is simple and functional, with hints of history in the old stone walls and ceilings as well as exposed wooden beams. Interiors have little to no decorative elements beyond that of the natural structure of the aged building. It’s a somewhat cold and uninviting atmosphere, though school groups don’t seem to mind and they happen to be the hostel’s largest clientele. This might not bode well with solo travelers and couples who report noisy evenings and mornings and a lack of a social adult atmosphere. 

Auberge de Jeunesse MIJE Fourcy is located in the St. Gervais neighborhood of central Paris, not too far from the Seine River and across the street from the photography museum of Maison Européenne de la Photographie. The hotel is a two-minute walk from the Saint-Paul metro station, which gives easy access around the city and sights like the Eiffel Tower (which can be reached in a 40-minute ride). It’s an 11-minute walk to the Notre Dame Cathedral, while the Pompidou Center takes 13 minutes on foot. The Louvre is a 24-minute walk away or 10 minutes via metro, while Place des Vosges is a seven-minute walk. There’s a variety of restaurants and shops on surrounding streets to keep travelers well fed and entertained. Charles de Gaulle Airport is a 30- to 45-minute drive, depending on traffic, while Orly Airport can be reached in 20 to 30 minutes.

Most of the hostel's 59 rooms are dorm-style (men’s and women’s) and sleep up to eight people, though there are single, double, and quadruple rooms as well. Decor is minimal and somewhat cold as rooms have tiled or concrete floors, white walls, exposed wooden beams (in some rooms), built-in shelves, and white linens. Rooms are fairly spacious for a hostel, especially the dorms which have beds in individual nooks and occupy multiple levels. There aren't many amenities provided, and rooms lack Wi-Fi, toiletries, and towels. There is, however, daily housekeeping. Rooms have plain en-suite bathrooms with toilets, sinks, and small showers. Some past guests have complained that rooms are cold.

Outside of its central Paris location, this hostel offers little more than a place to sleep. It’s sparse in terms of amenities, though a stay does include a basic daily breakfast. An on-site self-service restaurant is open for lunch and dinner as well. As it’s a popular spot for school groups, there are two meeting rooms equipped with a large mobile board to display notes. Airport transfers can be arranged, and guests can book reservations for various attractions at the front desk. Wi-Fi is free in the common areas, but there have been reports of connectivity issues. The hostel offers a luggage storage room and safe deposit boxes in the lobby as well.