Parisian department store BHV Marais to celebrate 160th anniversary

The year 1856 is long past, yet the Grand Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville, the Parisian department store known since 2013 as BHV Marais, will be making the best of its heritage to celebrate its 160th anniversary. The celebrations will begin on 30th June, with an in-store exhibition dedicated to the BHV Marais history.

The exhibition will introduce in a playful, interactive way the dynasty founded by François Xavier Ruel, owner of the department store until it was acquired in 1990 by the Galeries Lafayette group.

It will go hand in hand with a book tracing the BHV Marais story, published by French publisher Assouline and written by Florence Brachet and Maud Allera.

As a counterpoint to the exhibition, the walls of the BHV Marais building, opposite the rue de Rivoli and overlooking the Paris town hall, will showcase from 7th September to 10th October a series of archive photographs depicting the department store's business history.

September will be the busiest month for the celebrations. The BHV Marais will take part for the first time in the European Heritage Days, and will hold a party for Parisians on 13th September, when the store will introduce a series of special products within its departments. The products will bear the BHV Marais 160th anniversary logo in orange and black, alongside those of several fashion and home decoration brands.

In 2013 the BHV Marais had a make-over and it is now playing the heritage card at the right moment. After the recent renovation work, the 160 year-old department store looks rather flatteringly young. It has gone full circle in overhauling its image, from the interiors to its corporate identity to its name.

Parisian department store BHV Marais to celebrate 160th anniversary

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