I haven't been to Bois-Luzy for a long while , but it still lives in my memory as the best Hostel in Europe and I stayed in at least 20 of them.
This Hostel is the Real example of the pre Revolutionary France that was owned by some rich Marquis who drove through the streets of Marseille with his coach and six running down the children of the poor.
Le Chef is one of the most jovial friendly old guys I ever met in a hostel.
He had good advice and wisdom for all. I stayed there in November and enjoyed the luxury of the Fairy Tail Bedrooms with 20 foot casement windows overlooking le Vieux Port si charment!!
After a long cold ride on an English Matchless Motorcycle all the way from Spain , the endless hot water and the huge soft beds were like Heaven after hell. I never slept so well in my life.
I was awaken in the morning (maybe 8:00 AM by the haunting sound of Shubert's 8th (Unfinished) Symphony (Yes, the Smurf theme)
The Humungous Kitchen of the Chateau had every possible impliment for cooking and four huge Gas ranges. And all was in "Giant" size. The ceilings were 16 feet high, if an inch, and the tables were Castle size .
Pots abounded and we could cook anything we could drag in.
Down the steps of the Chateau was a little street with patisseries and Boulangers that sold Kronenburg Beer in Liter bottles with corks for 50cents US each.and Baguettes for a quarter(1Fr) and Moroccan oranges for a dime each. These extras added spice and life to the meals we cooked in the big Kichen on the hill.
a ten minute bus ride on number (8or 13) bus takes you from Le vieux Port to St Barnaby and Bois Luzy.
Returning in July-August of the next summer, we camped in the garden and used the kitchen and the showers etc. as was warm out .
A Swedish or German guy treated 25 people to his "Farmer's Omlette" for dinner withe gallons of red wine and fruit for desert.
The very walls of the hostel are decorated with real Mozaics of the Pre Revolution Days. The stairwell in the main lobby has the nicest one.
Le grand Chef is a reasonable guy who has been a wonderful Hostel Keeper for almost 40 years . He must be almost 80 now. Please give him some gredit for keeping this jewel of Louis Seize for us to enjoy and help him out a little.
As for the complainers : Let Them Eat Cake!!
Vive le Grand Chef!!!!! !!!!
Sincerely,
David J, Potter