Your guide to living like a local in Paris

Paris should be on everyone’s bucket list. There’s a never-ending number of parks, museums, restaurants, and bakeries to explore. And that’s just scratching the surface. Whether you come to town for work or play, you won’t ever get bored when living in a fully furnished Blueground apartment in Paris. 

After Blueground’s brand ambassador Abigail Akinyemi spent an entire month in the French capital, she shared some of her favorite Paris spots with us. Keep reading to discover her essential advice! 

What to see & do in Paris

The City of Light has loads of picture-perfect places. Abigail’s top spot for an Instagrammable moment? “Absolutely anywhere that the Eiffel Tower is visible. But the best location, in my opinion, is Trocadero Gardens.”

For those wanting to experience a bit of nature while in Paris, three areas stood out to Blueground’s ambassador: Luxembourg Gardens, Parc Monceau, and Versailles.

Ready for a day trip outside the city center? Abigail enjoyed her time exploring Versailles and Champagne. If you want to avoid the crowds even more, consider a weekend away to Provence, Marseille, or Cassis.

The best eats & drinks

You’d better go to Paris with an appetite. It’s practically the culinary capital of the world! Abigail raved about steak frites and all of the French pastries she tried, but admitted, “My favorite is the citron tartelette.” As for her favorite eatery? The classic French restaurant Josephine Chez Dumonet topped her list.

With local cafes on almost every corner, there are endless options for remote workers as well. “A restaurant I recommend is Fabula,” said Abigail. “It’s a very quiet oasis in the middle of the city, set inside a garden.”

Then again, since Blueground apartments feature fully equipped kitchens, you can always cook at home. Abigail’s favorite grocery store was Franprix, which was great for staples. “But I recommend shopping at the local market for produce, a boulangerie for bread, and a fish monger for fish,” she said. 

And at night, when you need the perfect cocktail, go check out the Little Red Door. It’s a cozy speakeasy where you might want to become a regular. 

Insider tips for travelers

Staying in Paris for a month or more with Blueground means you pick up a few handy pieces of advice. For instance, Abigail suggested that if you take public transportation, “Get a Navigo pass. You can buy a book of 10 tickets or for a few days, depending on how long you’ll be visiting. It works for the bus and train.”

And remember, when in Paris, it’s polite to attempt to speak French. At least a little bit. “Always try and start a conversation in French when meeting anyone new,” Abigail said. “Then ask if you can switch to English.” 

Can’t speak the language at all? Don’t worry! You can download Google Translate offline so you’re able to communicate with anyone! Be sure to “favorite” key phrases to help you get started.

One last detail to keep in mind when staying in Paris: WC is code for water closet, AKA the bathroom. This is essential info when you’re in public and searching for a quick pit stop.

Follow Abigail on Instagram to see get a firsthand look at her adventures as she continues her six-month trip around the world with Blueground.