A friend of ours had his heart broken and is not looking for a diversion, so we suggested a trip to Paris! Can anyone recommend a cool, affordable, hostel where he can stay and perhaps meet some fellow travelers??

I don't think I'll be the only person to suggest that a trip to Paris when you are broken-hearted might be a bad idea. It's a city of non-stop romance, with couples publicly kissing everywhere.

I would try Belgium or Switzerland, or Berlin or Athens (especially the last two for some perspective on being broken-hearted).

Another vote against Paris (MY favorite city)for this particular trip. While he isn't necessarily looking to party, I found this older but still useful thread for some other ideas. Party towns usually include plenty of hostels with people from around the world.

http://www.travellerspoint.com/forum.cfm?thread=27122

Barcelona? London? I wouldn't think Paris would be the cure...

I went to Paris alone when I was broken hearted in 2004 and had a blast. I walked everywhere by myself and didn't see people kissing everywhere. You've been watching too many movies.

Anyone out there want to answer my question?? He is excited to go to Paris.

Sounds like Paris would be great!

I have never stayed at one, but the Mama Shelter properties seem to be very cool and well priced-

http://www.mamashelter.com/sleep

I'm sure I'm not the only person who sees a lot of real live couples kissing in public in Paris. And I mean a lot. It's right there. It doesn't come from watching movies.

There are travel websites for backpackers and hostels.

Yeah, and he can rub her nose in it just a little-"I'm off to Paris WITHOUT you!". I know, I know, that was snarky.

I can't help with hostels but we stayed in Montparnasse area (Hotel Ferrandi) and were very near Blvd. Montparnasse with many places students ate.

Busses and metro are easy and convenient. What age group is he in and what are some interests?

I stayed at St. Christopher's in the 19th eme and had a great time. I thought this was the better of the Paris hostels I researched. Plus, they don't kick you out in the morning as some of the others do. It's a really cool place. Your friend will definitely meet a lot of people there.

http://www.st-christophers.co.uk/paris-hostels

I have to say I haven't noticed an abundance of kissing couples either. I suppose they may be rather less common in non-touristy areas, although I typically visit both touristy and non-touristy areas.

I've seen a hostel on Rue Mouffatard. This is a great area in my opinion. There is also a Comfort Inn there.

The couples kissing thing is something I've mostly seen in the public parks and they seemed to be doing a little more than kissing.

My non Paris vote had nothing to do with kissing but rather the fact that you were looking for hostels and meeting other travelers who stay in hostels. I thought there would be a higher percentage of those in places like Prague or Amsterdam than in Paris. As Paris was your suggestion I didn't know your friend had already bought into the idea of Paris.

I have stayed in the Mouffetard area near Place de la Contrescarpe where I think the above mentioned hostel is located. Fun touristy area in the Latin Quarter that is busy day and night. I don't know about cool, more kind of low brow international crowd and average restaurants. Great crepe walk up windows.

I think Paris is way too romantic for someone who's just had his heart broken. Depending on his frame of mine I would go for either a more party type place (Prague? Barcelona?) of somewhere that would totally involve his mind in other types of things (London, Rome, Berlin- based on his interests and language skills). And if you think he likely to become a hermit there - make sure it's someplace he can communicate easily with everyone. If he has no French I would definitely not reco Paris.

I once advised the same thing to my brother when his fiancee left him - but I went with him - so he wouldn't be lonely and miserable there - but would have someone to help keep his spirits up and make sure he didn't become a hermit. We did a driving trip which forced him to be an active participant and seemed to help get his mind off her.

Thanks for the recommendations - very helpful!

My opinion: no place is inherently more romantic than any other place. It all depends on your circumstances. If you are broken hearted, you may as well be in a wonderful, interesting place. If I am ever broken hearted, please send me to Paris.

Nikki: my thoughts exactly! Paris can you make you fall in love with life again. That's why I suggested he go.

I suppose it's nice when people manage to find a way to go back to believing what they've always believed to start out with -- and I sincerely hope puttakka is making the right call in urging a broken-hearted friend to go to Paris -- but when I read assertions that "no place is inherently more romantic than any other place" I have to wonder: Where have they been?

and what's their idea of romance?

This is likely the place on Rue Mouffetard: http://www.youngandhappy.fr. My best friend and I stayed here in 2005, and it's fine, but nothing special. I wouldn't say we met a ton of backpackers here like we did in other places like Amsterdam, Rome or Berlin. And at the time, it was the kind where you had to leave the hostel for the better part of the day so they could clean it. It wasn't very convenient, and I wouldn't stay there again.

I now rent a studio in Paris, and despite it being more expensive than a hostel, I think it's worth it because I can cook and help offset some of the cost that way. Depending on how long he's there, that might be an avenue worth pursuing as well.

Sure you can have a great time anywhere, but I'd also suggest if meeting people staying in a hostel was the goal, cities like Amsterdam, Prague, or Berlin might be more the ticket.