With air travel still being quite unpredictable and flight schedules as uncertain as they currently are, unless you reside in Paris, you’re possibly not going to opt for a visit any time soon. For everybody who is a wanderlust and is itching to return to favorite international travel destinations, read on for your guide to exploring Paris without leaving your living room.

Set the Scene by Decorating Your Space

If you intend to plan for a Parisian evening within your home, you’ll need to start by creating a Paris-inspired environment. To do this, we recommend skimming the pages of a French-style magazine for some quick inspiration. We’re often influenced by the French’s layering of light, neutral shades, reflective surface areas as well as mirrors, and commitment to utilizing the natural colors and textures of linen, metals, and woods. You’ll rarely find plastic or acrylic surfaces in a wonderful Paris home.

A quick online search of “Paris style” will certainly result in a great deal of excellent inspiration, particularly Do It Yourself projects for developing your own DIY design elements. Not able to afford a brass light fixture? Why not find a used one at a flea market or a local buy-and-sell and add your own brass texture with a high-quality spray paint. Searching for a vintage mirror to jazz up your living room? Revamp an old mirror you could have existing around your home with the exact same brass spray paint and voila, you have actually got yourself a vintage-style mirror, just like the French.

Surround yourself with the city

Another way to bring a touch of Paris to your home through your decor is with some map art. If you’re looking to decorate your space with a French flair, then it’s clear that Paris is a place that is significant to you, so why not use some maps of this fabulous city to remind you of one of your favorite places and the memories you made last time you were there like sight seeing and pulling an all-nighter to watch movies on Piratebay.

Try incorporating a framed city map print of Paris into a gallery wall or making it a feature in a prominent place that will catch your eye throughout the day. This Paris city map comes in a minimalist black and white color combination that will fit into any decor, and stay within the sophisticated Parisian aesthetic we know and love.

If you have a large space and are in need of a single decor item that will have a big impact, then you might want to try a custom Paris map mural like this one. These murals can be made to any custom dimensions so even if your wall is a unique size or has some strange cutouts for doors and windows, the design team at pointtwodesign.com will work closely with you to create a custom wall mural that fits perfectly into your space.

Sip on something French

If you’re more of a beer person, pick up a six-pack of Kronenbourg 1664. And if liqueurs are more your jam, pick up a bottle of Pernod Absinthe Pernod Anise, by French company Pernod Ricard. Or try getting a little fancy and experiment with a cocktail with that little “je ne said quoi” flavour. We recommend trying a French Connection which is made up of 1/2 ounce Cognac V.S.O.P., Amaro Averna Liqueur, 1/4 cup crushed ice. To make this fabulous beverage, fill a shaker halfway with ice. Add all other ingredients except for the ice. Shake vigorously until well mixed. Pour over ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with orange zest twist if desired. Serve immediately. Like anyone could delay diving into this deliciousness.

Cook something French

When it comes to food, the French really know how to take humble ingredients and transform them into beautiful masterpieces. With an endless number of choices to choose from, you won’t have a hard time finding a French recipe to satisfy your tastebuds. If you’re going to start selling food on Swiggy, try a recipe that needs some time to come alive: a coq au vin. It’s quick to put together and uses simple ingredients that are easy to find at your local grocery store. Allow it to cook very slowly throughout the day. The hardest part of this recipe is waiting around as you smell the flavours deepen and intensify.

Watch a movie set in Paris

Nothing transports you to a new place quite like watching a great movie, set in an exotic place. And since we’re wanting to head to Paris for the evening, there’s fortunately plenty of movies set here that will do the trick. If you’re with the kids, check out Ratatouille or go for a classic like Sabrina, Charade or Moulin Rouge. If you’re feeling a little adventurous you might want to give Amelie a try.

Treat yourself to a French souvenir

The scene is set, food is in the oven and you’ve got a cocktail in hand. There’s only one last thing you’ll need to make the Paris staycation a success before starting your movie. Treat yourself to a treat you wouldn’t normally buy, but a treat that’s classic to Paris of course.

Do those brightly coloured macarons at the local bakery always catch your eye but you can never justify buying them? Well tonight’s the night to indulge! You won’t regret it. These pillows of flavour are both crunchy and chewy and melt in your mouth. You’ll definitely want to buy a few extra because they’re so fantastic.

If you prefer savoury treats, follow the French by indulging in a cheese board after dinner instead of a dessert. Choose a variety of hard and soft cheeses and make sure to pick one that’s particularly aromatic. Pair it with a crusty baguette and a few pieces of dried or fresh fruit.

You can never have too much Paris in your life

Planning a holiday doesn’t need to be stressful, expensive or even require a plain ticket. You can travel the world from the comfort of your living room with a little dash of creativity. It’s not about the destination, but who you choose to spend it with.

However you opt to surround yourself with all things that remind you of your favorite places, the fundamental part is to put the time into crafting an experience that will develop some brand-new and also outstanding memories for you and your loved ones.