L’Artisan Parfumeur: 2 rue de l' Amiral de Coligny, 75001 Paris
Although one of the most exclusive and niche perfume houses in Paris, the L'Artisan Parfumeur isn’t one of those places that is steeped in history. Established in 1978 by Jean Laporte, the perfumery is famous for its rather quirky take on unusual perfumes with exotic fragrances ranging from the divine and ultra feminine ‘L'Eau de Jatamansi’ — a sensual perfume of Himalayan Nard (Jatamansi in Sanskrit) — to ‘Fou d’Absinthe’ a lively transgressive fragrance for men.

Besides offering several bespoke scents made by their perfume wizards, the L'Artisan Parfumeur also offers you the chance to be a part of a three-hour perfume workshop at their L'Atelier du Parfum, held in their Grande Boutique for 95 Euros per person. Here you will be presented with a variety of scents and a bit of theory. While uncovering the mysteries of scent, you will be presented with smells evoking nature, suppressed emotions, and as the claim, possibly even your own childhood. After this morning-long “sniffing session” and a tasty gourmet snack, you will get a gift certificate for another session for you to surprise a loved one with.

État Libre d’Orange: 69 rue des Archives, 75003 Paris
The Etat Libre d’Orange perfumery, located in Paris’ Upper Marais, offers patrons a whiff of radically named perfumes like ‘Magnificent Secretions’ and ‘Delicious Closet Queen’ that are unfettered by conventions. This small state of olfactory freedom emphasises the sensuality and fantasy that perfumes must convey. In this Free State, the client is also freed from the bondage of the prevailing market prices, since 50ml of Eau de Parfum only costs 44 Euros.

‘Praise of the Traitor’ and ‘Jasmine/Cigarette’ are the daring and provocative names of some of the unusual and seducing fragrances created by the talented noses like Antione Lie who are truly committed to the Charter of the Etat Libre d’Orange, which is to make perfumes that strike strongly and make a straightforward statement. This unconventional perfumery is a haven, for those who want to rise above the masses to rediscover the raw energy of perfume as an effective tool of seduction.

Le Studio des parfums: 23 rue du Bourg Tibourg, 75004 Paris
Le Studio des parfums is a modest little perfumery that is housed on a quiet street in the Marais. You almost don‘t see it, but the arresting aroma of bergamot, rose and lily of the valley is enough to pull you into this charming perfumery where your olfactory senses will rejoice. Le Studio des parfums is that kind of place where you can treat yourself to the luxury of possessing a personalised scent without burning a hole in your purse.

The guys at Le Studio Des Parfums, take their perfumes very seriously and you will see this the moment you meet your personal ‘sent counselor’, who, after an initiation into the history of scent, will send you off two hours later with a personalised fragrance composed from a mix of among 150 different notes. They will even give the perfume a name. Their prices range from 95 Euros for a 50ml bottle and 60 Euros for 30ml.

Les Parfums de Rosine: Jardin du Palais Royal 105 Galerie de Valois, 75001 Paris
Perfumer and rose lover Marie-hélène Rogeon was born into a family of famous perfume makers. Her great grand father Louis Panafieu even created an Eau de Cologne for the Emperor Napoleon III and a famous Pommade des Mousquetaires for his lacquer-like finish moustache. As a young girl, Marie-hélène had always been fascinated by this world of exquisite bottles, fragrances, flowery labels and silk braid trimmings.'

She honed her skills at some of France’s great houses of perfume such as Givenchy and Pierre Balmain. This rich experience drove her to the creation of her own company, Les Parfums de Rosine in 1991 — utilising formulations originally created in the 1920’s by Paul Poirot — at a period when women were starting to get tired of commercial perfumery and were beginning to look for real creations and perfumes telling real stories. The two main passions of Marie-Hélène are perfumes and… you guessed it, roses! And so she built a collection of rose perfumes, all different — from the fresher ‘Un Zest de Rose’ to the more sensuous ‘La Rose de Rosine’. Les Parfums de Rosine also makes two men’s perfumes one of which is the bestseller ‘Rose d’Homme’ as well as their celebrated newest fragrance, ‘Zephir de Rose’.

Miller et Bertaux: 17 rue Ferdinand Duval, 75004 Paris
Technically not a perfumery in the real sense of the word, Miller et Bertaux is a visionary design house which has an exquisite parfum line. Unique packaging and stunning fragrances speak of a posh, poetic impression. The stellar perfume of this house is the sublime ‘Bois de Gaiac et Poire’ that is a warm woody gourmand with undertones of light florals that arouse romance and entice long lasting love. The equally popular Eau de Parfum ‘No. 3 Green Green Green and Green’ is a light, bright and effervescent perfume that has impressive notes of vervain and laurel. While bay leaves, vetiver and musk only begin to explain the complexity of this gorgeous take on a fresh green fragrance. Miller et Bertaux say they drew on their irrepressible wanderlust while concocting these treasures — in particular the haunting incense discovered in Mexican churches, the roses of the Orient and the petals of flowers. Militantly minimalist and sleekly chic seems to be the mantra of this house.

 

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