Bazaar de l’Hotel de Ville, BHV, in the Marais area of Paris is a shopping mecca. Not for fashion, that’s for sure, but for the more practical needs BHV (pronounced bay hash vay) has it all. My favourite departments are the art supplies and the home wares floors. They have well priced merchandise that is often sold at cheaper prices than in the smaller boutiques. If it is glamour and glitz you are after then don’t bother because BHV is neither; if you have time to spare and the energy to cope with a large store like this then it is worth taking a look.
BHV
Le Bon Marche Rive Gauche, on the other hand, is all about luxury shopping. This left bank emporium opened in 1848 is another ‘die and go to heaven’ experience. Where the macaron breaks the diet this place blows the budget. Indulgence here is a dangerous game. Le Bon Marche is home to the most beautiful designer fashion for men and women, perfume and make-up lotions and potions, hats, hosiery, lingerie, hair-care and home wares. Riding the escalators at Le Bon Marche is staring temptation in the face and pushing the limits of restraint. If the urge to shop becomes too overwhelming La Grande Epicerie, the foodie sister, is next door and full of edible treats to help calm and ease you through the deliberations.
Good luck resisting anything in Paris, xv.
This place looks awesome!!
Oh Vicki … the temptations that await you in Paris!
Have a wonderful valentines weekend.
xx
mmm tempted to dust off my passport and have credit card at the ready…it might just be the music in the background and my glass of red but if I could, would be there tomorrow :)
The glitzy stores sound the ideal place for impulse shopping. Thanks for the tip on where to get housewares. I knew there had to be somewhere.
Happy Valentine's Day.
Sam
Loving all your 'thinking of Paris' posts Vicki – more great stuff to add to my 'to do' list and address book! I do sometimes find department stores a tad overwhelming (what an admission coming from such a committed shopper!) especially when it's unfamiliar territory but I shall be brave when we eventually make it to Paris! Happy weekend, Susie x
have to agree with all of the above!
Love Bon Marche, still have the bags to prove it :)
julesx
Sigh
We stayed quite near the BHV on our last Paris visit, and found it to be a godsend. When our adpater gave out the first day…BHV had one. When mon mari discovered that he'd forgotten to pack a black belt…BHV.
Le Bon Marche is such a treat, especially the gourmet food section across the way.
V
I've been to Bon Marche and it is beautiful but I came away empty handed. Of course my delightful glass of wine and salad were delightful!
BHV, oh well that is just plain FUN. My friend and I spent a lot of time in the art/stationery dept. It's wonderful.
And may I mention that the Monoprix has some terrific children's clothes at VERY reasonable prices. We stock up for the grandchildren whenever we go. When my luggage was "misplaced" at CDG last summer, the soldes at the Monoprix save my life!
Paris has something for everyone. Sigh
V
Oh, you're killing me. It's been six years since my last visit and having just had baby number three I imagine in could be another six..
Sigh.
These are all my favorite places too.
That escalator … .
so perfectly Andree !
Jjj
Ooh, the art supplies!!
This post is a torture…I want to be there! Have a great one Vicki! : )
Dreaming of Paris … have a lovely weekend Ms. Vicki!
Vicki–have a wonderful week-end. Thanks for the Paris posts. xo
Thanks for all of the shopping tips, Vicki.
It's really good when a 'local' tells us about the non touristy shops. I will make a note of them for next time I visit Paris. XXXX
We really enjoyed Lafayette but have not seen BHV or Bon Marche, another great reason to return :-) Happy weekend, Kathy.
My favourite shopping haunts in Paris are in the Marais district. The boutiques are unique and full of treasures.
I remember my first visit to DJ's in Sydney Vicki. They had a little salon near the Elizabeth St. entrance where the Eastern suburbs ladies would wait with all their purchases for their chauffeur to arrive to drive them home in the Roller. Ahh those were the days! I do love a good Dept. store. I remember once spending 7 hours in a Saks – the endorphins sent me on a natural high that's yet to be repeated!
Millie ^_^
I love the sound of BHV's art supplies. I'll go to Paris knowing resistance is futile.
Always enjoy your take and sharing of France.
Fantastic image! Evokes M.C. Escher's "Relativity" drawing: A little twist and turn, and there … well, would be interesting to know where he found the original stairs! ;-)
Happy Valentine's Day!
I used to go to Le Bon Marche all the time, and sometimes to BHV for home hardware types of things.
I ADORE BHV. Oh, good googly-moogly, the housewares in that place!!! The lamps & mirrors & cabinet knobs! The hardware in the basement!! Like Deja, I bought an adapter there — it was a multi-country marvel that solved all my problems.
We had a fabulous time shopping at Galleries Lafayette. I bought 5 new pairs of boots. I was not thinking at the time of how i would get them all home under 25kg. Oh well, I made it! Hayley x
I thought that I've been to BHV, but I don't remember the escalators. Fabulous!
WONDERFUL BLOG!!!!!!!
é…. UN INCANTO!!!!
KISSES!!!!! :)
DANIELA from MILANO ITALY
"DREAM SHABBY CHIC"