Solférino Backpackers

Hi everyone
We are a little family of 3 starting up a backpackers - we're only half open and we have little Teo (born oct 2022) who also keeps us on our toes. Samantha is a yoga teacher and Damien renovated and runs the hostel himself, so your help will be much much appreciated.
There are a huge amount of activities to do near us, all within very close walking distance max 5 min walk:
- a river to sit by or even bathe in if you're brave (very cold!)
- an outdoor climbing wall - for all levels
- a rock face climbing spot for experienced climbers
- a via-ferrata
- bungee jumping from the Pont Napoléon
- thermal baths
- the start of numerous small walks, most leading onto bigger hikes
A little further a field you can also find:
- The cirque of Gavarnie is 30 minutes away by car - with the largest waterfall in Europe
- a Local monday morning market with local produce - also sometimes there are artisinal markets
- Water sports (fishing and swimming in the rivers) in summer
- winter sports (3 resorts within 25 mins drive)
- cycling (Col du Tourmalet)
- paragliding
- local Brewery (15 min walk)
And so much more including some spectacular day or multiday hikes (the GR10 goes right past our front door and the Neoville national park isn't far...)

We will share good, home-made meals - We don't eat much meat - and are comfortable hosting vegetarians. We dont cater for snacks and share alcohol if you enjoy drinking.
There are two supermarkets, x3 bakeries, x2 butchers, a grocers and cheese and wine shops in the village (15 min walk from us)

Sam is a yoga teacher and you're welcome to join her classes if there's room - it is her profession but at your discretion as to whether you offer a donation or not.

There are guitars and a bar room in the hostel with table tennis for your use on your time off.

We will be happy to help you and teach you a bit of French and English expressions. We also speak some Spanish but are a little rusty so it could be nice for us to practice that too.
We have travelled a lot and love to share stories of travel, culture, adventures. We also enjoy political, environmental and social discussions and love learning about people's cultures and local histories so feel free to share and chat away with us. We can be opinionated but keep an open mind :D

We have a few basic bikes available for short rides or going into town.
You can also use our washing machine.

You will be treated with respect and we have been doing workaway for years now so we like the exchange of getting to know our volunteers and sharing meals, laughs, stories, our different cultures (of you and Sam (uk) and Damien (french)). We will hope you'll enjoy the backpacker vibe and spend time, if you wish, with the backpackers and other volunteer who will be there at the same time as you. We equally expect to be treated with respect, and our buinsesses which we've worked so hard to create. To clear up after yourselves and help collective tasks outside working hours (like if we're eating together to help with washing up/setting the table/perhaps cooking or preparing a meal once or twice for us all when you're here would be lovely). Don't hesitate to ask us any questions. We are opinionated but open minded people who have travelled a fair amount of the world and love nature and being nestled in the mountains.