Fashion, the Eiffel Tower, baguettes, berets, and of course perfume are all associated with Paris. Perfume is sometimes overlooked in favor of the other senses that Paris tends to arouse. But about a block from the Paris Opera Garnier stands the Musee du Parfum. It occupies two floors of a Napoleon III townhouse built in 1860 and furnished in period style.
The Perfume Museum Paris houses a rare collection of all paraphernalia connected to perfume production and the perfume industry. The museum is run by the Fragonard company, which was established in 1926 and today manufactures a line of scented products from perfume to soaps and candles.
Perfume Museum Paris – Musée du Parfum Fragonard
You’ll be swept into a cloud of relaxing fragrances while touring the array of perfume products and instruments used in the production of perfume. Learn about antique uses for perfume, the history of perfume production, and the modern perfume industry. Visitors get to see a large collection of perfume bottles in all shapes and sizes.
Free Entrance and Tour of the Perfume Museum Paris
Visitors are guided around the museum by an expert in perfume. You’ll learn how natural ingredients are combined to make the fragrances. Visitors are invited to take an olfactory quiz to test their noses. At the end of the tour, you enter the Fragonard perfume boutique where you can sample and buy perfume.
10 Facts About Paris and Perfume
- Historic Perfume Houses: Paris is home to some of the world’s oldest and most prestigious perfume houses, such as Guerlain, founded in 1828, and Fragonard, established in 1926. These houses have played a pivotal role in shaping the history of perfumery.
- Famous Perfume District: The Marais district in Paris is renowned as a hub for perfumery. It houses numerous boutique perfume shops, offering a diverse range of scents and allowing visitors to explore unique fragrances.
- Champs-Élysées Perfume Shops: The iconic Champs-Élysées avenue features flagship stores of major perfume brands, making it a destination for fragrance enthusiasts. Stores like Guerlain and Chanel showcase their exquisite creations in this glamorous setting.
- Fragrance Museums: There are several perfume Museums Paris dedicated to the art of perfume. The Fragonard Perfume Museum, for example, provides insights into the history of perfume making, showcasing vintage perfume bottles and equipment.
- Master Perfumers: Paris has been a training ground for many master perfumers. The city’s perfume schools, such as the renowned ISIPCA (Institut Supérieur International du Parfum, de la Cosmétique et de l’Aromatique Alimentaire), attract aspiring perfumers from around the world.
- Custom Perfume Blending: Visitors to Paris can often experience personalized perfume creation. Some boutique perfumeries offer bespoke fragrance services, allowing customers to blend their own unique scents under the guidance of expert perfumers.
- Chic Perfume Boutiques: Paris is dotted with elegant and sophisticated perfume boutiques. Stores like Serge Lutens, Diptyque, and Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle offer a curated selection of niche and artistic fragrances.
- Perfume and Fashion Collaboration: Paris is a city where the worlds of fashion and fragrance often intersect. High-end fashion houses, including Chanel and Dior, seamlessly integrate perfume into their brand, creating iconic scents that complement their fashion collections.
- Annual Fête du Parfum: Paris hosts events celebrating perfume, such as the Fête du Parfum. This festival showcases the art of perfumery through exhibitions, workshops, and presentations, offering a platform for both established and emerging perfumers.
- Paris as a Perfume Inspiration: The city itself serves as a muse for many perfumers. Fragrances often draw inspiration from Parisian landmarks, gardens, and the overall ambiance of the city, capturing its romantic and sophisticated essence.
Practical Details
Guided Tours: There are guided tours in English and French or you can wander through on your own. The tours last about half an hour and start every 20 minutes. The last tour leaves at 5pm.
Perfume Workshops: For something really special take a perfume workshop where you can create your own scent and take it home. Workshops cost 95 Euro, last 1.5hrs and are run on Saturdays.
Where: 9, rue Scribe, Paris.
Getting there: Take the metro to Opera.
Tel:+33 (0) 1 47 42 04 56
Open Hours: Mon- Sat 09:00-18:00. Sun and holidays, 09:00-17:00
Cost: Free!
Web site: Museum of Perfume.
What a great site you have here – very interesting recommendations, I’ll be sure to add many of them to my list!