A battle is raging on Rue Du Faubourg Saint-Denis, a shabby Paris street where hip bars are sprouting like mushrooms, and it's part of a wider war in the city pitching sleep-starved residents against nocturnal revellers.

A Senegalese-born French fashion designer realised a long-held ambition when she staged the first Black Fashion Week in Paris aimed at bringing African talent to a global audience.

Marc Jacobs capped an incredibly strong Paris fashion week with his collection for Louis Vuitton shown at The Lourve. Miuccia Prada, who presides over a lucrative fashion empire, felled a small forest in aid of her presentation for Miu Miu, one of the final day's other big shows. Elie Saab threw huge graphic chunks of moon rock down the catwalk as set, to evoke his more geometric theme.

London-based Vivienne Westwood led the crowd, celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, but travelling via Japan, Russia, Spain and Africa. Viktor & Rolf, meanwhile, went back to their signature plays on oversized proportion to produce a glitzy show as they prepare to celebrate 20 years since they founded the label. The epitome of femininity, Cacharel, explored spring through the natural colors of mother nature, in a trademark delicate display.

The setting may have been grand but the shows on the first day in Paris are often low-key, a showcase for emerging talent.

The common garden snail may not seem appetising, but the French have raised it to a level of luxury and international renown. Viva visits a farm where production is not as slow as you might expect.

Michele Hewitson ticks off the items on her Paris to-do lists and discovers even more to do.

P. K. Stowers climbs onto an electric bicycle for a guided tour uncovering the secrets of Paris.

The Chloe fashion house is celebrating its 60th birthday during Paris Fashion Week but its spring-summer 2013 show proved it's still as fresh as a daisy. Stella McCartney describes her collection as a fresh, optimistic and relaxed spring-summer outing. But Hedi Slimane's debut for Yves Saint Laurent caused fashion editors to disappointingly drop their pens half way through.