Approach with caution—the following authentic French cuisine may induce cravings for the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Elysees.

Nestled in the corner of the Granville Island Market, a new French-style rotisserie shop is spinning things up. L’Epicerie offers local, hormone-free, free—range chickens, lamb and beef, all of which are prepared on site for ultimate freshness. From their luscious duck sausage sandwiches and juicy rotisserie chickens to their clean quinoa salads and bottles of imported flavoured lemonades, L’Epicerie is sure to satisfy your appetite. In addition to the incredible food, their selection of French vinegars, olive oils, and sweets are worthy of a visit. Our sunny-day choice was the roasted vegetable sandwich with brie, a pesto and roasted chicken sandwich, and a bean and chic pea salad.

Start packing that Bastille Day picnic (and don't forget the wine!). —Adrienne Salter

L’Epicerie, Granville Island, 1689 Johnston St., Vancouver, 604-771-3248.

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