Things to do during your first weekend in Paris

The allure of Paris in the springtime is hard to deny, and France’s capital city sparkles all summer long, too. Whether you’ve come to town for work or play, there are countless things to do in the City of Light.

Blueground wants all of our guests to feel at home as soon as they move into one of our turnkey furnished Paris apartments. That’s why our furnished apartments in Europe, the Middle East, and North America come standard with everything you need to live well, including fast Wi-Fi, fully equipped kitchens, and comfortable work-from-home setups.

The beauty of choosing to rent with Blueground is that you can spend your first out on the town, not shopping for furniture, new pots and pans, or linens. Here are just a few of our favorite things to do in Paris.

Friday: Fresh Baguettes and a Jewel Heist

There’s no better introduction to Paris than a visit to one of the city’s most celebrated bakeries. Make your way to Boulangerie Utopie for some of the best loaves of bread you can find anywhere. The shop is very popular, so don’t be discouraged if you see a line around the block. Utopie also has delicious sandwiches. Why not pick one up for dinner?

Your TV is all set up in your apartment, so get comfortable and take a cinematic tour of Paris from your new home. There are countless movies set in the City of Light, and you can’t go wrong with films like Amélie or Charade. If you’re in the mood for something a little different, we loved the Netflix series Lupin. Based on Maurice Leblanc’s classic tales of Arsène Lupin, gentleman thief, this thrilling 10-part drama is set in present-day Paris. You’ll see the Louvre Museum on the small screen, along with other Paris landmarks like the Jardin du Luxembourg and the Pont des Arts, one of the city’s most famous bridges.

Saturday: Exploring Paris’s Underworld

Paris is full of historic sites, but there’s nothing quite like the Paris Catacombs, labyrinthine underground tunnels filled with bones that were transferred from Paris’s cemeteries in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The Paris Municipal Ossuary debuted on April 7, 1786, but even that far back locals referred to the site as the catacombs, a nod to the even more ancient Roman catacombs.

When you enter the catacombs you’ll eventually descend to a depth of 66 feet (20 meters) below sea level! You will also want to bring a sweater or hoodie, as it’s chilly underground no matter what the temperature is like outside. Also, be sure to book online in advance of your visit, as tickets are required for entry and can sell out fast.

Sunday: A Stroll Through the Past

Paris has more than its fair share of lovely gardens and parks. Tourists flock to the Jardin du Luxembourg, and with good reason. Luckily, the park is so large that you won’t be overwhelmed by crowds.

The park has gorgeously maintained formal gardens that were once the sole domain of royalty. Marie de’ Medici, the widow of France’s King Henry IV, commissioned the original gardens in 1612. It’s easy to spend a whole afternoon wandering through this serene 57-acre (23 hectares) greenspace.

There are more than a hundred fountains, monuments, and statues within the park, as well as the notable Musée du Luxembourg, which is currently running an exhibiton of women painters. If you’re feeling especially ambitous, the Eiffel Tower is just a short distance away.

At Blueground, we want all of our guests to feel like locals from day one, whether you’re staying for a month or a year. That’s why we outfit our furnished apartments in Paris and our other global markets with absolutely everything you need to feel at home in a new place. Find out more about the Blueground experience.