Scents and Sensibility: Shopping for Bespoke Perfume in Paris

“Almost two centuries have passed since Pierre-François Guerlain, the father of French perfumery, opened his first boutique on Paris’s rue de Rivoli, where he concocted bespoke fragrances for the Empress Eugénie and offered the first commercial scents, kicking off France’s perfume craze.

Two hundred years and untold aromas later, personalised fragrances are making a monumental comeback in Paris in the form of niche brands and customised or semi-customised perfumes. Though some top perfume houses are happy to create a signature scent for you and you only, the price tag for that can easily exceed that of a new car. But never fear, for a minimal investment you can create your very own fragrance while also acquiring an in-depth olfactory education – with an unforgettable Paris experience thrown into the bargain.”