Paris, we love you! Obviously.

We know Paris is associated with all things romantic and chic, so visiting the city during a time like fashion week in February, means the familiar atmosphere will still be there but extras like greatly dressed people and major celebrities roaming the streets should be expected. In this, the second post from travel and fashion blogger Abi Marvel, she looks back at her in Paris during fashion week. Missed her first post? Read it here.

A city like Paris needs to be completely experienced. As far as I’m concerned you really can’t get to know the place unless you stay in a Parisian apartment and really work to experience the capital like a local, my personal favourite is this place. It’s modern, cool and chilled.

Before booking a place to stay, the first thing you’ve got to figure out is location. Do a little research to be sure you choose an area which is perfect for your needs. Whether it’s the charming 3rd and 4th arrondissement (right bank) with its art galleries and cafés, a bolthole at the foot of the Eiffel tower or perhaps a sightseeing and shopping base in the 1st (near the Louvre) with its large avenues and luxury boutiques. Decide which location you want to stay in, and then the fun can truly begin.

We all want our Parisian experience to be ‘magical’ and for me, one particular street embodied those ‘magical qualities’; Rue Saint-Honoré. Typical? Perhaps, but the sheer amount of cool boutiques and stores it posses is pretty outstanding, places like Colette (213 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, France) and Aesop (256, Rue Saint Honoré) should definitely be visited.

Whilst I was in Paris, I headed to a few fashion shows and the great thing about them is, besides the fact that you to see the latest collections, you also get to see all the breathtakingly beautiful buildings they take place in. All around the city, you can enjoy stunning architecture, so be sure to bring your camera and an empty memory card, as you’ll get a little snappy-happy as I obviously did.

When not at shows, you want to make sure that you’re getting your fill of great food! For me, it was all about the Macaroons; we all, oh so easily gravitate towards the Laduree as we know their quality is second to none, but I think we owe it to ourselves to explore the good, the bad and the just plain weird tasting macaroons that Paris has to offer.

Round the corner from my apartment, there was a great little Bakery, that sold the most beautiful macaroons at a fraction of their usual price. Also their kitchen was slightly open so you could see them make everything.

Located on the corner of 142 Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière and Rue de Dunkerque, the bakery seemed to be family run and I don’t think it even had a name. The outside signs merely listed some of the items that the bakery offers.

I hope you can find it, as they were some of the best Macaroons I’ve ever had!

So there you have it, places you should visit, a bakery you must try out and why fashion week is a pretty great time for you to head to Paris! Though we all know Christmas time is always going to pretty special.

To do as I did and book a Paris apartment, click here to view the collection.