LE BHV MARAIS, Traditional Department Store in Paris

Introduction

BHV Facade — photo by www.conexaoparis.com.br

LE BHV MARAIS is one of the most traditional department stores in Paris, the second oldest, the least touristy, and also the simplest of all. It would be almost like the more understated cousin of the other three big stores: Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, and Bon Marché.

But BHV has some advantages. BHV is useful, I would even say essential, and is part of the daily life of Parisians. Its strong point is home goods.

The famous basement, covering 46,000 square feet, is entirely dedicated to DIY supplies, where Parisians know they will find what they need. Everything is there. For tourists, this is where you should go, for example, to buy plug adapters (they have them in all models, all countries, all sizes).

Basement

On the fourth floor, this is where Parisians come to buy materials for home decoration. A sort of DIY mecca for home (Do It Yourself, a trend that exploded with the internet and the thousands of blogs teaching how to make everything). Fabrics, wallpapers, knobs, frames, lights, curtains, baskets, boxes, shelves, etc. All types available. There are also DIY classes in the store.

Decoration

On the third floor, a new space with kitchen items. And kitchen items are something worth buying in Paris.

Kitchen

On the other floors, stationery, fashion, bed and bath, luggage (by the way, BHV is where I have been buying my luggage for years), etc.

Despite being less glamorous than the other three grands magasins, BHV offers a genuinely Parisian experience. And because it is not touristy, you can do tax refunds without lines.

We have spoken about BHV here on the blog back in 2009 (click here). But it has gradually been trying to renew itself and ride the hype of the Marais, the neighborhood where the store is located. In 2013, BHV (which stands for Bazar de l'Hotel de Ville) became known as LE BHV MARAIS. I found the name change a bit forced and was uncomfortable with it. But I think they are gradually managing to transition from just an old and outdated store to a traditional store that is also young and trendy. Just like the Marais itself.

Note: all photos were taken from the BHV website.

LE BHV MARAIS: 52 rue de Rivoli, 75004. Open Monday to Saturday from 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM. Metro lines 1 and 11, Hôtel de Ville station.

Discounts and Gifts for Conexão Paris Readers

GALERIES LAFAYETTE: Gifts on purchases over €50 made at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, click here for more information and to download the vouchers.
PERFUMERY FRAGRANCE DE L'OPÉRA: €10 discount for every €150 spent at the Perfumery Fragrance de l'Opéra - click here for all the information and to download the voucher.
PHARMACY CARRÉ OPÉRA: 10% discount on purchases made at the Carré Opéra Pharmacy - click here for all the information and to download the voucher.
HOTEL SAINT ANDRES DES ARTS (charming 4-star in Saint Germain): 10% discount + 1 bottle of wine + breakfast - use code paris-story.com when booking on the hotel website, click here to access.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: 5% discount on your Travel Insurance when using code paris-story.com. Travel insurance is one of the documents that may be required for your entry into Europe, click here for more information.
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