One of my favorite hostels was in a rural area of the Loire valley in France. This was many years ago and I have no idea if the hostel still exists. My recollection is that the hostel had rudimentary toilets and showers in an separate building, almost like an outhouse. But, the hostel had a restaurant-quality kitchen, and sold very drinkable local wine out of a cask for about US 50 cents per pitcher. (contrast that with hostels in most anglophone countries where alcohol was strictly forbidden) There was a lovely courtyard with long picnic tables. It made for a very convivial atmosphere, with everyone eating, drinking, and conversing outside in the courtyard all evening.

I also have fond memories of a hostel in the interior of Brittany. I was biking there with 2 friends from Germany. There was also a cyclist from Canada at the hostel, and a young Frenchwoman. It poured rain for 3 straight days so none of us departed, and no one else arrived. We had a wonderful time. We had great conversations. We prepared some delicious meals together, and bought cheese and cider from a nearby farmhouse.