When Paris Calls - A List of Inspiration for the Obsessed

Paris seems to have this power over people. A friend recently asked me "what is the most romantic place you've ever been?". The answer was simple: Paris.

Sometimes I just get this hankering for some Paris. It calls to me from thousands of miles away. The lights, food, attractions, history, and romance are inspirational and addictive. When I can't go to Paris and I need to satisfy my hunger for it, I refer to my list, and I wanted to share it here with you.

Haven in Paris offers luxury apartments and villas for vacationers around the world. They are a great way to live an authentic Parisian lifestyle while visiting the city. Most of the properties boast amenities such as washers and dryers, a patio or balcony, full dining rooms, tv's, computers, and much more. Some may even cost you just as much as a hotel for a week, if you share with the whole family.

I just love to look at their website and dream about living in the spaces they have available. I'm sure you will, too.

Paris Attitude also lists Paris apartments for rent, but at a much more affordable price. They list furnished apartments with 1-4 bedrooms. They provide lots of great pictures and details about each property. I especially love this one with the adjoining apartment, just in case you want to take the entire family along.

La Patisserie Des Reves is indeed the pastry shop of dreams. The shop goes against the Paris grain by displaying cakes and pastries in futuristic pulley domes, even allowing you to make a complete 360 around the main dispaly. From financiers to chaussons aux pommes, they have everything to make you drool.

Popelini understands that not everyone is in Paris for macarons, so they serve up choux à la crème - or cream puffs. Their delicious flavors include praline, rose & raspberry, and milk chocolate with passion fruit. Yummers.

Jacques Genin serves delectable desserts and chocolates in their 17th century limestone building. The company is most known for their caramels, which are sold by the pound for a mere $65 per pound. Take a look at a 360 view of the store here.

One can't speak of French pastries without mentioning Ladurée. The Parisian tea salon and producers of the macaron have been in business since 1862. Although they have shops around the world, the company is synonymous with Paris and thousands of visitors flock to it every year for a taste of this delicate delight. There are several locations around Paris, the most popular being their Champs Elysées location.

24 Hours Paris is an interactive map that will display everything that is going on in Paris for the subsequent 24 hours. They say "There's more to Paris than the Eiffel Tower. From seduction classes to roof-top barbecues and floating cinemas, 24 Hours Paris is your around-the-clock guide to what's on, when, beyond the tourist track." Click here to view the map.

Want to explore all of the fantastic flea markets that Paris has to offer, but don't know where to find them? There's an app for that! Check out Keys to the Fleas via the App Store for only $1.99.

Of course while in Paris you could visit the Louvre, but I would recommend trying something a little bit less touristy. Check out the Gagosian Gallery, which houses some fantastic pieces by Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Damien Hurst and more.

Perhaps try taking in a live performance at Le Trianon (not to be confused with le petite trianon) to experience live French music could get you in the Parisian mood. Performers include Indy bands to international superstars. In the main theatre, every balcony has its own hall and staircase which comes down in to the ballroom.

Want to experience what modern Paris has to offer? Take in a movie at La Cinematheque, a theatre designed by famed architect (although Canadian) Frank Gehry. The building also holds the largest archives of films, movie documents and film-related objects in the entire world.

FRANGLISH lanugage exchange is a conversation exchange event for native French, Spanish and English speakers in Paris, Nice and London. It's like language speed dating where you speak in French for 7 minutes, then English for 7 minutes.

That's what movies and the internet are here for! To help us escape to another world, or another city, like Paris. I loved Midnight in Paris, which you can watch online via Amazon. Or even a classic like Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face.