Bit on the side in Paris very inspired by escape (8)
I believe the answer is:
mistress
'bit on the side' is the definition.
(both can mean a secret lover)
'very inspired by escape' is the wordplay.
'very' becomes 'tres' ('very' in French).
'inspired by' indicates putting letters inside (some letters breathed in or 'inspired' by others).
'escape' becomes 'miss' (synonyms).
'tres' placed inside 'miss' is 'MISTRESS'.
'in paris' is the link.
This may not be correct. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mistress that I've seen before include "Lady" , "Bit on the side" , "Woman teacher" , "Woman in control" , "lover" .)