Paris is a popular destination year-round, but autumn is an ideal time to visit as the summer heat can be intense. One of the city’s most iconic attractions is its perfumeries, offering a unique sensory experience.
Instead of just enjoying the captivating scents, visitors can create their own perfumes with expert guidance at two renowned perfumeries. One is Maison des Parfums Candora, an independent perfumery founded by individuals passionate about scents and located in central Paris. The other is Fragonard, a well-known family-operated international company.
Maison des Parfums Candora, established in 2017 near the Seine River, Notre-Dame cathedral, and Ile Saint-Louis, allows visitors to participate in perfume-making workshops under professional supervision. The founder, Emmanuel Frossard, along with perfumers Isabelle Ferrand and Mélanie Leroux, guide visitors in creating their unique scents. The perfumery also offers a range of scented products and can ship perfumes worldwide.
Frossard, who previously worked for major corporations like L’Oreal and Louis Vuitton, combines various scents to create unique fragrances. Visitors can create their perfumes in just a few minutes or join extended workshops for a more in-depth olfactory experience.
Another exciting project at Candora is a sensory journey curated with novelist Ingrid Astier, exploring twenty-one scents in the collection. The Olfactory Library includes scents like damask rose, oud, bigarade orange, and vetiver, allowing visitors to engage their olfactory memory through an interactive experience.
On the other hand, Fragonard, founded in 1926 in Grasse, known for its rich perfume heritage, is managed by the founder’s great-granddaughters. The perfumery has thrived amidst the globalization of the industry, maintaining its family-oriented values.
Visitors to Fragonard can participate in workshops to create personalized perfumes guided by experts. The perfumery also houses museums dedicated to perfumes and costumes, showcasing its rich history and innovative approach to fragrance making.
For those visiting Paris, exploring the workshops at Maison des Parfums Candora or Fragonard is a must. These experiences offer insight into the art of perfumery and allow visitors to create their signature scents, adding a personalized touch to their Parisian adventures.
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