BHV Marais - New Hotel in Paris, France

A Historic Parisian Landmark at the Heart of the Marais

Since opening in 1856 on Rue de Rivoli, the Bazar de l’Hôtel de Ville has occupied a singular place within Parisian life. More than a department store, BHV became an institution woven into the daily rhythm of the capital, beloved for its eclectic spirit, its iconic bricolage basement, and its uniquely democratic approach to retail. Positioned directly opposite the Hôtel de Ville and surrounded by the creative energy of the Marais, the address sits within one of Paris’ most vibrant neighborhoods, where historic architecture, independent galleries, cafés, and fashion boutiques shape a distinctly Parisian atmosphere. Over generations, BHV evolved alongside the city itself, becoming both a commercial landmark and a social destination deeply rooted in the identity of central Paris.

A Radical Transformation Already Underway

From May through September 2026, BHV officially enters a new phase of transformation while remaining fully open to the public throughout the redevelopment process. Rather than disappearing, the department store is progressively reshaping itself around a more focused and contemporary vision. The commercial surface will eventually be reduced to approximately 40 percent of the building’s total 45,000 square meters, allowing the remaining spaces to be entirely reimagined through a mixed use concept combining flagship retail, hospitality, lifestyle experiences, and social destinations. Each floor is currently being reorganized in stages to allow renovation works while maintaining the store’s activity and preserving its role within everyday Parisian life. The ambition extends far beyond a simple renovation, proposing instead a complete reinvention of what a department store can represent within a modern city.

A New Retail Experience Inspired by the Original Spirit of BHV

Beginning in Autumn 2026, visitors will discover a completely redesigned customer journey conceived to feel more fluid, intuitive, and emotionally engaging. The future BHV aims to reconnect with the original “bazar” philosophy that historically defined the store, encouraging discovery, spontaneity, and movement between categories rather than rigid traditional retail structures. The beloved food hall, beauty departments, second hand spaces, and lifestyle categories will remain central pillars of the concept while new formats and curated experiences gradually emerge throughout the building. The future introduction of a proprietary BHV fashion label further reinforces the ambition to transform BHV into a fully fledged lifestyle brand rather than a conventional department store.

A Future Luxury Hotel by Experimental Group

One of the project’s most significant evolutions will unfold above the rooftops of the Marais, where the top two floors — the 6th and 7th floors — are expected to become a luxury hotel operated by Experimental Group, offering sweeping views over Paris. While final approvals from the City of Paris are still pending, the arrival of the Parisian hospitality group already signals a major shift in the identity of BHV. Known for addresses such as Experimental Marais, Grand Pigalle Experimental, and Grands Boulevards Experimental, the group has built a reputation for creating hotels that combine understated luxury, strong design identities, lively social atmospheres, and a distinctly contemporary interpretation of Parisian hospitality. Rather than a formal palace environment, the future BHV hotel is envisioned as a vibrant urban retreat deeply connected to the creative energy of the Marais, balancing chic sophistication with the relaxed and social spirit that defines Experimental Group’s universe. Suspended above Rue de Rivoli, the project could quickly become one of the most anticipated hospitality openings in Paris.

Retail, Hospitality and Lifestyle Under One Roof

The transformation of BHV reflects a much broader evolution currently reshaping central Paris, where iconic commercial institutions are increasingly becoming hybrid lifestyle ecosystems. The future project combines flagship stores, city retail concepts, gastronomy, hospitality, and experiential spaces within a single destination designed around interaction, atmosphere, and cultural relevance rather than transactional shopping alone. By 2030, BHV’s ambition is to establish itself as a “grand magasin du quotidien” fully adapted to contemporary urban life, a place where people come not only to shop, but also to meet, dine, stay, discover, and experience the city differently.

A New Chapter for One of Paris’ Most Iconic Addresses

The reinvention of BHV Marais marks the beginning of a new era for one of Paris’ oldest and most emblematic retail institutions. Balancing heritage and innovation, the project aims to preserve the emotional attachment generations of Parisians have built with BHV while opening the building toward a more hybrid future where hospitality, retail, culture, and lifestyle coexist seamlessly. With Experimental Group set to crown the project through the creation of a luxury hotel above the Marais rooftops, BHV appears poised to become one of Paris’ most compelling new urban destinations of the next decade.

We love BHV Marais for:

– Historic Parisian department store founded in 1856 entering a major transformation phase
– €200 million redevelopment redefining BHV as a hybrid lifestyle destination
– Store remaining fully open throughout renovations beginning in 2026
– Future luxury hotel project operated by Experimental Group on the top two floors
– New retail concept blending fashion, gastronomy, hospitality, and cultural experiences
– Prime location facing Hôtel de Ville in the heart of the Marais district