We may not be heading to Paris anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean we can immerse ourselves in "La Ville-Lumière," without even leaving the comfort of our couch.

As far as we’re concerned, Midnight in Paris is the movie must-see of the summer. Follow along with Owen Wilson as he meanders through time, partying with F. Scott Fitzgerald and his irrepressible wife, Zelda, pounding back drinks with Ernest Hemmingway, discussing his own literary merit with Gertrude Stein, and savouring the artistic temperament of Salvador Dali, Picasso and Toulouse Lautrec in Woody Allen’s magical tale of self-exploration and discovery.

Having had a taste of Paris in the '20s, turn the pages of The Paris Wife by Paula McLain. Told from the point of view of Ernest Hemmingway’s first wife, Hadley Richardson, this beautiful book takes the reader from the initial spark of meeting, to the eventual ashes of their ruined relationship. $18.77 at Amazon.ca

A sojourn in Paris may be no further than the Internet. We get outfit inspiration from Easy Fashion in Paris, filled with eye-catching photos of fashion fresh from the streets of Paris, turn to Meg Zimbeck’s Eating Paris blog for a feast for the eyes, and soak in the life of La Coquette to imagine our parallel life as an expat in Paris. And sometimes we take a peek into the life of our very own Parisienne à Montréal, editor of Vitamine du Jour, Elsa Vecchi.

—Jennifer Nachshen

During our last trip to Paris, we realized that our Canadian chic look was equivalent to Parisian frump.

We’ll happily take lessons on dressing like a true Parisian from fashion icon, Lagerfeld muse and l’Oréal Brand Ambassador, Inès de la Fressange. In her new book, Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Inès de la Fressange, the ex-Chanel model provides pointers on mixing key basics with couture touches, submits seven wardrobe essentials (blazer, trench, navy sweater, tank, little black dress, jeans, leather jacket), and offers tips on where to shop for them (in Paris and online). Accented with photos of her fashionable daughter, model Nine d’Urso, and her own illustrations, this stylish softcover will help you feel like you’re spending springtime in Paris. —JN

Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Inès de la Fressange ($21.32) at Amazon.ca

We love shopping in Paris! Especially when we can do it from the comfort of our office in Montreal.

Lollipops Paris recently launched an online store for Canadians to purchase their chic and whimsical bags, shoes, wallets and jewellery from home. We have our eye on the glam rock Jiamonds High Boots, the adorable Jhot purse and the quirky-cute Japple bangle.

Sweet as candy!

www.lollipopsparis.ca

Sure, we go to Paris to admire the impressionists in the Musée d’Orsay or drool over fashion history in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, but we always end up spending most of our time indulging ourselves in food, drink, and shopping.

sleep
Located in the working class 20e arondissement, the Philippe Starck-designed hotel Mama Shelter offers urban-oasis styling on a budget. With quirky touches like plastic masks for bedside lamps (our room had Shrek and Princess Fiona), chalkboard ceilings, and elevators wallpapered with fun facts, as well as hallway mirrors listing neighbourhood concerts and events, it’s clear that this Mama is the loving kind. Rooms start at €99/night. 109 rue de Bagnolet, 75020, Paris, +33 (0)1 43 48 48 48, www.mamashelter.com

eat
Tucked away from the noisy red-light atmosphere of Le Pigalle is the charming garden courtyard restaurant at the Hotel Amour. Far from its old clientele during its by-the-hour days, the restaurant and bar now cater to a chic crowd who like to dine on tartare de boeuf, then play foosball in the basement. Hotel Restaurant Amour, 8, Rue Navarin, 75009 Paris, +33 (0)1 48 78 31 80, www.hotelamourparis.fr

drink
Hidden behind a vine-covered black gate is Le Très Particulier, the private bar at the Hotel Particulier Montmartre. Knock and say you are there to “boire un verre,” and then let David, the New York bartender, fix you one of his original creations. Reservations are a must. 23, Avenue Junot, 75018 Paris, +33 (0)1 53 41 81 40, www.hotel-particulier-montmartre.com

shop
Forget Colette! Merci is the newest lifestyle concept store creating a buzz in Paris. Browse the airy loft for clothes, books, furniture and even flowers. With proceeds going to a foundation helping children and women in Madagascar, designers including Annick Goutal, Yves Saint Laurent, and Stella McCartney offer custom items at 30 per cent off. Merci, 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris, +33 (0)1 42 77 78 92, www.merci-merci.com

Paris is best enjoyed one neighbourhood at a time, so we settled in the charming pedestrian area of Montorgueil, once painted by Monet, for a week of pâtisseries, bistros and boutiques.

stay
You won’t find many hotels in this quaint Parisian quarter, so opt for the cute and cozy Carroussel rental apartment and its quirky mix of old and new. Up above, old wooden beams, down below, new hardwood floors and a cherry red kitchen that stows a handy washer/dryer. The spot is so quiet, you might be fooled into thinking you’re living outside city limits. €91 per night for seven nights, through Paris Hideaways, http://studio.provaction.com

eat
Your morning ritual must include pain au chocolat from the best bakery on the main market street, La Maison Stohrer (pictured), est. 1730. Its pastries are so good, you’ll seriously consider mortgaging your home to have the pâtissier FedEx you a dozen every day. 51, Rue Montorgueil, Paris, +33 01 04 13 01 61, www.stohrer.fr

drink
The area is brimming with trendy bars inhabited by Paris' young and restless, so make it your aim to stumble into a different establishment every night. At the simply named 2éme Arrt, you find good drinks, tasty tapas and a friendly owner who’ll join your table and chat you up. 49, Rue Montmartre, Paris, +33 01 40 26 75 51.

shop
Down rue Montmartre and its side streets, you’ll find French favourites Cotélac and Zadig & Voltaire. But for those with a shoe fetish, step into 58m for gorgeous soles by French designers Avril Gau, Sartore and Michel Vivien, and soft, sumptuous bags by Jerome Dreyfuss. 58, rue Montmartre, Paris, +33 01 40 26 61 01, www.58m.fr

Soon Montreal will have one more reason to call itself the ‘Paris of North America.’

Adopt a new bikestyle on May 1 when the city rolls out 3,000 fetching aluminum BIXI bikes. Rent yours by the hour from solar-powered docking stations at 300 metro stations. 

Pedal to the metal.

Register at 514-789-2494, membership $78/year plus $1.50/hour rental fee, www.bixi.ca

Like she was dipped in the sugar plum fairy’s dust, Paris sparkled as we skipped through her streets on our pre-Christmas mini break.

Stay
Handily located only steps from the Bon Marché it doesn’t get much better than Le Placide. A true boutique hotel, this 12-room gem is small, private and chic. The rooms are unexpectedly spacious (minimal and white with splashes of Kenzo accents) and the breakfast (artisanal breads, pastries, soft cheeses, cured meats and jams) is a tasty start to the day. From €290 per night. 6 rue Saint Placide, Paris, France. www.leplacidehotel.com

Shop
From big name brands to unusual indie labels, shopping in Paris is an experience like no other. Once you’ve fawned over those Frette towels and Goyard vanities, take a stroll over to Cire Trudon for a whiff of the most exquisite candles you’ll ever burn. Established in 1643, this exclusive wax boutique provides candles to churches and castles across France. Leave a corner in your Longchamp for at least one. We’re burning the wonderful ‘Ernesto’—woody, wintery and warm. 78 Rue de Seine, Paris, France. http://ciretrudon.com

Eat
At famous Parisian brasserie Relais de l'Entrecôte there is only one decision to make: bleu, saignant, à point or bien cuit. Steak is the only thing on the menu and you can expect plenty of it. The frites are divine as is the tarragon sauce your meat swims in. Various locations,  www.relaisentrecote.fr

Drink
Enjoy a warm tisane and lemon macaroons or a glass of bubbles at the Hotel Costes. It’s moodily lit and very chic—the perfect post-shopping pit stop. 239 Rue Saint Honoré, Paris. www.hotelcostes.com

For more Paris tips and photos, see Toronto's Editors' Diary.

Why wait for spring? We like Paris anytime.

stay

For an affordable room steps from the Seine, we suggest Hotel Esmerelda. A listed monument, this 17th-century building is a little lopsided but oozes charm. Unfortunately there is no elevator, but the higher you go the better the views of the Notre Dame. From CDN$140/night, 4 rue St-Julien-le-Pauvre, 5th, metro St-Michel +33 1 4354 1920.

shop

Romantic, ethereal and edgy, Moon Younghee is one of our favourite designers working in Paris. She only makes one of each piece and the shop is next to the atelier so you can pop next door to try on your clothes and see the patterns being cut. 62, Rue Charlot, +33 1 48 04 39 78.

eat

For the most decadent patisserie in Paris head to Ladurée. The orange flower macaroons coupled with thé Marie Antoinette (a blend of citrus, rose and jasmine) is hard to resist. www.laduree.fr

do

Rising above the rooflines of the royal palace, Sainte Chapelle is one of the most exquisite churches in the world. On a sunny day, the colours of the floor-to-ceiling stained glass will take your breath away. http://sainte-chapelle.monuments-nationaux.fr/en/

Who doesn’t love Paris in the spring? But the culture, cuisine, champagne and shopping are just as fetching in the shoulder season.

Stay
Until Shangri-La Hotels finishes the renos on the Bonaparte family mansion, we prefer to stay at the très friendly Hotel Nicolo, just a short walk from the Eiffel Tower. Doubles from $175 including tax and petit dejeuner. www.hotel-nicolo.fr

Eat
Rubbing elbows with your neighbours is part of the fun at Left Bank bistro, Le Comptoir. A revered gastro-pub that serves expertly prepared regional, seasonal cuisine. Le Comptoir, 9, Carrefour de l'Odéon.

Drink
Culture? Check. Sipping bubbles at the Centre Georges Pompidou’s stunning eatery Georges is art. Absorb the avant-garde, Space Odyssey design and all-male legion of gorgeous French waiters. Stop in at twilight when the city skyline explodes into sparkling lights. www.centrepompidou.fr

Shop
Get lost down fabled French streets as you pilgrimage to the surprisingly subtle shop of the red-sole master cobbler, Christian Louboutin. Victor, a virtual Prince Charming, will whisk a stocking upon your weary feet as you step into the world’s most beautiful shoes. Hello Cinderella. 19 Rue Jean- Jacques Rousseau, www.christianlouboutin.fr

Do
Leave the masses at Notre Dame and walk over the bridge to quaint Ile Saint Louis for the best ice cream known to man at Berthillon (31, rue St Louis-en-l'Ile). Reminiscent of a 17th Century French village, the island features markets, bakeries, fromageries, cafés and adorable boutiques.