Fodor's Expert Review BHV

Short for Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville, Le BHV Marais houses an enormous basement hardware store that sells everything from doorknobs to cement mixers and has to be seen to be believed. The fashion offerings for men, women, and kids feature many of the top labels, and there's a fabulous, not-too-crowded lingerie department on the fifth floor. But BHV is most noted for its high quality home-decor items, electronics, stationery, and office supplies. If you're looking for typically French housewares (like those heavy, gold-rimmed café sets, gorgeous linens, or Savon de Marseille), this is the place. The extensive men's store is across the street at 36 rue de la Verrerie. Perched on the top level is Le Perchoir, a cozy rooftop cocktail bar overlooking the city skyline.