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hôtels particuliers (private mansions) in the heart of the Marais, and it’s difficult to think of a better budget deal in Paris. Costs are the same for all three hostels, and include single-sex, shower-equipped dorms with four to eight beds per room as well as singles, twins and triples. Rooms are closed from noon to 3pm, and curfew is from 1am to 7am. The maximum stay is seven nights. Individuals can make reservations at any of the three MIJE hostels listed below by emailing (info@mije.com) or telephoning; reception will hold you a bed till noon. During summer and other busy periods, there may not be space after mid-morning. There’s an annual membership fee of €2.50.

MIJE Le Fauconnier (Map; 11 rue du Fauconnier, 4e; St-Paul or Pont Marie) has 125 beds and is two blocks south of MIJE Le Fourcy.

MIJE Le Fourcy (Map; 6 rue de Fourcy, 4e; St-Paul), with 180 beds, is the largest of the three. There’s a cheap eatery here called Le Restaurant, which offers a three-course fixed-price menu including a drink for €10.50.

MIJE Maubuisson (Map; 12 rue des Barres, 4e; Hôtel de Ville or Pont Marie) – the pick of the three, in our opinion – is half a block south of the mairie (town hall) of the 4e and has 99 beds.

AUBERGE DE JEUNESSE JULES FERRY Map Hostel €

01 43 57 55 60; www.fuaj.fr; 8 blvd Jules Ferry, 11e; per person dm & d €21; République or Goncourt; Filles du Calvaire;

This official hostel three blocks east of place de la République is somewhat institutional and the rooms could use a refit, but the atmosphere is fairly relaxed. The 99 beds are in two- to six-person rooms, which are locked between 10.30am and 2pm for housekeeping, but there is no curfew. You’ll have to pay an extra €2.90 per night if you don’t have an HI card or equivalent (€11/17 for those under/over 26).

AUBERGE INTERNATIONALE DES JEUNES Map Hostel €

01 47 00 62 00; www.aijparis.com; 10 rue Trousseau, 11e; per person dm Jul & Aug €17, Mar-Jun & Sep-Oct €15, Nov-Feb €13; Ledru Rollin

This clean, friendly hostel just 700m east of place de la Bastille attracts a young, international crowd and gets full in the summer. Beds in dorms are for two to four people; the largest ones have shower and toilet en suite. Rooms are closed for cleaning between 11am and 4pm but there‘s no curfew. Internet access costs €2 for 15 minutes.

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ALSO RECOMMENDED

Hôtel Verlain (Map; 01 43 57 44 88; www.verlain.com; 97 rue St-Maur, 11e; s/d €115/125; Rue St-Maur; ) Good-value and more-than-functional 38-room midrange hotel overlooking busy blvd de la République.

Hôtel des Arts (Map; 01 43 79 72 57; www.paris-hotel-desarts.com; 2 rue Godefroy Cavaignac, 11e; s/d/tr €90/99/120; Charonne) Cosy hotel with 35 bright (and recently renovated) rooms convenient to the bars and restaurants of Bastille.

Garden Hôtel (Map; 01 47 00 57 93; www.garden-hotel-paris.com; 1 rue du Général Blaise, 11e; s/d €60/78; St-Ambroise) If you’re looking for peace and quiet but want to be within easy walking distance of Bastille and Ménilmontant, choose this hotel with 42 rooms overlooking a large leafy square. We’re also suckers for a glass Art Deco entranceway.

Hôtel Américain (Map; 01 48 87 58 92; www.paris-hotel-americain.com; 72 rue Charlot, 3e; s €62, d €72, tw €86; République) This cheapie facing a small square just off place de la République has 36 barebones rooms (singles with shower, doubles with bathtubs) and a lobby brightened up by a spot of modern art.

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THE ISLANDS

The smaller of the two islands in the middle of the Seine, the Île St-Louis is by far the more romantic and has a string of excellent top-end hotels. It’s an easy walk from central Paris. Oddly enough, the only hotel of any sort on the Île de la Cité is a budget one.

HÔTEL DE LUTÈCE Map Hotel €€€

01 43 26 23 52; www.hotel-ile-saintlouis.com; 65 rue St-Louis en l’Île, 4e; s €150, d €170-189, tr €205-225; Pont Marie;

An exquisite 23-room hotel, the Lutèce has an enviable spot on delightful Île St-Louis. It received a complete makeover in 2006 and has