The network of youth hostels Hi! France looking for a buyer, five Breton establishments concerned

The guillotine fell on March 13: the united federation of youth hostels (FUAJ) was placed in liquidation by the Paris judicial court, as reported by L’Informateur. The organization operates 50 establishments under the Hi! France brand, either on its own, in cooperation, or through investment. This liquidation comes with a crucial reprieve: a three-month renewable stay of activity. This decision allows the 50 network establishments to remain open. For Breton Anne Gandais, president of FUAJ, the objective is clear: to ensure the continuity of service while finding a lasting solution. “Enough to get through the season,” she reassured, as takeover offers must be submitted by April 10.

The stakes are high for this network representing 317 full-time equivalents. Brittany is directly involved. FUAJ manages three sites there (Cancale, 35; Saint-Brieuc; Pontivy, 56) and fully owns youth hostels in Belle-Île-en-Mer (56) and Groix (56). During the summer, the activity represents “around forty jobs in the region,” specified Anne Gandais.

Solidarity tourism at risk?

“We hope for a buyer for the entire national network, the offer has just been published and there are, I believe, signs of interest. Our primary mission is to offer vacations for all, and we would prefer a player in solidarity tourism to continue in this direction. If a traditional hotel group takes over the establishments, this reception will no longer be guaranteed,” worried Anne Gandais.

The youth hostels of the FUAJ network notably welcome school groups, vacation camps, and sports clubs. Since the health crisis, a new clientele of families looking for affordable stays has also invested these places. After a continuation plan in 2019, FUAJ saw its turnover increase from 27 million euros in 2022 to 32 million in 2024, but was unable to overcome significant debt. “We managed to survive the COVID without layoffs, the rise in energy prices… 2024 was a very good year, but 2025 was very bad,” continued the president, highlighting “numerous cancellations of groups in a complicated budgetary context for communities.” However, 2026 was shaping up to be a year of recovery: “We had a very good winter season and summer looks promising. These are good signals to find a buyer,” she hopes.