A History of French Perfumery: What Makes French Perfume Desirable?
Fragrance experts explore French perfume production, explaining why French-made scents and those featuring French ingredients continue to reign supreme
When we think of perfumes, scents and high-end fragrances, we often imagine a delicate, ornate glass bottle, gorgeous packaging, and artistic, exotic names, descriptions and ingredients – those synonymous with an eau de toilette or eau de parfum.
France undoubtedly remains the champion of the international perfume industry, with scents manufactured in the country making up as much as 30% of the supply of all fragrances globally.
Parfum Muse, a supplier of luxury, exclusive, contemporary, and classic scents, shares insights into the background of French perfume production and explains why, so many years later, scents made in France or featuring French ingredients continue to reign supreme.
How French Perfume Became a Global Luxury Product
As a team of fragrance specialists passionate about the power of elegant, refined, and powerful scents, we love sharing our knowledge about the history of the products we adore and exploring the heritage of brands that have been around for generations!
We’ll begin by rewinding to the 1500s, to a small French town called Grasse that was best known for its overpowering odour, owing to its prime position within the tanning industry. Innovative residents found that adding lavender and other florals to tinctures and spraying them on locally produced leather gloves created an attractive scent.
The town became one of the early birthplaces of modern perfume, using locally grown plants and essences that were quickly recognised as a symbol of wealth and sophistication, used as personal scents, powders for wigs and product fragrances.
At this point the French perfume scene was already in its infancy, with vinegar and oils being used by royalty and the upper classes. The first documented perfume produced in France dates back even further to 1370, when it was manufactured with ‘Queen of Hungary water’ – a type of rosemary.
Perfume became more popular during the reign of Louis XV, who was renowned for his la Cour Parfumée, or perfumed court. Baths were incredibly rare at the time, and scents were rapidly developed to satisfy the king's wishes for his court to be fresh at all times, irrespective of bathing habits.
Fast-forward to the mid-1770s and the launch of celebrated perfumeries and stores by LT Piver and Jean-François Houbigant in Paris were the first benchmarks of the modern perfume market—halted briefly by the French Revolution.
Why Is French Perfume Considered the Best in the World?
Like many modern innovations, perfume was born of a need – in this case, to control unpleasant odours in major towns and cities. The ‘cleansing period’ led by Baron Haussmann involved a surge in perfume production and the development of synthetic and natural ingredients throughout Paris.
Grasse, the small town mentioned earlier, remained significant and became the hub of fragrance production. These products captured the interest of the nobility, who considered a perfume designed or made in France as a mark of quality.
Today, that legacy remains untarnished, where ingredients grown in France continue to feature in top-end luxury brands, including:
- Provence lavender
- Grasse roses
- Jasmine and roses from the south of France
Generations of growers and perfume expertise have been passed down, causing the market to perceive French ‘noses’ as the best in the world, fueled by the availability of natural ingredients and a well-established production economy.
Heritage Roots and Contemporary Luxury Scents
When exploring the Parfum Muse collection, you’ll find fragrances from specialist brands across the globe, including Laboratorio Olfattivo from Italy, Chopard from Switzerland, Goldfield & Banks from Australia, and Tumi, an American perfume house.
However, a significant proportion of the leading lights in luxe scents remain proudly French, with the appeal of the ‘fabriqué en France’ label as relevant today as ever.
If you’re keen to sample some of the top French fragrances, including those with a nod to their roots or inspired by historic French perfume production, we’ve compiled a shortlist of our favourite Gallic scents.
BDK Parfums: A Niche French Perfume House Founded in 2016
The fragrances from BDK are based on muses, focal points and fashion styles drawn from the streets of Paris, the waters of the Seine and the green spaces blooming amongst the iconic architecture.
Featuring tasteful florals, opulent accents and elegant notes that mimic the Palais Royal, the collection offers several uplifting perfumes. Try the signature BDK Gris Charnel for a Parisian twist, or choose Bouquet de Hongrie for a touch of extravagance and refinery.
Parfums Frapin: Artisanal French Perfumes From the Frapin Family
The name behind the brand relates to the Frapin dynasty, who became famous as cognac producers in 1270. From their castle in southern France, they manufactured sought–after liquors; the start of a reputation that would last for over 750 years.
Each scent in the collection is inspired by the family’s history, cognacs, and landscapes. It uses heritage ingredients, traditional production techniques, and a flair for the dramatic. Try Speakeasy Eau de Parfum for the ultimate in cognac-inspired scent or the 1270 Eau de Parfum for a journey through the sensations of La Folle Blanche, a complex, intricate wine.
Parfums de Marly: Heritage French Luxury Fragrances
Inspired by Louis XV's infamous love of luxury scents, La Maison works to bring the essence of palace life to each bottle, incorporating touches of history and indulgence in every fragrance. It uses the iconic horses and coat of arms commissioned by the king in 1743 for display on the entrance to his chateau as its trademark logo.
These perfumes have a unique character, with fragrances like the Delina Eau de Parfum, a favourite of modern fashion and luxury connoisseurs, or the exquisite Haltane Eau de Parfum, an original fragrance using ingredients that would have featured within classic 18th-century French perfumes.
Initio Parfums Privés: A Mysterious Modern Parisien Perfume House
Finally, for a lesson on French perfumery, we'd suggest a scent from Initio Parfums, a brand that was launched in 2015. It remains subject to much conjecture about the processes used to design fragrances that are thought to provide mood-enhancing properties.
Magnetic Blend 7 Eau de Parfum uses musky pheromones, and the Absolute Aphrodisiac features natural ingredients like amber, vanilla, and castoreum for a potent essence. Try layering these clever, evocative scents for an authentic French perfume experience!
Read more about Parfum Muse - Scents That Stay: Why Do Some Perfumes Wear Off So Quickly?
About Parfum Muse
Parfum Muse is the new luxe shopping destination for perfume lovers, showcasing some of the UK’s most premium niche and fine fragrances
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Source Company - https://www.parfum-muse.com/