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With Paris currently taking sporting centre stage, we thought it would be a fitting opportunity to pay homage to that iconic city, home to some of the greatest perfumes and perfumers of all time. Known by many a different moniker, the City of Light is often referred to as the Capital of Fragrance. Paris, with its unparalleled elegance, has long been the epicentre of luxury and refinement in the world of perfumery.
The rich history of French perfume making dates back to the 17th century when Louis XIV, known as the "Perfume King," popularised the use of fragrances. Paris cemented its standing as the epicentre of fragrance innovation with an explosion of perfume houses during the early 1900s. Described as the Golden Age of Perfumery, this pivotal period embraced new and ever more sensual and daring olfactory creations. Iconic perfumers such as Ernest Daltroff, the Guerlains, François Coty, and Ernest Beaux vied with one another to create a succession of audacious, innovative masterpieces, no longer only available for the aristocratic elite but spawning a new art form, driven by the use of synthetics, accessible to all.
Fast forward past the dark days of the 1940s, and welcome in the second half of the 20th Century when Paris opened its doors again and led the world with its haute couture, female empowerment, and the new concept of a fragrance wardrobe. “Long after one has forgotten what a woman wore, the memory of her perfume lingers,” said Christian Dior, encapsulating the timeless allure of Parisian scents.
With the world rebuilding at pace, Paris reset the rules, shining anew with its sharp and shorter fashions and lighter, brighter fragrances embracing the dream of a better world. Chanel, Dior, and Coty became household names, promising a spritz of Parisienne je ne sais quoi in every bottle.
And what of today? Well, Paris simply continues to wow. Historic Houses such as Creed, Caron, Cherigan, Houbigant, and Maison Violet are back once again in the spotlight, carrying the flag for niche perfumery at its best, whilst their new brilliant co-stars such as Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Frederic Malle, and Marc-Antoine Barrois continue to dazzle with their fresh modern masterpieces.
Join us in celebrating the opulent legacy and contemporary brilliance of Parisian perfumery, where every scent tells a story of history, sophistication and timeless elegance.
Explore some of Paris’ finest fragrance Houses below
The House of Creed
This unique story began in 1760. A pair of scented leather gloves was delivered to King George III by a new London tailoring company. Founded by James Henry Creed in the same year as the young King’s accession, the House of Creed has created fragrances for the discerning for over 260 years.
Today Olivier Creed, “Créateur Parfumeur” and direct descendant of James Henry Creed, continues this great tradition. Based in Paris, Creed manufactures many of its own essences using rare traditional techniques, enabling Creed to maintain the superior quality and authenticity of its fragrances.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Frederic Malle
Launched in 2000, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle revolutionised the global perfume industry with its bold and avant-garde spirit. In the 1990s, the industry saw a shift towards smoother, more consensual creations driven by consumer tests and marketing. Contradicting this trend, Frédéric Malle aimed to restore the splendour of high perfumery: the house was the first to bring perfumers into the spotlight, treating them as authors, with their names prominently displayed on bottles. Given unique freedom, creators at Editions de Parfums fully express their talent using the finest ingredients in unprecedented works designed to move, surprise, and elevate. Each element of the creation is meticulously cared for, with the maximalism of the fragrances balanced by the minimalism of the custom-designed bottles. The packaging, inspired by Gallimard Editions draws on graphic and colour codes, presenting the perfumes as literary masterpieces.
Maison Violet
Since 1827, VIOLET has celebrated individuality and self-expression. Combining innovation with exceptional quality, VIOLET marries the tradition of French perfumery with modern, sustainable practices. In the late 19th century, Violet became the official perfumer to Empress Eugenie and Queen Isabel II of Spain, with the bee symbol, representing the Empress, becoming its trademark. Though the house ceased operations around 1955 due to world wars and economic crises, it was revived in 2017 by three passionate Parisians—Victorien, Paul, and Anthony. Committed to quality, ethics, and environmental responsibility, VIOLET offers unique, high-quality fragrances that inspire change and promote authentic, sustainable elegance.
Marc-Antoine Barrois
Marc-Antoine Barrois, initially devoted to couture influenced by his grandfather, began designing his first collections in Lille in 2004. Spotted by Dominique Sirop, he soon worked with Jean-Paul Gaultier at Hermès, shaping his style characterized by sustainability, exquisite materials, and timeless silhouettes. In 2009, he established his own Couture House, gaining recognition in Parisian fashion. In his early thirties, Barrois discovered a passion for perfumery through Quentin Bisch, sharing a bond over luxury and creative vision. Since 2015, their collaboration has produced unique and timeless fragrances, blending Barrois's imaginative concepts with Bisch's precise execution, aiming to bring exceptional scents into their clients' lives.
Houbigant
Decadent and illustrious, the iconic House of Houbigant, founded in 1775 by Jean-Francois Houbigant on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris, is one of the oldest and most celebrated fragrance houses in the world. Over its 245-year history, Houbigant has revolutionised perfumery with daring compositions like the 1882 Fougere Royale by Paul Parquet, introducing the Fougere family and the first synthetic accord, and the 1912 Quelques Fleurs by Robert Bienaimé, the first multi-floral bouquet. Today, Houbigant sets the gold standard for French Haute Perfumery, blending modernity with its illustrious past through captivating compositions that exemplify timeless elegance, superlative quality, and daring creativity.
Cherigan
CHERIGAN was born during the vibrant 1920s, a time when Paris was the artistic epicentre, brimming with creativity, freedom, and daring olfactory creations. In this era of lively cafes, music halls, and dance venues, CHERIGAN introduced audacious and chic perfumes like Mascarades, Chance, and Fleurs de Tabac. The house quickly became a niche favourite, offering innovative scents that captivated the Montparnasse and Montmartre scenes. Known for breaking conventions with unique bottles and travel formats, CHERIGAN epitomized the modernity and exuberance of the Art Deco years, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of perfumery.
