New Roger & Gallet Flagship Store Opening

The French brand Roger & Gallet needs no introductions:
 Acquired by the group L'Oréal in 2008, Roger & Gallet is no stranger to stand-alone shops. Their historical boutique, from 1932 to 1984, stood at Faubourg Saint-Honoré (the famous neighbourhood where Hermes also resides to this day). Since then the products have been distributed in pharmacies and the circuit parapharmacie. The new boutique therefore opens a new chapter in the brand's path.

The new Roger & Gallet flagship store is opening on 195 rue Saint-Honoré, taking its place on any decent Paris perfume & beauty shopping guide, this Thursday June 14th. The design has been conceived by Bénédicte de Lescure who has worked on the packaging and illustration of Caudalie and the mise-en-scene for Cartier et Atelier Renault.

Bons achats!

Paris Perfume Shopping Addresses: Quick Index

In the interests of supplementing the Paris Shopping Guide on these pages (replete with Parisian memoirs on shopping & browsing at the mecca of perfumery, including visits at Guerlain, Caron, F.Malle, Serge Lutens, L'Artisan Parfumeur etc.) I am including a few specific addresses with underground directions for anyone going to Paris for a St.Valentine's vacation or just for reference, in alphabetical order.

Abdul samad Al Quarashi, 45 Avenue George V. 75008 Annick Goutal, 14 rue de Castiglione, 1st. Metro: Tuileries.
Arabian Oud, 63 Champs Elysees (perhaps the only place in Europe outside of London where one can find good arabian oils)
By Terry 10 Avenue Victor Hugo Metro Station: Charles de Gaulle L'etoile, and at 36, Passage Vero Dodat. Metro Station: Palais Royal - Musee du Louvre. [Except By Terry' products, the store also stocks Patyka]
Caron, 90 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, 1st. (in front of the Presidential Palace) Metro: Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Chanel 31 Rue Cambon, Tuilleries, Madeleine. According to Chanel's website, Les Exclusifs fragrances are also sold at 42 Avenue Montaigne and at 9, Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honore
Cire Trudon candles 78, rue de Seine - 75006 Metro: Mabillon
Colette, 213 rue Saint-Honore, 1st. Metro: Tuileries. [eclectic niche selection]
Comme des Garcons23 Place du Marche Saint-Honore. Metro Station: Pyramides
Cote Bastide, 4, Rue de Poissy Metro Station: Maubert Mutualite
Detaille 10, Rue St Lazare. Metro Station: Notre-Dame de Lorette
Des Filles a la Vanille, 150 Boulevard Saint-Germain. Metro Station: Mabilon
Dior, 30 Avenue Montaigne. Metro Station: Franklin D. Roosevelt
Diptyque, 34, boulevard saint germain, or 49 Avenue Victor Hugo
The Different Company, 10 rue Ferdinand Duval, 4th. Metro: Saint-Paul.
Etat Libre d'Orange, 69 rue des Archives, 4th. Metro: Rambuteau.
Etro, 66 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore. Metro Station: Champs Elysees Clemenceau, Madeleine.
Frederic Malle, Editions de Parfums, 37 rue de Grenelle, 7th. Metro: Rue du Bac.
Fragonard, 51, Rue Francs Bourgeois. Metro Station: Rambuteau, Saint Paul
Fragonard Museum & Shop 39, Boulevard des Capucines (opposite L'Olympia). Metro Station: Opera, Madeleine
Guerlain, 68 avenue des Champs-Elysees, 8th. Metro: Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Hermès24, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore. Metro Station: Madeleine. Also at 42, Avenue George V. Metro Station: George V and at 17 Rue de Sèvres. Metro Station: Sevres Babylone
Indult102 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore. Metro Station: Saint-Philippe du Roule
IUNX at Hotel Costes [Olivia Giacobetti fragrances], 239 rue Saint-Honore, 1st. Metro: Tuileries.
JAR, 24 rue de Castiglione, 1st. Metro: Tuileries.
JEAN PATOU PARIS, 5, rue de Castiglione 75001 (very close to the chanel boutique at place Vendôme)
Jovoy, 29 rue Danielle Casanova, 1st. Metro: Pyramides/Opera.
Jo Malone, 326 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001
L'Artisan Parfumeur 32, rue du Bourg Tibourg and 34 Rue Francs
Les Bains de Marais, 33 Clos des Blancs-Manteaux. Metro Station: Rambuteau
Les Beaux Draps de Jeannine Cros, carrying Les Nez fragrances, 11, rue d'Assas 75006 Paris. Tue. - Sat.11.00 AM - 13.30 PM 14.30 PM - 19.00 PM Closed on Monday
Le Prince Jardinier, 39, Rue de Valois (Palais Royal). Metro Station: Palais Royal - Musee du Louvre, Bourse
Les Parfums de Rosine,105, Galerie de Valois, Palais Royal (close to Serge Lutens at Le Palais Royal). Metro Station: Palais Royal - Musee du Louvre, Bourse
Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier, 5 rue des Capucines, 1st. Metro: Opera.
Les Nereides, 5, Rue Bourg l'Abbe. Metro Station: Etienne Marcel.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian, 5 rue d'Alger, 1st. Metro: Tuileries. Custom-made scents by appointment, phone +33 142 774 033.
Martin Margiela, 23 Rue de Montpensier Metro Station: Palais Royal - Musee du Louvre
Mariage Freres, teas and delicatessen, 30 rue du Bourg-Tibourg, Paris 4e
Marie Antoinette, Place du marché Sainte Catherine -75004
Miller et Bertaux, 15, Rue Ferdinand Duval. Metro Station: Saint-Paul, Pont-Marie
Montale Tanelli 26 place Vendome
Olivier Durbano, 34 Rue des Francs Bourgeois Metro Station: Saint Paul . Workspace; by appointment only.
L'Osmothèque, 36, rue du Parc de Clagny. Note: Reservation required.
Parfums de Nicolai (Patricia de Nicolai), 28 rue de Richelieu, 1st. Metro: Palais Royal and 69 rue Poincare (m.Victor Hugo)
Parfums de Rosine, Jardin du Palais Royal, 105 Galerie de Valois, Metro: Palais Royal.
Reminiscence, 22, Rue du Four. Metro Station: Saint-Germain-des-Pres, Mabillon
Salons du Palais-Royal Shiseido [Serge Lutens fragrances], 142 Galerie de Valois, 1st. Metro: Palais Royal.
Sens Unique [niche selection], Rue du Roi de Sicile 13, 75004 which carries a selection of Amouage | by Kilian | David Jourquin | Etat Libre d'Orange | Evody | Hilde Soliani | Honoré des Prés | Huitième Art | Humiecki & Graef | ICONOfly | Laboratorio Olfativo | Maison Francis Kurkdjian | MDCI | Odin | Olfactive Studio | Parfumerie Generale | Poiray | Stéphanie de Saint Aignan | Technique Indiscrète | Undergreen Natural Perfume | Von Eusersdorff
Teo Cabanel, 23, Boulevard du General Leclerc /23, Boulevard du General Leclerc, Fontainebleau
Tocca, 44 Rue Etienne Marcel. Metro Station: Sentier

A selection of niche perfumes (including Lubin) are also found at Le Bon Marche (24 rue de Sevres, 7th. Metro: Sevres-Babylone) and on the ground floor of Printemps de la Beaute (64 Boulevard Haussmann, 9th. Metro: Chaussee d'Antin). Sephora on the Champs-Élysées (next to the Guerlain flagship store) carries a quite wide variety of niche offerings (Lutens, Different Company, etc.)


Worthy of note as well:
Arty Dandy, 1 Rue de Furstemberg. Metro Station: St-Germain-des-Pres or Mabillon. Brands: Histoires de Parfums, Juliette has a Gun, Linari, Six Scents, The Scent of Departure
Belle de Jour, 7, Rue Tardieu. The store specialized in old perfume bottles and Art Deco objects. (Sells E.Coudray and Jardin de France).
BHV, Acqua di Parma, Annick Goutal, Atelier Cologne, E.Coudray, Evody, Esteban, Etat Libre d'Orange, L'Artisan, Molton Brown, Molinard, Serge Lutens, Teo Cabanel etc.
Nose, 20 Rue Bachaumont. Metro: Sentier. Carries: Acqua Di Parma, Atelier Cologne, By Kilian, biehl. parfumkunstwerke, Cale Fragranze d'Autore, Costume National, Cowshed, Cire Trudon, Diptyque, D.R.Harris, Floris, Frapin, Heeley, Histoires de Parfums, Juliette has a Gun, Keiko Mecheri, Lorenzo Villoresi, L’Artisan Parfumeur, Linari, Mark Buxton, Miller Harris, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Odin, Penhaligon's, Robert Piguet, The Different Company, The Laundress, Ulrich Lang.
Pharmacie du Palais des Congres, 2 Place de la Porte Maillot. Metro Station: Porte Maillot. Brands: Acqua di Parma*, Comptoir Sud Pacifique, Menard, Molinard, ROGER & GALLET, Rigaud

Add your own if you have them in the comments, so I can keep this up to date!

source,, photo via hipparis.com

New perfume addresses in Paris: shopping info

In the middle of an economic recession that affects fashion as well as the fragrance sector, new stores are still opening. For Parisian shoppers and those travelling to the city to savour perfumes and other pleasures, two new worthy of note addresses:

Different Latitudes, a company founded in 2005 by David Froissard and Loïc Le Guen as an International Luxury Trader that specializes in distribution of luxe brands, image counselling and marketing, is coming to the Parisian market with a dynamic move. They're bringing some of their portfolio in Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, a shop-in-shop stand including niche brand Neotantric, Frapin, Amouage and Robert Piguet.
Piguet is amply represented by Fracas and Baghari pour femme, Bandit and Visa pour femme, Cravache pour homme and the newly re-issued Futur, a formula closely following the instructions of Rober Piguet himself in the 1960s: the US-owned Fashion Fragrances company had the rights for a decade and the re-issue was finally orchestrated by Aurélien Guichard of Givaudan. Futur by Piguet is a blend of hesperides, violet, jasmine, yalng ylang, cedar and patchouli for a fresh and floral touch.
Amouage, much loved on these pages, is enjoyed in 30 countries with fragrances created by la creme de la creme of perfumers: Guy Robert, Jean-Claude Ellena, Bertrand Duchaufour, Maurice Roucel et Lucas Sieuzac. The result in scents such as Jubilation 25, Gold, Dia, Lyric, Ubar and Epic is nothing short of majestic.

Guerlain on the other hand is opening a new stand-alone boutique in le Marais designed by Patricia Grosdemange at 10 rue des Francs-Bourgeois. The new store is paying homage to several emblematic fragrances and products of the historical house in 110 square meters full of the best craftmanship.
Guerlain has always paid attention to their stores and the history of the Guerlain house boutique addresses is interesting: The first one was opened at 42, rue de Rivoli in 1828, conceived by the fertile imagination of Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain. In 1830 a new building is chosen for Guerlain perfumes and cosmetics in 15, rue de la Paix. Jacques et Pierre Guerlain establish themselves at the helm of the house in 1914, and with the help of architect Charles Mews they build the legendary boutique at 68, avenue des Champs Elysées. The space will host the institut Guerlain in 1939 and will be panegerically renovated in 2005 with the innovative skills of interior designers Andrée Putman and Maxime d’Angeac. Places to make one dream...

Maison Francis Kurkdjian: new line & shopping address in Paris

Francis Kurkdjan is no doubt one of the young protagonists of the perfume universe around us with huge best-sellers of mainstream perfumery (Gaultier Le Male, Narciso Rodriguez for Her), more exclusively-distributed fragrances (the boutique Guerlain Rose Barbare, the Dior exclusives Cologne trio, Indult) as well as commisioned scents and his own private label since 2001. Now it seems he has finally found the funds, encouragement and business consulting which allowed him to expand into a self-named brick & mortar boutique in Paris, bearing the name Maison Francis Kurkdjan.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian is located at 5 rue d’Alger (Paris 1er arrondisement) ~very close to Galerie Nast~ and is a building of glass, steel and wood designed by Yann le Coadic and Alessandro Scotto bearing the signature of its mastermind nevertheless. Francis imagined his own boutique as a project reflecting "the art of life, the way to share the things he feels". Inspired by the covered galleries of older Paris it fuses elements of the artisanal boutique of old.
The Kurkdjian perfumery house not only caters to the bespoke service which Francis has been involved in for some time now, through his own site, but also offers new products: in Cologne (Cologne du Jour, Cologne du Soir), eaux de toilette, parfum, parfums d’intérieur (home fragrance) and scented candles, accompanied by Papier Encens (incense paper), scented leather bracelets and a matching laundry detergent (Aqua Universalis, the piece de resistance!), deodorant and soaps in the exact same scent ~from top to toe you'll be "universally eau-ed". A "lifestyle" approach which comes as a surprise!


Navigate in Paris 1er via Google Maps on this link.


Read more on 1000fragrances

Les Nez in Paris

LesNez, an independent niche line based in Switzerland whose scents we have lovingly reviewed and talked about on this link, has finally arrived in Paris. "We are very grateful to Madame Cros, who has agreed to carry the perfumes together with her fabulous collection of antique bedlinen".


Les Beaux Draps de Jeannine Cros, Paris
11, rue d'Assas 75006 Paris
Tue. - Sat.11.00 AM - 13.30 PM14.30 PM - 19.00 PM
Closed on Monday ~Vacation 2009: August

Merci pour tout! New Boutique Merci in Paris

A new store with a unique concept has opened in Paris, set by Bernard et Marie-France Cohen ~Camille Goutal's aunt (Annick's sister)~ called MERCI. Some Goutal perfumes and scented candles will be sold there, as divulged to me by the good people at Annick Goutal. The concept of Merci is born out of a basic ethical principle, becoming a revolutionary idea within parisian stores, and it has been dreamed of for three years now. Orchestrated by Marie-France Cohen (the creator of the famous kid's brand Bonpoint), the new space of 1500 m2 at the Boulevard Beaumarche proposes a mix of fashion, homeware, books, cosmetics, hardware, haberdashery, vintage articles and even a restaurant. The list goes on...
And all with a good cause, as attested by the name which means of course "thank you": An aid foundation for child protecting organisations, beginning with those focused on Madagascar, one of the poorest countries on earth. Because our life isn't worth but in the desire to give, Merci was born out of that noble idea to become much more than a "concept store". With the enegy and enthusiasm of young and old alike it promises to become a ray of optimism in an ill-ravaged world.

The chances to enjoy Merci and contribute to a good cause are many: There's a café- library of hand-me down books with home-baked bread and marmelades and even a little snack for noon. A flower section offering ideas on how to "dress" your balcony, you garden or your house. The section PAP (Luxe and Creators) for women, men, children and accessoies, which will encompass brands that are doing away with some of their profit margin thus offering their products at -30/40% discounts.
Among them YSL, Stella Mc Cartney, Azzaro, Barbara Bui, Isabel Marant, Forte Forte, Swildens, GAS by Marie, Paul & Joe, Jérôme Dreyfuss , Goyard, Marie-Hélène de Taillac, Noguchi, Aurélie Biderman, Stone, Bonpoint, Bonton, Zef, Oona l’Ourse and their own name brand Merci Merci. Also there will be a section for house decor and textiles at comparable level of quality and price.

And what interests perfume lovers especially: A small Goutal "laboratory" orchestrated by Isabelle Doyen (with fragant juice based on natural essences) sold in simple flacons at -40% discount off their regular prices, thus making away with their own profits.
The address is Merci, 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais 75011, Paris and if you're in Paris it is recommended to check it out!

The design was created by Be-Pôles graphic studio, 6 rue Beaubourg, 75004 Paris — France.

Travel Memoirs: Paris, part 2 ~L'Artisan, Serge Lutens, Frederic Malle

by guest writer Elysium

Since the first pioneering experiments by small artisanal brands like L’Artisan Parfumeur and Diptyque thirty years ago, the phenomenon called niche perfume has really blossomed. The small companies are now big names, their new releases once unnoticed are now highly anticipated. Being in Paris, I could not miss the chance to pay a visit to some of those who brought new ideas into a traditional craft and paved the way for the others.

There are several L’Artisan Parfumeur boutiques in Paris (in the 1er, 4eme, 7eme, 9eme and 16eme arrondissements). The one I visited is located at the banks of the Seine, a stone's throw from the Louvre Museum.
The boutique was minimalistically decorated yet stylish, using exactly the same concept as their perfume creations. Once inside, the first thing that meets the eye was the wall with their Harvest creations. Upon asking the friendly SA, I was told that the perfumers at the L’Artisan Parfumeur were at that time still working hard to find the suitable harvests to make the next one in the series. Moving a few steps towards the inner part of the shop there was a table with temporary decorations, highlighting scents that were especially suited for the season.

The diversity L’Artisan Parfumeur represents makes it easy for everyone to find something; if no perfume this time, then maybe a lovely amber ball for the home? And when you are tired of smelling perfumes, take a seat in the cozy couch and have some rest.

Only one place can match Guerlain’s ability to attract perfumistas to Paris ~the location Palais-Royal is indeed more than suitable for the royalty of niche perfume houses. Since its opening in 1991, Les Salons du Palais Royal Shiseido, or commonly called Serge Lutens, has not lost any of its mystery, largely due to the fact that only press is allowed to take photos inside the salon. Assisted by Google Maps I ended up at the backside of the boutique, but with some help of a written note on the glass window I managed to find the correctly entrance in the end. The first time one enters the Serge Lutens salon one is bound to make a theatrical pause: it is decorated solely in black and violet, with flourished decoration that yet whispers of pure elegance. Indeed, high-contrast is Ariadne’s thread through everything Mr. Lutens has ever touched: his photographs, his paintings, his makeup creations, his perfumes and his salon. Many of the previous limited-edition bell jars can be viewed, and a stair in the middle of the boutique leading to the unknown crowns the entire magical atmosphere. Presprayed test blotters are placed beside the perfume bottles and if you find any perfume particularly interesting you are very welcome to make skin tests. The exclusive range coming in the so called bell jars is of course the highlight of the visit, but be careful not overdosing your nose with these innocent beauties. Unfortunately Serge Lutens does not make any liquid samples of their exclusive range; however the staff readily gives you a set of wax samples to bring home. As for the export range liquid samples are available, but most often they can only be obtained with purchases. I myself took the advice of Luca Turin and “boldly demanded Bois de Violette” and ended up with another pretty bag in my hands.

Comparing to the slightly austere feeling at Serge Lutens, the Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle boutique on 37 Rue Grenelle was much more relaxed. It is minimalistically decorated with a touch of high tech. On the elegant wood paneled walls hang framed photographs of all the perfumers that have contributed to the Frédéric Malle brand. This is a company which puts the brains behind the fragrances into focus, giving the masters the credit they deserve. Therefore the Frédéric Malle line stands for creativity and diversity, ranging from the purest tuberose soliflore (Carnal Flower) to the most complex musk (Musc Ravageur); high quality is the only thing uniting them. You can either freely play with the perfumes by yourself, or you can also step into one of the special designed smelling boots to feel a scent surrounding you. Except for the testers all the perfumes are placed inside refrigerators, to keep them at constant temperature. At the time of my visit I knew a new Frédéric Malle perfume was coming out (Dans tes Bras). Naturally I had to ask the lady working in the boutique about it, only a small test bottle was available for the inquisitive one to sample. Since at the time Dans tes Bras was not officially released, the lady curiously asked me how I knew about it, at which prompt I happily took the chance to avdertise the perfume blogosphere.

Paris would not be Paris without the great variety of choices; the last part of this travel story will be devoted to a few hidden gems among the Parisian perfumeries. That’s all for now...

You can read Part 1 of Paris Memoirs clicking here

Shopping Guide:
L'Artisan Parfumeur: 2 Rue de l'Admiral de Coligny, Paris, Phone: +33 01-4488-2750.
32 Rue du Bourg Tibourg 75004 Paris, Phone : 01.48.04.55.66

Salons du Palais-Royal Shiseido, Serge Lutens: 142 Galerie de Valois-25 Rue de Valois, 1er arrondissement Louvre/Tuileries, Paris. Metro station: Palais-Royal. Car access: 25 Rue de Valois. Phone: +33 01-49-27-09-09 Fax: +33 01-49-27-92-12 (open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 7pm)Map here

Editions des Parfums Frederic Malle: 37 rue de Grenelle, 7e, St-Germain-des-Pres, Paris Phone: +33 01-42-22-76-40 Metro: Rue du Bac
{Other locations: 140 av. Victor Hugo, 16e, Trocadero/Tour Eiffel, Paris, +33 01-45-05-39-02, Metro: Victor Hugo. 21 rue du Mont Thabor, 1er, Louvre/Tuileries, Paris, +33 01-42-22-77-22, Metro: Tuileries}

See a Google map of perfumeries/perfume & beauty shopping in Paris on this link (printable)

Pics copyrighted by Elysium (with the sole exception of the Lutens interiors where photography taking isn't allowed), not to be reproduced without permission.

Travel Memoirs: Paris, part 1 ~Guerlain Boutique & Museum, Caron Boutique, Fragonard Museum

introducing guest writer Elysium

There might be doubts about which perfume is the most beautiful, but there is no dispute about where the Mecca of fine fragrances lies. Paris, La Ville-lumière, is the place where people from all over the world gather to obtain a piece of genuine French chic, let it be an Hermès scarf, a Chanel dress or a bottle of Guerlain perfume. During my latest trip to Paris I had the chance to visit a few Parisian perfumeries, and here are some memories from that delightful trip.

Coming back from Paris, none of my perfume friends asked me if I climbed to the top of the Eiffel Tower nor if I saw La Joconde, all of them asked only one question: “Did you visit Guerlain?” Indeed, in the universe of perfumistas the grand boutique on 68 Avenue Champs-Elysées is something special, as soon as you enter the green ornamented doors you enter a world of elegance and magic. Don’t be fooled by the ordinary assortment you see on the ground floor, it is the second floor that vaults the real jewels and earned the fame of this boutique. Taking the stairs up, one immediately gets welcomed by a room decorated by golden mosaics from ceiling to floor; can it be more glamorous than this? Yes it can, how about a whole wall full of bee bottles in all sizes that can be imagined, or a gigantic chandelier holding the most classic Guerlain perfumes? {click to see the pics in larger format}

Here one finds beauties from the past like Candide Effluve and Sous le Vent standing side by side with the latest offspring like Quand Vient la Pluie and Cruel Gardenia; all these are free to be played with without the risk of being followed by any over-enthusiastic boutique staff member. The staff is very friendly nevertheless, answering all my questions even though I did not purchase anything. The most funny to the verge of being ridiculous experience inside the boutique is smelling inside the “microwave ovens”, containing sample smells of a few real old classics including Kadine and Ode: unfortunately the odors are very faint and not much can be perceived. Except for perfumes there are also one section dedicated for room scents and one for makeup. With the feeling that I have just visited a perfume museum rather than a shop I went out into the sunlight again.




Having quenched some of my thirst inside the Häagen-Dazs on the Champs-Élysées, I walked with steady steps towards Avenue Montaigne. Squeezed between the ultra expensive fashion boutiques I found the place I was looking for, Caron - the boutique with a golden label. This is how one imagines a perfume shop would look like in the eighteenth century, everything touched by one's eyes screams style. Gilded boxes, ornamented glass bottles, fine milled powders and classic smells, you name it; nothing is too elegant or too feminine for the Caron shop! But of course, nothing beats the perfume fountains (urns), containing the most precious drops bearing the label Caron.



While sampling in leisure my eyes set upon a basket filled with the softest swan dune powder puffs in all imaginable colors. As soon as I took one in my hands it was impossible to put it down again; although the price was pure robbery, I walked out happily clutching a Caron bag.



The last classic perfume house I visited in Paris was the Grasse-based Fragonard. The former Napoleon III town house on Rue Scribe holds a combined shop with a tiny museum. The museum was really not more than a three room apartment, but nevertheless my two enthusiastic and friendly guides made the visit very enjoyable. Inside the museum some instruments used in traditional perfumery were displayed. As we were looking at them the guides briefly explained the different extraction techniques like distillation, maceration and enfleurage. The following room housed a collection of perfume bottles and other bathroom accessories from ancient times to today; the highlight was the complete presentation of an antique vanity case, which basically was a moving makeup desk. The last part of the museum was dedicated to raw materials used in perfumery; there were a few samples available for the visitors to play the smell and guess game. A beautiful perfume organ marked the end of the tour, showing the path leading to the Fragonard shop. Everything in the shop is at reduced factory prices; especially the cute sample packs make a great souvenir from Paris!
Here ends my small tour of perfumeries with great history in Paris, coming up next are the inventors of niche fragrances.

Thank you for your reading and stay tuned for Part 2: Serge Lutens, L’Artisan and Frederic Malle

Shopping Guide:
Guerlain SPA & BOUTIQUE 68, Avenue des Champs-Elysées 75008
Paris Tel. 33 1 45 62 1121
Caron 34 avenue Montaigne 8th Arrondissement, Paris 75008 Tel. +33 01 47 23 40 82
Fragonard 9 rue Scribe 75009 PARIS FRANCE Tel. +33 (0)1 47 42 04 56

See a Google map of perfumeries/perfume & beauty shopping in Paris on this link (printable)

All pics copyrighted by Elysium, not to be reproduced without permission.

The Different Company History and News

Following the work of perfumer Jean Claude Ellena, I came upon The Different Company, a small niche brand which was started by him with the sole objective revealed in its name: to be different!
In one of his aphorisms, Jean Claude had professed that classical perfumery although beautiful is too perfumey for today's sensibility, much like reading Stendhal. In his quest not to understand the market though -antithetically to what major brands do, running focus groups tests for their every product- he has always been about making the market instead.

Artistic freedom obviously meant everything and in order to discourage copycats and lowly competition Ellena along with his collaborator Thierry de Baschmkoff, a relative of his and engineer-turned-bottle-designer, opted for the most smart stratagem: make the juice too expensive, too top quality.
The Different Company opened its doors in 2000 with four stunning scents: Osmanthus, a fragrance based on the precious little Chinese flower with its divine apricoty smell, Rose Poivrée which Chandler Burr has famously -and complimentary- attributed to Satan's wife in Hell, Divine Bergamot, sunny brilliance and dirty hints under the sun of Calabria and Bois d'Iris, an extraordinarily expensive in the making woody orris fragrance fit for an exiled princess.

When Jean Claude got his in-house position at Hermès in 2004, the baton was passed to his daughter, Céline Ellena. She went on to compose both rich and decadent juices such as Jasmin de Nuit as well as diaphanous organza veils ~such as the fragrances in the ‘Explorations sensorielles’ (=sensory explorations) line that is essentially a garden trio: parfum d'Ailleurs & Fleurs (of flowers and beyond), parfum de Charmes & Feuilles (of leaves and charm), and parfum des Sens & Bois (of woods and the senses). And last but not least, the incredible Sel de Vétiver, inspired by Céline tasting water aromatized with vetiver roots at an eastern friend's appartment in Paris.
Their latest Sublime Balkiss, inspired by the queen of Sheba and a modern chypre composition no less, has been having the perfume circles talking and anticipating. (notes of violet, blackcurrant, Bulgarian Rose, blueberries, blackberries, clusters of lilac and a special fraction of the essential oil of patchouli, highlighting its cocoa powder aspect)

It seems we have been richly spoiled! And to top it all of, they have opened a new boutique in Paris.

Niche fragrance brand The Different Company has just opened a stunning new boutique in Paris, in the heart of the trendy Marais quarter. For the occasion, they have paired up with make-up brand Maison Calavas, who is sharing the space. Maison Calavas is specialized in top-of-the-line make-up, with a wide range of palettes presented in colorful shagreen, lizard and snake-skin boxes. 10 rue Ferdinand Duval, Paris 4è – (+ 33) (0)1 42 78 19 34

Their own website is still great to navigate through.

Info & pic via Osmoz and The Different Company