The Finest Perfume Shops in Paris

The Finest Perfume Shops in Paris

Updated by Vanessa M in June 2023.

Adding to Paris’ many accolades as the city of love, world fashion capital, and foodie haven is the title of perfume central. Since Paris is known for its many perfumes, many of the world’s best noses have been taking up residency here for centuries. Of course, ceating an iconic fragrance is no easy task, even for the Parisian maître parfumeurs.

However, there are just some Parisian perfumeries that have mastered their craft and are a cut above the rest. So if you’re on the hunt for your own unique fragrance, these are the finest perfume shops in Paris.

L’Officine Universelle Buly

Photo courtesy of l’Officine Universelle Buly – Sourced from their official website

Easily finding a spot on the list of finest perfume stores in Paris is l’Officine Universelle Buly. The Buly brand was founded in 1803 by Jean-Vincent Buly, a master perfumer. This perfume shop started out in Paris and actually just sold high end perfumes and vinegar to start off with.  But today, Buly has expanded to include all kinds of perfume, beauty, and grooming items – all in a classic old-time style.

Buly’s philosophy is that a good perfume should adapt to the person and the personality. I’d have to agree with that! Their strong eau triple scents are as iconic as the universe surrounding Buly.

Stepping into a Buly boutique feels like setting foot in a 19th century apothecary shop. Everything is antique and yet timeless; there’s a sense of mystery and still familiarity. And if you need a unique gift idea, anything you buy from Buly can be monogrammed by an on-site calligrapher!

practical information:

l’officine universelle de buly – 6 Rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris

open monday – saturday 10:30AM//7PM

metro station: saint germain des pres

Nose

Courtesy of Nose – Uploaded by them

Simply titled Nose, there’s no mistaking what’s offered at this fine perfume shop. Nose is a concept store for high end fragrances and beauty products if you will. Basically, perfumes, candles, and beauty products from the world’s best brands, all under one roof.

Located in the trendy Sentier area, Nose stocks French fragrances, but specializes in rare and harder to find perfumes from all over the world. Their selection is truly enormous, and the team takes special care to ensure there are always plenty of unique scents to choose from. Perfumes from Penhaligon’s London, Juliette has a Gun, MEMO and Vilhelm Parfumerie all grace the shelves. So this is a great spot to go if you’re looking for something a little different or hard to find.

practical information:

nose – 20 Rue Bachaumont, 75002 Paris

open monday – saturday 10:30am//7PM

metro station: sentier

Fragonard

Photo courtesy of Fragonard – Sourced from their official website

No guide to the finest perfume stores in Paris would be complete without mentioning Fragonard. Founded in 1926 in Grasse, Fragonard is one of the oldest perfumeries in the region. And by that measure, a real French institution.

The founder’s original idea was to sell real French perfume to tourists visiting the French Riviera. This plan worked even better than expected, and Fragonard became a real hit with locals and visitors alike. Fragonard uses the classic techniques to produce their perfume, and it really makes a difference in the final products. Quality in, quality out.  And to this day, the company has stayed in the family despite becoming a household name!

If you’d like to learn more about the art of perfume making, be sure to stop by the Fragonard museum in Paris. It’s just next to the Opéra Garnier!

practical information:

fragonard musée du parfum – 3-5 Square de l’Opéra-Louis Jouvet, 75009 Paris

open monday – saturday 9AM//5PM

metro station: opera

Diptyque Saint-Germain

Photo courtesy of Diptyque – Sourced from their official website

If you’re a perfume fan, it’s probably hard to imagine Diptyque as anything but a household name. But it wasn’t all that long ago that the cult favorite Parisian perfume shop was just starting out.

Diptyque was founded in 1961 by three friends. Initially, they sold specialized printed fabrics at the iconic boutique at 34 boulevard Saint-Germain. A couple years later, they developed some scented candles with great success. And just like that, the Diptyque perfume brand was born.

Today there are over 50 signature scents, sold as perfumes, candles, and even soap. Most of their fragrances are unisex, and can be layered for more depth. They also offer solid perfumes which I love, these are perfect for traveling.

practical information:

diptyque saint-germain – 34 boulevard Saint-Germain

open monay – saturday 10AM//7PM

metro station: maubert-mutualité

Maison Trudon

Photo courtesy of Maison Trudon – Sourced from their official website

Looking for a little bit of history with your Parisian perfume? Well, Maison Trudon is actually one of the oldest perfumeries in the world! The brand was founded back in 1643 and started out as a grocer and candle maker.

Wealthy locals quickly recognized this little boutique on Rue Saint-Honoré for its exceptional quality. Popular with aristocrats and French high society, word of Trudon’s exceptional fragrances made its way to the palace! During the reign of Louis XIV, Maison Trudon became the official Royal candle maker and even supplied perfume to the King.

Today, Trudon specializes in perfume and scented candles. Their scents are original and pungent, without being overpowering. One of their most famous is called Abd El Kader, and smells of fresh Moroccan mint tea in the most delightful way possible.

The Maison Trudon has several boutiques around the world, but you can still visit the flagship in Paris. 

practical information:

cire trudon – 78 Rue de Seine, 75006 Paris

open monday – saturday 10am//7PM

metro station: odeon

Guerlain Champs-Elysées

Photo courtesy of Guerlain – Sourced from their official website

Perhaps one of the most iconic French perfumers of all time, Guerlain certainly deserves a mention. The Parisian brand opened its first storefront in 1828 on the Rue de Rivoli. Guerlain quickly rose through the ranks of luxurious perfume, and was creating special fragrances for Napoleon III and his wife just a decade after opening.

Guerlain quickly became a household name, and the brand’s flagship fragrance Shalimar was released in 1925. Today, Guerlain’s perfumes are known internationally, and are some of the most sought-after in the world. If you’re looking to do some Guerlain shopping in Paris, head to their Champs-Elysées boutique. It’s definitely worth seeing, and has one of the best selections in Paris.

practical information:

guerlain champs-elysées – 68 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris

open monday – saturday 10:30AM//8:30PM

open sundays 12PM//8PM

metro station: George V

Annick Goutal Boutique

Jean-François Gornet from Paris, France, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This House of Fine Perfumery has been giving a true art of perfuming since 1981, with elegant and one-of-a-kind compositions that accompany every moment of life. Each perfume delivers a tale that we can experience through our skin and senses.

Today, Maison Goutal offers over twenty fragrances: one-of-a-kind creations, each with its own story to tell. They come in slim fluted bottles that represent Annick Goutal’s traditional perfume production.

You’ll also discover fragrant candles, soft creams, and shower oils soaked with the house’s renowned smells in this store full of heady scents, just a stone’s throw from the Grande Epicerie de Paris.

practical information:

14 Rue Castiglione. 75001 Paris

open Tuesday-Saturday; 11 am-7 pm

metro station: Chaussée d’Antin — La Fayette

Serge Lutens

LPLT, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Discover the Serge Lutens boutique and its distinctive aromatic creations in the heart of the Palais-Royal garden, in the historic center of Paris. A prestigious address and an outstanding perfume collection!

It is one of those famous Parisian addresses that one wishes to keep to oneself but gladly shares with the initiated, those who appreciate pure and unique aromas. Everything becomes tranquil, opulent, and sensuous once the hefty entrance door is pulled open.

This incredibly magnificent setting, with its amethyst decor, woodwork, friezes, and dreamlike embellishments, majestic and startling central staircase, was designed in 1992 by Serge Lutens, the master of the home himself, to amplify his first and then unique creation: Féminité du bois.

The boutique now houses the whole collection of excellent perfumes as well as the Serge Lutens make-up brand, in addition to this already legendary perfume. Allow yourself to be seduced by the legendary label’s best-sellers, the spicy and thorny notes of La Fille de Berlin, the floral tones of Dompteuse encagée, the warm and enveloping notes of Santal, the elegant and minimalist line of Poivre Noir.

practical information:

142 Gal de Valois, 75001 Paris, France

open Monday-Saturday; 11 am-7 pm

metro station: Saint-Paul

Jovoy Paris

Photo by Valeria Boltneva from Pexels

Jovoy Paris is a high-end perfumery that has been creating wonderful smells since 1923. The brand is inspired by art, culture, and travel to create distinctive and elegant scents that captivate the senses and elicit emotion.

From classic scents to current blends, Jovoy Paris has a fragrance for everyone, making it a well-known and renowned name in the world of luxury perfume. 

All Jovoy creations, whether eaux de parfum, extracts, or interior smells, have a captivating tale to tell, coming from a personal meeting or experience. Each is meticulously produced by independent noses working in collaboration with the publishing business, and their interpretation must represent the initial promise and vision.

As a result of this decidedly modern approach, Jovoy lends its name to a selection of diverse inspirations, completely in sync with connoisseurs of unique perfumes from throughout the world.

practical information:

4 Rue de Castiglione, 75001 Paris, France

open Tuesday-Saturday; 11 am-7 pm

metro station: Saint-Paul

Maison Francis Kurkdjian

Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

Kurkdjian’s enthusiasm for fragrance, as well as his attention to workmanship and expertise, have earned him a reputation as one of the industry’s most acclaimed perfumers, with a reputation for crafting distinctive and nuanced smells that captivate the senses.

Kurkdjian’s scents are a sensory experience inspired by his Armenian background and travels throughout the world. Maison Francis Kurkdjian offers a collection of perfumes that are both classic and modern, encapsulating the spirit of luxury and elegance in each bottle, with a devotion to quality and originality. Their flagship location is in the first arrondissement.

practical information:

41 rue Etienne Marcel, 75001 Paris

open Monday-Saturday; 10 am-7 pm

metro station: Saint-Paul

5 Things to Keep in Mind When Shopping for Perfume in Paris

Paris is without a doubt the world’s scent capital. The city has a long history of providing rich scents that perfume lovers like. There are a few things to bear in mind when shopping for perfume in Paris to ensure a satisfying and memorable experience. Here are five important considerations:

Research and Prepare: Do some study on the perfume businesses and residences in Paris before your trip. Choose the ones that are compatible with your preferences and have a strong reputation for producing high-quality scents. This will allow you to make the most of your time and visit the most important attractions. If you want to buy perfume in Paris, you should get two types.

Photo by Kade Jermark from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/clear-glass-perfume-bottle-on-brown-surface-1557980/

The scent you wear every day. It’s the one you’re familiar with. As well as a normal one. Chanel #5 perhaps? Because what smells good depends on who is speaking. However, if you enjoy perfume, I believe you should visit Grasse in southern France. It is the city where every company purchases its fragrances.

Explore Different Fragrance Houses: If you’re more interested in niche perfumes, France is unquestionably the place to go with countless fragrance stores selling one-of-a-kind and beautiful scents. Serge Lutens, Frederic Malle, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Atelier Cologne, L’Artisan Parfumeur, and Diptyque are among the most well-known fragrance businesses in Paris.

Department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Le Bon Marche should be your first stop if you’re looking for popular designer perfumes like Chanel, Dior, Hermes, YSL, Gucci, Cartier, Givenchy, and the like. There are also several traditional French scents that can only be purchased in France.

Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr), CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Fragonard is one of the most well-known, with a distinctive selection of perfumes inspired by the French Riviera. The Fragonard boutique in Opéra is a veritable treasure trove of classic and contemporary scents suitable for any occasion.

Test and Sample: Perfume is a highly personal choice, and it is critical to evaluate and sample perfumes before purchasing. Most perfume shops in Paris offer testers or tiny samples for consumers to try. Allow plenty of time to evaluate perfumes on your skin, as scents might differ based on your body chemistry. Remember to smell the perfume after it has settled because the first notes may differ from the dry-down.

Get a tax refund: You can claim a tax return on your purchases in France in two ways: traditional in-store paper methods or mobile tax refund apps like Wevat. The main advantage of adopting a digital approach like Wevat is that you can enjoy better refund rates when compared to the traditional in-store technique, not to mention the simplicity of never having to deal with paper forms again.

Previously, you had to bring your passport with you and show it to the retailer every time you bought something to acquire a tax refund form. All you have to do with Wevat is ask for a purchase invoice addressed to Wevat at the cashier – no more bother and waiting at the checkout.

Another advantage of using Wevat is that there are no partner store restrictions. When shopping at some scent boutiques that are more popular with residents than visitors, you may discover that they are not partnered with standard tax refund firms to offer tourists a VAT refund.

Photo by Yulia H. from Pexels

Seek Expert Advice: Make use of the knowledge of the perfume store sales team. They are scent experts who may provide significant insights and recommendations based on your tastes. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, express your tastes, and seek their advice in order to get the perfect perfume for you.