I cant seem to understand why there are not more hostels in Paris, other than the fact, property is increadbly expensive, is there another roadblock I am overlooking? Please let me know.
13 years
Hi
I heard on the "grapevine" that in order to set up a hostel in France there are a number of hoops to jump through such as the requirement to have a qualification Tourism (or something on those lines anyway).
I agree though - Paris is in need of a decent hostel as the current ones charge "big money" and have no incentive to "up" standards.
Regards
13 years
Next year, I plan to open a hostel near Fontainebleau (70 km/50 miles from Paris): mainly for European climbers/boulderers (our boulders areas are some of the best worldwide !); Fontainebleau is a nice little city with a superb castle/palace plus an awesome forest (hikers, mountain bikers). www.fontaineblhostel.com (under construction)
No personal qualification needed to run a hostel in France, but for the law it is an ERP ("établissement recevant du public") just like any hotel:
* strict safety rules (e.g.: 24 hours staff on site, high standard fire alarm, enclosed stair cases, emergency exits, stairs dimensions complying to norm, special electric system, non-burning materials and matrasses, ect. ect.)
* disabled access to all common areas and to some rooms/beds/showers; plus some special features for blind/nearly blind and deaf people
* "NF"-type bunk beds
* you must have an architect and control companies (safety, disabled, electricity); visit of a control commission prior to opening authorization by mayor
* I will not serve neither lunch nor dinner: restaurants have additional rules (hygiene)
Strict but logical; do not under-estimate the time needed to get thru this ! On the other hand, you can get subsidies: welcome to France !!
13 years
As i heard things are not going to get better, there are some strict laws for opening hostels in Paris. I ve noticed when i was there that all hostels were actually hotels rearanged to be used like hostels. I heard there is a law that you have to have your building (not just a part of it or apartment) and you have to have your separate entrance. Those things are pretty big opstacles because it will take a lot of funding to fully equippe and furnish big building, not to mention rent.
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