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. Finding this to be a good question that others might be interested in, I went to BHV to investigate. In their hardware department, what I found was a wall of humor! For the parking sign Paul is looking for, the answer is yes and no. Yes, they have no parking signs, but no if you are looking for signs with twinkling, rotating lights.
Enjoy your souvenir shopping. Translations of some of the signs are below the images.
Other ideas around BHV and the Hôtel de Ville
Translation of some signs
| Water Closet – Une personne a la fois… merci | Toilet/Restroom – One person at a time… please! |
| Toilettes Contravention pour occupation intempestive 50 Euros | Toilet – 50 Euros fine for staying in here too long |
| Entrée interdite aux casse-pieds | No entry for annoying people |
| Entrée interdite aux raleurs | No entry for complainers |
| Pipi room Stationnement prolongé interdit | Bathroom – no long-term parking |
| W-C en cas d’urgence gardez votre calme | Toilet – in case of emergency remain calm |
| Attention! Chien méchant maître féroce | Beware ! Mad Dog – Ferocious Master |
| Water Closet une personne à la fois … merci ! | Toilet – One person at a time… thank you! |
| Attention Chat de garde | Beware of Watch Cat |
| Chien Méchant et perspicace | Mean but smart dog |
| La maison ne fait pas crédit (This is an actual sign, but I thought of relatives who are always asking for money) |
Cash only |
| Chien gentil Maitre lunatique | Nice dog but crazy master |
| Chat gentil | Nice cat |
| Chat calin | Cuddly cat |
| Attention chat en psychanalyse | Beware Cat seeing a shrink |
| Attention chien en psychanalyse | Beware Dog seein a shrink |
