Independent hostels
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Auberge Internationale des Jeunes 10 rue Trousseau, 11^e tel 01.47.00.62.00, www.aijparis.com. Despite the official-sounding name, a laid-back (but very noisy) independent hostel in a great location five minutes' walk from the Bastille. Clean and professionally run with 24hr reception, generous breakfast (included) and free luggage storage. Rooms for 2, 3 and 4. €13 Nov–Feb, €14 March–Oct. M° Bastille/Ledru-Rollin.

The Blue Planet Hostel 5, rue Hector Malot, 12^e tel 01.43.42.06.18, fax 01.43.42.09.89, www.hostelblueplanet.com. Popular with backpackers and less of a party scene than some of the others, this family-run hostel charges €21 per night including breakfast. No curfew. M° Gare de Lyon.

Hôtel Caulaincourt 2 sq Caulaincourt (by 63 rue Caulaincourt), 18^e tel 01.46.06.42.99, www.caulaincourt.com. Friendly hotel with a new dormitory section (€23 a night) from which there's a fine view out over Paris. M° Lamarck-Caulaincourt.

Centre International de Paris/Louvre 20 rue Jean-Jacques-Rousseau, 1^er tel 01.53.00.90.90. A clean, modern and efficiently run hostel for 18- to 35-year-olds. Bookings can be made up to ten days prior to your stay. Accommodation ranges from single rooms to dorms sleeping eight. From €18.30 per person. M° Louvre/Châtelet-Les Halles.

Maison Internationale des Jeunes 4 rue Titon, 11^e tel 01.43.71.99.21, [email protected]. A clean, well-run establishment located between Bastille and Nation, geared to 18- to 30-year-olds for stays of between three and five days. Doors are open from 6am till 2am. Rooms range from doubles to dorms sleeping eight. €22.50 per person including shower, breakfast and sheets. Reservations should be made in advance and a fifty per cent deposit is required. M° Faidherbe-Chaligny.

Peace and Love Hostel 245 rue La Fayette, 10^e tel 01.46.07.65.11, www.paris-hostels.com. Tucked away at the top end of the 10^e, but offering some of the least expensive beds in town, from €16 per person in a four-bed room up to a dizzy €20 per person in a twin room. The bargain-priced bar that's open till 2am gives a clue to the style of the place. Open 24 hr. M° Jaurès.

Three Ducks Hostel 6 place Étienne-Pernet, 15^e tel 01.48.42.04.05, www.3ducks.fr. Private youth hostel with no age limit. In high season, beds cost €22 in dorm rooms (sleeping from four to ten people), €25 per person in a double; there are discounts in winter. Kitchen facilities as well as a bar with very cheap beer. Essential to book ahead between May and Oct: send the price of the first night or leave a credit card number online. Lockout 11am–5pm, curfew at 2am. M° Commerce/Félix-Faure.

Le Village Hostel 20 rue d'Orsel, 18^e tel 01.42.64.22.02, www.villagehostel.fr. Attractive, brand-new hostel with a relatively old-fashioned feel, and good facilities such as phones in the rooms. There's a view of the Sacré-Coeur from the terrace. Dorms (€21.50) or twin rooms (€25); price includes breakfast. M° Anvers.

Woodstock Hostel 48 rue Rodier, 9^e tel 01.48.78.87.76, www.woodstock.fr. A reliable hostel in the Three Ducks stable, with its own bar, and set in a great location on a pretty street, not far from Montmartre. Dorms €20/15, depending on season. Twin rooms available (€23/17); price includes breakfast. Book ahead. M° Anvers/St-Georges.

Young and Happy Hostel 80 rue Mouffetard, 5^e tel 01.45.35.09.53, www.youngandhappy.fr. Noisy, basic and studenty independent hostel in a lively, if a tad touristy, position. Dorms, with shower, sleep four (€20 per person), and there are a few doubles (€25 per person). Curfew at 2am. M° Monge/Censier-Daubenton.