Gridskipper

Once inside this cozy pub on the Ile St-Louis, you might almost forget you're in the middle of Paris instead of a ski lodge in the Rockies. With its log cabin décor and walls lined with winter sports equipment,… the Beaver is a little piece of Canadian kitsch heaven. Popular with the local Québecois, the pub provides a nice selection of beers on tap along with a hearty pub menu (including two kinds of poutine). Wednesday and Friday nights feature music performances, while the pub offers brunch and sports programs on the weekend. [link]

A hip hangout for sports enthusiasts, this bar and grill near the Carrefour de l'Odéon is a little bit rock 'n' roll and a little bit Hockey Night in Canada. Along with the obligatory beer options, the Moose also… offers a creative cocktail menu, including the "Maple Dew," a drink enhanced with a shot of maple syrup. Food selections range from pasta and burgers to an impressive list of poutine preparations (seven in all). Happy hour runs every day 4-8:30 p.m., and brunch is available Sundays 11 a.m.-2 p.m. [link]

Just a block away from the bustle of Place Saint-Michel, the Great Canadian Pub offers a relaxing respite for footsore tourists and a haven for sports fanatics. With a lovely view of the Seine, the Great Canadian… is good place to unwind at the end of the day with a cold pint and a burger. Boasting a full schedule of various sporting events showing on its five big-screen TVs, sports fans may be tempted to make the pub a home away from home. [link]

Located on the rue de la Parcheminerie, in a building dating from the 1730s, the Abbey Bookshop is literally filled to the rafters with new and used books from the US, the UK, and Canada (both French and English… titles). Proprietor and Canadian expat Brian Spence creates a welcoming atmosphere amidst the seeming chaos and provides special ordering and shipping services as requested. The store also carries Canadian newspapers and hosts the Canadian Club, a literary group founded in 1996. [link]

This cute boutique on the rue St. Paul bills itself as an American grocery store, but Canadians will also recognize many of the products on its shelves. Whether you're looking for baking ingredients or comfort food,… Thanksgiving is a good place to satisfy a craving for a taste of North America. The store also serves as the base for a catering business and a Cajun restaurant (another Canadian connection, since the Cajuns are descendants of eastern Canada's Acadians). On American Thanksgiving and the two days after it, the store offers the full turkey meal both through its catering service and at the restaurant. [link]

Situated at number 35 on the ultra-fashionable Avenue Montaigne, the Canadian Embassy rubs shoulders with such ritzy neighbors as the Plaza Athenée Hotel and outposts of luxury brands such as Dior, Chanel, Gucci,… Bulgari, and Louis Vuitton. Despite its high-rent locale, the Embassy provides more down-to-earth services for resident and visiting Canadians needing to renew their passports or to replace ones that have been lost or stolen. For those looking for this kind of assistance, be aware that the Embassy will be closed for the holiday on October 8. (photo) [link]