Any advice for a place for a 20 yr old college student to stay for 1 week in Paris?
He will be travelling alone and it would be nice for him to be around other students.
Obviously, youth hostels come to mind. I (the mom) am just concerned about safety and making sure it's an area close to transportation.
The rest of his visit to France, he will be staying with a French family we know in the Normandy area.
Thanks for your help!

As an American young woman studying in Paris for the semester, I can reassure you that your son won't have to worry too much about safety. Of course, there are certain areas that are best to stay away from at night (I wouldn't wander around Montmarte at midnight), but overall I have never been in a dangerous situation. Generally speaking, the Latin Quarter is always brimming with students and there are also always a bunch by the main universities (Sorbonne and American University in Paris).

As for hostels, whenever I travel in Europe I use www.hostelworld.com or www.hihostels.com. They have reviews from people who have stayed there- I learned the hard way that a hostel that you book online is probably completely different than what it looks like in pictures, so it's important to read reviews.

When you do find options for a hostel, let me know and I will be happy to give you an idea of what kind of neighborhood they are in and what train stations/airports they are close to. Happy traveling!

Buy him a copy of Let's Go France at any bookstore and that will be all that he needs - critiques dozens of hostels and gives a wealth of info. Written by U.S. college students i think. Harvard Student Agencies.

Your son will be at absolutely no risk as per safety in Paris he wouldn't be at home - assumedly he won't be driving there so will be safer i think.

Thank you for your good advice.
Allyse, could you give an opinion on this hostel?
Absolute Paris
1 Rue de la Fontaine au Roi
75011 Paris

Hi mom,

Also ask your question at the Thorntree Forum at www.lonelyplanet.com.

There are more folks there of your son's age.

A friend who was a Masters student in ireland went on a small tour of europe before heading home to the U.S. She stayed in a hostel in the Latin quatter that she said was great and she met a lot of people and felt safe there. I am sure it was the 5th? The website i saw was nice but I cannot remember it now. Hostels are good for a person on their own his age to meet others.