After the success of its first address in Belleville, Les Piaules, the famous contemporary youth hostel that combines modernity, quality services and great-value rooms, has just made a small second, on Place de la Nation in Paris.
For the record, Les Piauleshas been revolutionizing the youth hostel worldsince 2015 (voted best youth hostel in France, please). The first, located in Belleville that is, has several rooms with bunk beds to accommodate travelers and groups of friends, 4 rooms on the rooftop overlooking the Sacré Coeur and the Eiffel Tower, as well as a bar offering a selection of French products. At the same time, with rooms from 30€, a superbly located hotel and a sublime view, it would be wrong not to give it a try.
For this second address, we're off to Bastille, Oberkampf and Bois de Vincennes to put down our suitcases or pick up a glass or fork. In terms of design, the English architectural firm Michaelis Boyd is in charge. They imagined an eco-responsible building made of wood, with a green roof.
There are 30 dormitories for 4, 6 and 8 people and 9 private rooms. In all, there are 192 "Plumards" version 2.0, beds designed to respect everyone's privacy, where it's good to fall asleep. Each space is designed to be totally independent, with all the equipment needed to avoid disturbing your neighbor: telephone and USB sockets, lighting, a shelf for your personal items or tourist guide, and a closed locker for securely storing your suitcase. In the bathrooms, whether shared or private, the credo is always the same: modernity at the service of practicality.
In short, we're all set for the bedroom. But that's not all. Like its predecessor, the new spot also boasts a stunning bar-restaurant. Accessible to all, this new spot with a terrace overlooking the river offerslocavore cuisine with finely sourced products. The only drawback is that reservations are not required: first come, first served!
We start the aperitif with a good Spritz, a Cosmo or a non-alcoholic homemade iced tea.
For starters, try the excellent burrata with well-seasoned tomatoes, the mini pissaladières or the eggplant fritters.
For the main course, pizzas are the order of the day, but you can also opt for gourmet salads or Pasta et basta, spinach ricotta ravioli on a bed of arugula. We opt for the Les Piaules pizza, of course, with Tarn coppa and creamy burrata in the center (we can't get enough of it).
We end the meal with Bombes chocolat noisette, chocolate-covered doughnuts dipped in caramel and cream.
All this while admiring the sunset over the square, for a relaxing moment set to music. Don't you feel good?
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, please drink responsibly.
Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.
Location
Les Piaules 2
28 Place de la Nation
75012 Paris 12
Official website
www.lespiaules.com
Booking
www.mews.li
