Central Paris hostels: €35-50/night in dorms.

MIJE Fourcy (Marais): €28/night in 17th century mansion, €6 breakfast. Book direct for best rates, Rue de Fourcy.

Generator Paris (10th): €32/night, modern, good security, 5 minutes from Gare du Nord on Métro Line 4.

Hotel des Jeunes (4th): €25/night but 1am curfew on Rue de Fourcy. Worth it if you're not hitting Pigalle bars.

Budget hotels: Hotel Chopin in Passage Jouffroy (9th), €85/night double. Tiny but inside covered passage near Grands Boulevards Métro.

Airbnb Belleville/Ménilmontant: €40-60/night whole apartments. Line 11 to République takes 15 minutes.

Total daily budget: €50 including accommodation, food, Navigo transport if you shop at Monoprix and cook meals.