Perfume in Paris
 

I want to buy some nice french perfume in Paris but not break the bank to do so. Can anyone recommend places to do so and recommend some brands to buy? thanks!

Hi R,

All of the major Paris dept stores sell perfume.

Only you can decide which one to buy.

((I))

What to buy depends on you..but the first place I hit when I arrive in PAris is City Pharma, on the corner of rue Bonaparte and rue du Four. They have wonderful perfumes and cosmetics at great prices>

I guess when I ask about brands, believe me, I know I need to try them - I just wanted names of brands that are uniquely parisian, or even french is fine - but that are known to be better brands and not cheap brands like you would see in a drug store here in the good ol' U.S. of A. Does that make more sense? And thanks for the info so far.

Enjoy is quite sublime (Jean Patou)

Sephora (the branch on the Champs Elysees, for example) also sells a wide range of perfumes as well as skin care and cosmetics.
Don't test more than a few perfumes at any one go as your nose will quickly lose the ability to sense the finer points of each perfume. Also, use the testing papers available to narrow your list before testing the final candidates on your skin.
I didn't follow this advice last winter. I tested about 10 different perfumes on myself at Sephora. By the time I left, I smelled like a hooker(but an expensive one, I hope). Even worse, when I next went to the Diptyque store on the Blvd. St. Germain to choose some candles, my sense of smell was so screwed up, I literally couldn't smell any of them. I ended up buying the feuille de lavande (lavender leaf) candle based purely on memory.

Sofia Coppola recommends Pharmacie Homeopatique Weber at 8 rue du Capucines.

I recommend Amin Kader at 2 rue Guisarde/1 rue de la Paix

For most brands found in the USA, it's not the complete line that is available (i think lesss tha 30% of the Guerlain ones are sold in USA)
For less common brands you can look for Fragonard or Annick Goutal or l'Artisan parfumeur

Do they sell Fragonard in shops in Paris? I bought some really nice Fragonard sandalwood cologne (smelled exactly lik Chanel Pour Monsieur) at the Fragonard factory in Eze.

You have Fragonard stores in Paris :
Rue Scribe and rue des Capucines even have tiny museums
There is one rue des Francs Bourgeois and one boulevard Saint Germain

Serge Lutens perfumes - you can find these at Sephora but a wider and exclusive selection can be found at Shiseido Palais Royal (25 Rue de Valois) in the Palais Royal. I can buy them in London but only a smallish selection. There are many, many more which you can only find in Paris. At Sephora, look out for jars of coffee beans to sniff. This is to refresh and reset your sense of smell so that you can sample more fragrances. Bon chance!

I'm back in the US now, after almost two months of an incredibly insightful sojourn in Europe-and do I have to say-not happy to be back? oh, you have NO idea!) But I digress.

While I was in Paris a few weeks back, I discovered Annick Goutal fragrances-there are 6 lovely shops in Paris-I went to the small one in the Marais (on the ancient rue des Rosiers-in the heart of the Jewish Marais) but there are shops on the Place Saint Sulpice, Champs-Elysees, and the rue de Castiglione (also sold in all the great French department stores, Galeries Layfayette, Printemps, Le Bon Marche, Franck et Fils). There is also a shop in Brussels on the Avenue Louise, which I saw last week, and one in Rotterdam.

Now, I'm not a perfume person, because I'm allergic to most scents, (allergic to most everything, actually!) but I went in, took a deep whiff, and fell in LOVE with these perfumes! Light, mostly floral/citrusy-but there are more complex fragrances, as well as limited editions. If you like light, elegant, floral-type fragrances, that are both romantic and sensual (I think) then you might really like to go and check out AG's shops-I guess you could say I'm a big fan of AG now-I bought the limited edition scent "DESLYS" and "CE SOIR OU JAMAIS" while there, have used them both nearly every day since I've bought them (they can be used both day and night-other AG fragrances are heavier, and are intended only for evening). Based on my little samples that they gave me (six different ones!) I'm also going to get QUEL AMOUR-fresh, slightly spicy and sophisticated.

I found it interesting to read about Annick Goutal, the founder, and her obviously personal attachments for the scents she labored to create in her lifetime.

The Annick Goutal website is here:

www.annick-goutal.com (English link at the bottom of page)

Viva la Paris!

Surprised that no one mentioned the great perfume discounter, Catherine, on rue Castiglione. You can get discounts on almost all of the major brand perfumes, as well as the detaxe refund. They sell makeup, too, and are generous with the free samples. You can also order from them and have things shipped overseas.

I was just going to suggest Catherine. I am going back to Paris is November and I'm going to try to find Eden Perfume. It's a shop I visited on my first trip to Paris. It's touristy because I was on a tour that trip and thats one of our stops....however, I got a perfume in there that I just love. It's called "Bastille" and I'm out of it, and I didn't get any last trip even though I saw the store or one of the stores and I want to see if it's still made. Cannot find here at all. I also bought J'adore and was so ticked when about a year later I saw it at Macy's.

There are a lot of people who suggest Catherines and I think I'll stop by there this next trip. As I understand it's a mother/daughter shop and the daughters name is Franny I believe and she speaks very good english, if that concerns you. I got some perfume at Galerie Lafayette. I got it because I liked it and I haven't seen it here, but it was no bargain.

I was going to suggest Annick Goutal, also, which I really like. They sell that in Bon Marche dept. store, though, no need to make a special trip to one of their boutiques. That's the store I like for cosmetic/perfume shopping, but others are fine, also. I like the staff in their, also, they are friendly and helpful (at least when I've been there). I really like the Gardenia fragrance.

Almost all French perfumes are going to be known in other countries, I can't think of a good name that isn't exported. So I can't think of any that are unique to that city.

The department stores do not discount perfume. Places like Catherine and Michel Swiss are discounters of beauty products and fragrances. The sales people are used to dealing with tourists and they all speak English.

Christina, I believe there are some perfumes that are not exported to all markets. My favorite perfume is Guerlain Nahema and I have never found it in the US. In fact, I do not think Guerlain is found at discounters in Paris, either, although it is sold as the duty free and at their shops.

Guerlain Nahema-here you go Ekscrunchy-it is currently out of stock at fragrance.net, which has them all:

(you can just type in the fragrance on the website, and it will pull it up)

http://www.fragrancenet.com/f/net/wf...=goUnassigned7

Thanks for the tip. But Nahema always seems to be "out of stock" on these internet sites. I think they list it as an offering although it is never available. Just a guess. But thanks for taking the time to post, Gipsygirl. I will look for it in the duty free at CDG.

We got a discount coupon for Printemps from the hotel where we stayed, and if I remember correctly, we also got back the VAT, so the department store price turned out to be good. But I would also check out Sephora.

I found a great place to buy perfume. It's a whole perfume experience! We stumbled across it while exploring the western end of the 4th. The shop is called Nez a Nez and is located at 40 rue Quincampoix. (They have a web site at www.nezanez.net. I'm afraid it's in French only, but the woman at the shop spoke very good English.)

They don't sell name brands, but have all their own perfumes. You go in and they give you a pad and pen. Then you start at one end and start smelling the perfumes. (Each has been sprayed on a feather which you hold to your nose.) You write down which ones appeal to you.

When you have your list, the lovely lady who runs the store takes down your choices and you sit at the table to narrow down your choices. You close your eyes and pick between two scents, eliminating them until you are left with your top three favourites.

Then she explains the 'personality' of the perfume you picked. Because you are not picking a name brand, a recommendation from a friend or even a pretty bottle, you are reduced to scent alone. Truthfully, when she described the 'personality' of the perfume, she described my personality to a 'T'. My friend picked a totally different scent and it too was her completely when described. The woman was great and the whole experience was one of the greatest memories from our trip.

I highly recommend the experience. You are under no obligation to buy the perfume if you go through the process. My friend bought a bottle but I didn't. Regardless, she gave me a paper describing my perfume and a feather with some of the scent sprayed on it.

A definite must if you want to buy some perfume in Paris!

re: Nez a Nez...if you actually go into the site..click on the easel..you have a page with perfumes and there are the flag for English and also youi can convert to $

I just love Annick Goutal's Hadrian. It is so light and refreshing.

Also, I love Jo Malone's Lime/Basil/Mandarin. WOW WOW WOW!

Aqua d'Parma fragrances are also fabulous, as is anything by Creed.

Amim Kader sells SML.

Anyone in th Boston Area? Filene's basement has Annick Goutal at 60 to 75% off.

I have you all beat-have you ever been to
Freddy Parfums, 3 rue Scribe? It's the only place where
I perfume because of the prices! I've been there a number of times and they are very friendly.

Up to 40% off on perfumes, handbags, cosmetics, silk scarves, and neckties. Freddy of Paris is near American Express and the Opéra. Open Monday to Saturday 9:30am to 7pm.

Freddy, Michel Swiss and Catherine are the same type of store in the same general neighborhood. Not only do they offer discounted prices but you get the detaxe if you spend enough.

Fragrancenet.com has all the Annick Goutal perfumes/EDT at somewhat of a discount-I know, as I just ordered "Quel Amour" from them for about US 50.00.(EDT) But I would check back at that site for Gherlain, EksC, because I think they're a really responsive internet site-I've ordered and asked questions before from them when ordering and they've been very helpful.

Marginal-I have a sample of "Hadrian" -isn't it funny how different and individual women are about scents? For me, I didn't care for either Hadrian or Gardenia, which Christina said she liked, but Deslys, Chevrefeuille and the others I mentioned I loved, (and also the Rose Absolue, for soaps).

Cigale, I bet Filene's has only some of the AG scents, not all of them. But you can get AG at Nordstrom's and BG too, for that matter, but just a limited selection. Myself, I love the AG boutiques-half the fun of shopping in Paris is going into the individual designer boutiques for the ambience and personal service that you receive, rather than find the same product in the department store (although I LOVE Le Bon Marche department store!)

absolutely agree with you but only mention Filene's basement for those who can't affored it nor get to Paris but want to have those things. Filene's has always been my Mecca sinc I first bought a Galanos in the 60s for $50.

I know the OP has already returned from Paris... but I had to add:

For a perfume you can only find in Paris - and I do mean, it is literally sold only in one store, only in Paris, go to Serge Lutens at the Palais Royale shops. He's widely regarded as one of the most interesting, wonderful, *niche* perfumers in the world. He has an export line (these fragrances are sold in select stores throughout the world, but they're still fairly rare) and an exclusive line (these perfumes are ONLY sold at his store in the Palais Royale).

A "bell jar" (so called because it is a gorgeous glass bottle shaped a bit like a bell) is 100 Euros and holds 2.5 oz. Some people sell SL decants (like 1/5 oz in a small glass rollerball bottle) on ebay. People make quite a handy profit on these decants because the perfumes are rare enough that buyers jump at the opportunity to try his exclusive fragrances.

My favorites are Rahat Loukoum (smells like delicious, warm almond pastries but not in an overly-sweet way; very soft and womanly), Un Lys (the most true Lily fragrance I've ever smelled), A La Nuit, Un Bois Vanille, and Fumerie Turque. Reviews on his fragrances can be found on makeupalley.com, or just click here: http://makeupalley.com/product/searc...x=0&GO.y=0 (I'm not affiliated)

And as someone mentioned above, Guerlain has some exclusives that are only sold in Paris... Nahema, Attrape-Coeur, and others.

Oh, and Chanel has some FABULOUS perfumes that are pretty difficult to find, but you'd absolutely find them in Paris. (And it's a relatively affordable excuse to go in one of their amazing boutiques!)

Chanel no. 22 - the parfum version (the best!) is very rare - easily obtained in Paris.

Also:
Bois Des Iles
Cuir de Russie
Gardenia

The latter 3 perfumes are all part of Chanel's "Rue Cambon" collection. They were created in the 1920s by famous Chanel perfumer Ernest Beaux, then discontinued and lost for decades. They were recently brought back, true to their original formulations, but can be difficult to find. Your average Chanel counter in the mall absolutely won't have them. I've tried them all, and found them all DIVINE, but to each their own.

The parfum versions are by far the best, and though they are expensive, a tiny bottle will last forever because you need so little each time you wear it.

(I'm a bit of a fragrance-hound, can you tell? LOL)

Frederic Malle is another possibility although I am sure they are expensive.

http://www.editionsdeparfums.com/mallesite_gb/index.htm

To experience the best French perfume you should make Guerlain, at 68 Champs Elysee, your first stop. They carry some perfumes that are not available at any other location and will be glad to show you which ones. Of course, you should buy what you love, and there is an overwhelming inventory of classic fragrance there.
Another classic perfumer is Caron. These perfumes are swoonworthy. Their best shop is the newer one on the rue de Faubourg Saint-Honore. It's much larger than the tiny one on Avenue Montaigne and sales people are nicer.
After that, I would go to the Salons du Palais Royale to Serge Lutens. He has created some spectacular perfumes and some are only available at that location. Right nearby is Parfums de Rosine - it's easy to miss. If you like roses you will love their perfumes.
For lighter florals that are easy to wear I wouldn't miss Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier. They are at 5 rue des Capucines and 84, bis rue de Grenelle.
If you happen to walk by Frederic Malle, you must try them.
Of course the lovely Annick Goutal stores are as charmiing as her fragrances and can be found in quite a few locations.
Another thought is to go the Galeries Layfayette, go to the Welcome Desk and get your 10% off coupon, buy enough there to qualify for the detaxe and save some money. (You won't find many of the unique niche brands there, though.)
You can easily go into olefactory overload in Paris - Have fun!

Ooh, I am so excited. I just returned a few weeks ago and I loved it so much I am going back in the spring. This past trip was more about the big sites, but next time will be more intimate, spending time wandering and shopping - and a full week to boot. I had heard there were stores that make perfume for you so thanks c2Paris. I really want to try that. Like Gipsy I am a light perfume floral scent kind of gal. I am still using my lavender perfume I got in Provence two years ago, which I love. Lavender seems strong when you spray it, but its really very soft on. I can't wait to go back. I don't know if it's a curse or a blessing that I live for my next trip.

WOW, I go away for a week and come back to a plethora of wonderful responses! I'm not going until thanksgiving week so I have a lot of options to consider - thank you so much!

Diptyque (34 Blvd. St. Germain) makes some outrageously good - and expensive - scented candles (34 Euros, if I recall correctly) and soaps, as well as perfumes. Their perfumes are often more unisex, though, and are very fresh/natural smelling. Philosykos is their most popular fragrance - it's the very essence of a fig tree under the hot Greek sun.

The Feu de Bois (firewood) candle sounds bizarre, but is one of the Best. Smells. Ever.

Their shop is oh-so-very Parisian, and even if you're more interested in perfumes, you should at least stop by if you're in the neighborhood and smell their amazing products. Printemps (and probably the other dept stores too) also carries Diptyque.

Rivoli mentioned several other great French perfumers, and I would second all of those suggestions. Guerlain is definitely considered the Best of the Best in French perfumery. (Be sure to sniff the classics: Shalimar, Mitsouko, L'Heure Bleue, Vol de Nuit, Apres l'Ondee, and others!), so a visit to them is, well, de rigueur.

I second the Diptyque shop on Blvd. St. Germain - yes, you can buy these products in many places overseas but there's nothing going to the source! My favourite is called L'Eau, which is actually based on a 16th century clove and cinnamon pomander - very Christmasy!

Annick Goutal unfortunately passed away from breast cancer and the company is now run by her daughter Camille who is fortunately carrying on her mother's tradition of making absolutely stunning fragrances. She has just come out with a new candle called 'Le Sac de Ma Mere' (my mother's handbag), evoking the smell of her mother's leather bag. My absolute favourites are Gardenia Passion, Vanille Exquise and Songes but I just about love them all.

I am also a fan of Serge Lutens. Like Jo Malone and Annick Goutal, he bases many of his scents on specific memories, in particular Morocco where he has a home. I love his Clair de Musc and Fleurs D'Oranger.

My favourite though will always be Opium. Can you believe my mother bought me a bottle when I was only 16?