• 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.…

  • 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?

  • Lulu dans ma rue homepage for help at home Saint-Paul, Villiers and Commerces areas
    Let's Explore,  Life in Paris & France,  Neighborhoods

    Use Lulu Dans Ma Rue When You Need Help

    From our balconettes (Parisian wrought iron window fences), we are enjoying our carrots - getting fatter every day, fresh cherry tomatoes, and wild strawberries; the plants are blooming. BUT who will water them while we are on vacation? Lulu Anna. The city of Paris (Mairie de Paris) has a service called Lulu dans ma rue (Lulu on my street). Need a helping hand taking things to the cellar (cave)? Ironing? Water your plants?

  • 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.

  • 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) ...

  • Printemps Christmas Store
    Guided Walks,  Let's Explore,  Practical Info,  Shopping/FleaMarkets/Organic

    Inside Look at Paris Department Stores Tips and Visits

    10% off all of the timeReceiving a 10% discount card at three of Paris’  department stores (grands magasins) is easy. Ask at the store about this discount. This discount is immediate and different from the value added tax refund. Only two limitations are attached: 1) the date on the card and 2) the red dot (point rouge). Visit the store’s customer service desk (information or accueil). This discount is separate from your duty free discount that you validate at the airport. Guided Tour Behind the Scenes at Printemps Haussmann Guided Heritage Tours – Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann The cards for Printemps and Galeries Lafayette are valid for one year (January to December). Le Bon…

  • Paris Christmas Ferris Wheel
    Archive

    Paris Christmas Events

    The following list will help you enjoy Christmas events in and around Paris beginning in November: Concorde, Tuileries Ferris Wheel Place de la Concorde Ice Skating: Parvis de l’Hôtel de Ville (plaza in front of city hall) Christmas windows Nativity Scenes Saint-Vincent de Paul church – close to the gare du Nord 5, rue de Belzunce 75010 PARIS December 18, 2010 to January 6, 2011 Eglise Saint-Georges-de-la-Villette 112, avenue Simon-Bolivar 75019 Paris Metro: Bolivar Basilique du Sacré-Coeur, Montmartre December 2010 Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, Paris Christmas crèche at the Notre-Dame de Lorette church Eglise Notre-Dame de Lorette 18bis, rue de Châteaudun 75009 PARIS Metro: Notre-Dame de Lorette Notre-Dame du Perpétuel…