• Detail of no parking handicap and other signs BHV Quincaillerie Hardware department colleensparis.com
    Let's Explore,  Life in Paris & France

    Humorous wall and door signs at BHV

    Are you looking for that very Made in France gift or souvenir with a touch of humor? Have you thought about a French door sign? Yes or no, visit a quincaillerie (hardware store) or BHV (Bazar de l’Hôtel de Ville). The department store, BHV has a hardware department with many humorous wall and door sign choices such as house numbers, door signs, occupation, WhatsApp neighbourhood watch, etc. I have known about these signs for a long time, but it was a question that spurred me to share this information. Paul, a Colleen’s Paris readers, asked recently if BHV, was still selling the blue and red Jour/Nuit (day/night) no parking signs.…

  • BHV/Marais in a map of the Marais designated a tourist shopping zone. With the Loi Macron, it is the only department store with permission to remain open on all Sundays throughout the year
    Life in Paris & France,  Practical Info

    BHV and Other July Changes in Paris

    Every July 1, new legislation and modification to daily routines take effect. This year, the changes include plastic bags, polluting vehicles, contraception, Sunday shopping hours …. These are some of the main changes for 2016 gleaned from Direct Matin . Beginning July 3, BHV/Marais (part of the Galeries Lafayette group) is the first Paris department to open on Sundays as a result of the Loi Macron (Minister of the Economy, Emmanuel Macron) ...

  • Bugatti type 35 Jean Luc Decluzeau Salon du Chocolat 2022 colleensparis
    Events and Trade Shows,  Food, Drink & Health,  Going Out,  Life in Paris & France

    The Salon du Chocolat 2022 Offered Fashion and a Chocolate Bugatti

    What do you do with 400 kilos (881 pounds) of chocolate? You build a Bugatti Grand Prix type 35, of course! The Bugatti was one of the numerous creative chocolate sculptures at the Salon du Chocolat’s 27th edition in Paris at Porte de Versailles.  The event is always scheduled for the last weekend in October. When I arrived, I headed past the chocolate sculptures, the chocolate tastings, the bean-to-bar stands and straight to the fashion parade of fifteen chocolate-covered dresses and costumes. The announcer was loud and clear, so the event had begun. With two afternoon start times, I would still see everything.  At the world’s largest event dedicated to cocoa, I…

  • Image Post Card Croissant French flag card Made in France Colleen's Paris
    Let's Explore,  Specialty shops

    Quirky Paris Souvenir Ideas – Made in France

    While wandering around BHV/Marais I noticed bits and pieces of hardware, wall paper and cleaning products made in France. Across the street at City Hall's Paris Rendez-Vous boutique concept shop I found unusual souvenirs made in France. A while ago, I found Bring France Home near Place des Vosges that only sells souvenirs made in France. Are you looking for quirky Paris souvenir ideas and inexpensive?

  • Magazine Vivre Paris Kids special edition
    Children and Teens,  Let's Explore

    Paris Summer Activities with Children

    With all the activities available for kids and teenagers in Paris this summer, I don't know if the parents are going to have time for a romantic Paris dinner at the newly opened Ritz ... Well, yes, you can with a babysitter service. What follows is a list of suggestions for finding some activities this summer. It would take a book or at least a magazine to list everything.

  • Wedding couple on Pont Alexandre III bridge being photographed at sunset with the Eiffel Tower in the background, girl holding veil, Paris

    Paris To-Do Checklist

    What would you add to the list of things people want to see and do in Paris? Let me know and I will share it with readers! E. Dehillerin Kitchen shop -18 and 20, rue Coquillière – 51, rue Jean- Jacques Rousseau – 75001 PARIS; Phone: +33 1 42 36 53 13 Open Monday 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 to 6 p.m. ; Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sunday and holidays Deyrolle  Curiosity Shop – 46 rue du Bac 75007 Paris Tel : + 33 (0) 1 42 22 30 07 Métro : Rue du Bac Bus : 84, 63, 69, 68, 94…

  • Ice skating until beginning of March at Hotel de Ville plaza, Notre Dame in the background
    Let's Explore,  Life in Paris & France

    Living in Paris on a January Saturday Morning

    Ever wonder what Parisians do on the first Saturday of the Paris sales? Go shopping. On this particular morning around 10:30, it was sunny, crisp and comfortable for our walk from the right to the left bank over the Seine. Ahead of the shopping crowd, we found our replacement Grohe shower hose with the surprise 20% sale price at BHV. It was a surprise….

  • Printemps Christmas Window Prada Child looking at window and the bears
    Christmas,  Going Out

    Paris Christmas Activities for 2013-2014

    Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, Bon Marché and BHV/Marais are open Sundays December 8, 15 and 22. If you want to give a Lego architecture gift, I found this on Bon Marché Lego Architecture: Eiffel Tower, Tower of Pisa, United Nations, Tower Bridge, Villa Savoye à Poissy (Le Corbusier) or the Imperial Hotel (Tokyo, Frank Lloyd-Wright).

  • Nuit Blanche Marais people holding up their phones and cameras to photograph

    Calendar Of Annual Events

    These events occur around the same time every year and rarely change venues For the most up-to-date information, dates and times, click on the links provided or Google the key words since website addresses seem to change from year to year. For the more up-to-date information, check out the Paris Tourist Office‘s website as well for trade show information. Trade shows and fairs take place at various locations. The largest events Check their individual pages for calendars. Viparis, Carrousel du Louvre, Porte de Versailles , etc.) Every Wednesday, l’Officiel des Spectacles is  published and can be purchased at any Paris newsstand for more current events. Free invitations for events For some trade fairs (salons) you can receive…