If you have watched Emily In Paris on Netflix, then you have followed Emily Cooper, as she leaves Chicago behind and realizes that there is no place in the world like Paris. The capital of culture, cuisine, fashion with 20 arrondissements (districts) let us take a whirlwind tour of The City of Lights and romance with your perfume.
First stop, the Eiffel Tower which is the most-visited paid monument in the world and a must see for any one visiting Paris. Designer Yves Saint Laurent created Paris as a tribute to the city he loved, as one of the most sumptuous rose-based perfumes ever created. Yves Saint Laurent wanted the ultimate rose perfume. In his own words, the “old-fashioned, plump, slowly disappearing varieties, like in the exotic gardens of Marrakesh.” Perfumer Sophia Grojsman made his dream come true using the rose (May and Damask) as the effervescent star of a bouquet that includes violet, mimosa, ylang-ylang, geranium, iris, and mayflower, all warmed by amber and musk. Just like Paris and chic Parisiennes, the scent is both modern and classic. It is the essence of joie de vivre in a bottle shaped like the Eiffel Tower and dedicated to women in full bloom.
Avenue Montaigne is home to many designer boutiques including Christian Dior. Emily Cooper might wear Miss Dior Absolutely Blooming. Delightful notes of sweet/tart red berries, Grasse rose absolute, and peony accord creates a captivating and beautiful scent. Perfect for special events, romantic evenings, or night-outs with the girls, the scent gives off a sexy feeling you get when you are ready to go on a date or to a club with your friends.
Head next to Chanel’s flagship retail store on 31 Rue Cambon. CHANEL No.5 is the most iconic perfumes of all time and when it was created in 1921, it was the most expensive perfume of its day, blending flowers from Grasse, France, where a pound of jasmine now goes for $33,000. Worn by fashionable women for decades, it is quintessentially Parisian but appeals to celebrities such as Kendall Jenner, Eva Mendes, Victoria Beckham, Jessica Alba, Celine Dion, and Claudia Schiffer who are all reportedly fans. Parisian actress Audrey Tatou is the perfume’s spokesperson and face in 2023.
The Champs Elysees is known as “the world’s most beautiful avenue’, with upscale shopping, events and posh restaurants. Guerlain’s flagship located at 68, Avenue des Champs-Elysées. Along with Chanel’s No. 5, Shalimar is the most famous Paris perfume of all time. It is considered the benchmark fragrance for the House of Guerlain. Created by Jacques Guerlain in 1925 Shalimar is breathtakingly beautiful, it’s unique blend of vanilla, floral and powdery notes is famously known as the “guerlainade.” The exact formula is kept secret and the urn shaped bottle is immediately recognizable.
After all that shopping, take a break and enjoy a sweet treat, Café Angelina is located on Rue Rivoli and is known for their delectable hot chocolate. Thierry Mugler Angel is one of the best-selling perfumes in the world and evokes Angelina’s warm, dark, tasty, and milky drink.
Emily loves artwork and Quai Branly Museum might be one of her favorites since she loves modern art. The museum features exhibitions honoring the sculpture and paintings of many cultures including Africa, L’Artisan Parfumeur Timbuktu was signed by Master Perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour, who was inspired by the intense scents of West Africa and the traditional art of Wusulan and love potions of the region. Timbuktu was the first perfume to use mysterious ingredient Karo Karounde, an indigenous West African flower which lends a jungle-like quality to the perfume with facets of green violets, leathery carnation, and ripe fruits. Pink peppercorns and grapefruit lend an engaging freshness.
Famous perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena found inspiration to create Hermes Un Jardin Sur La Toit after spending time on the rooftop garden of the Hermes flagship store at 24 Rue de Faubourg in Paris as summery scents of flowers and trees were in bloom. Ellena recreates the smell of lush flowers, wet soil, soft woods, and greenery of Paris flawlessly with Un Jardin Sur La Toit. He added tart green apple and pear at the opening which surround apple blossom, sheer roses, magnolia with a touch of aromatic rosemary.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Rouge 540 by master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian was created for the French luxury brand Baccarat and was inspired by their crystal chandeliers This opulent, sweet, and slightly spiced perfume has the same slightly mesmerizing effect on the skin that fine crystal has on the eyes. The opening is delicious with a shot of blood orange and jasmine that quickly settles into amber and slightly spiced golden saffron in the heart notes leaving a glowing aura on the skin.
We have finished taking you through all the best perfumes for a trip to Paris. Now it’s time to head over to Perfume.com to choose your favorite.
Fragrance advice and recommendations from Perfumista. Perfumista offers fragrance guides published often for every season and occasion, and well as extensive knowledge in the fragrance industry.
