What Perfumes to Buy in Paris: A Guide to Niche & Iconic Fragrance Houses
Paris has long been the beating heart of the perfume world, but with so many choices, how do you know what perfumes to buy on a visit to Paris? This city is not just about cafés and boutiques, but to some of us, fragrance lovers, it also holds the most enchanting perfume houses in existence!
From the gilded salons of historic perfume maisons to the discreet ateliers of emerging artisans, the French capital has nurtured a centuries-old love affair with scent. When we think of Guerlain, Worth, Caron, Houbigant, Rosine from yesteryear to today’s Pierre Guillaume, BDK, Annick Goutal etc…
In the 17th and 18th centuries, perfume was more than an accessory-it was a symbol of refinement, sophistication, and artistry. French royals and nobles used scent as naturally as silk gloves or a tailored coat, turning fragrance into an essential part of daily life. Today, that tradition lives on in the city’s vibrant niche perfume scene, where artistry meets olfactory storytelling.
Nowadays, on TikTok, we talk about signature scents, layering and even more talk about perfume oils. Perfumes are as much an accessory to any wardrobe as a statement bag or shoes!
If you’re visiting Paris and wondering what perfumes to buy, I’ve got you! As a perfume collector myself (over 200 bottles) I am at home in Paris when it comes to knowing the houses. My guide will take you through some of the most exciting houses and creations-from historic legends to modern indie gems. Each fragrance tells a story, and each house has its own fascinating history or visionary perfumer behind it.
The Allure of Niche Perfume in Paris
Niche perfume is about more than just smelling nice-it’s about identity, memory, and emotion. Unlike mass-market fragrances, these are often created in smaller batches, with daring compositions that push boundaries. Paris is home to an impressive roster of niche perfume brands that have earned cult followings around the world. From Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s luminous Baccarat Rouge 540 to Serge Lutens’ poetic Iris Silver Mist, these fragrances are personal signatures, not just accessories.
And ones that are hard to find outside of France.
Shopping for perfume in Paris isn’t just retail therapy-it’s an experience. Many boutiques are works of art themselves, with attentive staff who will guide you through the house’s creations and help you discover a scent that feels uniquely yours.
Perfume as Part of the Parisian Wardrobe
For Parisians, perfume is as integral to personal style as a perfectly cut blazer or a timeless leather bag. Choosing a fragrance here is not casual; it’s a ritual. Each scent reflects personality, mood, and even the season. Whether you’re seeking a fresh floral bouquet for spring walks along the Seine or a deep, smoky, resinous scent for winter evenings in candlelit cafés, the city’s perfume boutiques invite you to curate a fragrance wardrobe.
Perfume in Paris is wearable art-a memory in liquid form that lingers long after you’ve left.
Many Parisian women will not divulge their signature perfume scent to anyone!
The Ultimate Perfume Shopping List in Paris
While at the last Paris Perfume week, I couldn’t help but get enthralled in the behind-the-scenes of Perfumes. So here’s a carefully curated list of perfumes to seek out in Paris, complete with the stories of the houses and noses behind them.
1. Maison Francis Kurkdjian – Oud Silk Mood
A refined blend of oud, Bulgarian rose, and blue chamomile, Oud Silk Mood is soft yet magnetic-like a silk scarf catching the evening breeze in Paris. It’s one of those scents you either fall madly in love with or find overwhelming, perfect for oud lovers.
House history: Francis Kurkdjian is one of the most celebrated perfumers of our time. At just 26, he created Le Male for Jean Paul Gaultier, which became a global best-seller. Later, he founded his own house in 2009 with Marc Chaya, emphasizing artistry and elegance. Today, his boutique on Rue Saint-Honoré is a pilgrimage site for perfume enthusiasts.
Or try: APOM (“A Part of Me”), an orange blossom and cedarwood hug in a bottle.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Boutique Marais
7 Rue des Blancs Manteaux · 01 42 71 76 76
2. Binet Papillon – Magnolia Underground
Creamy magnolia petals meet earthy patchouli and incense-an olfactory journey from a spring garden to an underground jazz club. This tiny Parisian perfume house creates fragrances that feel intimate and hypnotic.
House history: Binet Papillon is a micro-niche brand rooted in craftsmanship. The founders, passionate about natural ingredients and raw emotion in scent, produce in small quantities, making each perfume feel like a rare treasure.
BINET-PAPILLON
5 Rue de la Banque · 06 11 70 20 40
3. Memo Paris – African Leather
Warm and spicy with cardamom, saffron, and leather-African Leather is like stepping into a safari at golden hour. The boutique itself is near Rue Saint-Honoré, so you can easily make it part of a luxurious shopping day.
House history: Founded in 2007 by Clara and John Molloy, Memo Paris treats fragrance as a journey. Each perfume represents a destination, turning scent into travel. African Leather is one of their most beloved, evoking the vast landscapes of Africa with spice and warmth.
Memo Paris
24 Rue Cambon · 01 44 54 91 72
4. Frédéric Malle – Portrait of a Lady
An icon in the perfume world. Portrait of a Lady combines rose, patchouli, and incense into a seductive and unforgettable fragrance.
House history: Frédéric Malle revolutionized perfumery when he launched Editions de Parfums in 2000. Instead of hiding the perfumers behind marketing campaigns, he put their names on the bottles-celebrating them as true authors. Portrait of a Lady was created by Dominique Ropion, one of the greatest “noses” of our era.
Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle – Boutique Paris 1er
10 Rue Cambon · 01 42 33 40 92
5. Essential Parfums – Divine Vanille
Not your average vanilla-it’s spiced, smoky, and layered with tonka bean and cinnamon. A gourmand fragrance with sophistication.
House history: Essential Parfums was founded in 2018 with a mission to bring luxury perfumery at accessible prices, focusing on sustainability. They collaborate with renowned perfumers like Olivier Pescheux and Nathalie Lorson, giving them free creative rein.
Essential Parfums
182 Bd Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris
6. Marc-Antoine Barrois – B683
Leather, violet leaf, and sandalwood create a scent that is masculine yet poetic. B683 feels like an old-world gentleman’s library wrapped in soft suede.
House history: Marc-Antoine Barrois is a French fashion designer who extended his artistry into fragrance. Partnering with perfumer Quentin Bisch, they launched B683 in 2016, named after Barrois’s birthdate. It became an instant cult hit.
Or try: Ganymede, an airy suede scent with mineral freshness, also by Quentin Bisch.
MARC-ANTOINE BARROIS
13 Gal Véro-Dodat · 09 83 22 11 13
7. Molinard – Habanita
A smoky-floral classic blending powdered leather, vetiver, and raspberry-Habanita has been captivating wearers since 1921.
House history: Molinard is one of the oldest French perfume houses, founded in Grasse in 1849. Known for craftsmanship and innovation, they were pioneers in using lavender and creating refillable bottles. Habanita was originally marketed to scent cigarettes, later becoming a women’s perfume beloved for its boldness.
Molinard Paris 1er
270 Rue Saint-Honoré · 09 70 72 72 71
8. Buly 1803 – Rose de Damas
A lush damask rose as rich as the store’s antique decor. Visiting Buly is an experience in itself, with its apothecary-style boutique full of calligraphy, marble sinks, and personalized labels.
House history: Founded in 1803 by Jean-Vincent Bully, revived in 2014 by Ramdane Touhami and Victoire de Taillac, Buly 1803 blends 19th-century charm with modern luxury. Every purchase feels like a gift from another era.
Officine Universelle Buly 1803
6 Rue Bonaparte · 01 43 29 02 50
9. D’Orsay – Tonka Hysteria
Warm, nutty tonka bean with a playful gourmand twist, Tonka Hysteria feels like cozy indulgence.
House history: Alfred d’Orsay, a 19th-century dandy and artist, gave his name to this brand, which was originally launched in 1830. Recently revived, the house pays tribute to dandyism and timeless elegance with contemporary creativity.
Maison D’ORSAY
44 Rue du Bac · 01 43 25 57 02
10. Pierre Guillaume – Le Musc et la Peau
A “your skin but better” scent-clean, musky, and sensual. Perfect if you want a fragrance that feels intimate and close.
House history: Pierre Guillaume is a self-taught French perfumer who started experimenting at 25. His brand is admired for its creativity and independence, with perfumes that push boundaries while staying wearable.
Pierre Guillaume
13 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau · 01 45 08 46 17
11. BDK Parfums – Gris Charnel
Fig, black tea, and sandalwood-Gris Charnel is cozy yet mysterious, like a late-night conversation in a Parisian café.
House history: Founded in 2016 by David Benedek, BDK is inspired by Parisian neighborhoods and storytelling. Gris Charnel reflects the city’s chic and enigmatic side.
BDK Parfums
312 Rue Saint-Honoré · 01 88 61 35 17
12. Serge Lutens – Iris Silver Mist
Earthy, powdery iris with a poetic melancholy-a perfume that feels like French literature in a bottle.
House history: Serge Lutens is a visionary designer and photographer who entered perfumery in the 1990s. His perfumes, created with perfumer Christopher Sheldrake, are often avant-garde and artistic, making his Palais Royal boutique a must-visit.
Serge Lutens
324 Rue Saint-Honoré · 01 81 69 47 34
13. Histoires de Parfums – Ambre 114
Golden amber wrapped in vanilla and spices-warm, resinous, and addictive.
House history: Founded by Gérald Ghislain, Histoires de Parfums tells stories through scent, each creation inspired by historical figures, eras, or emotions. Ambre 114 is a tribute to one of perfumery’s most beloved notes.
Histoires de Parfums
11 Rue du Roi Doré, 75003 Paris
14. Nishane – Fan Your Flames
Coconut, rum, and tobacco-a tropical escape in the middle of winter. Bold, exotic, and unforgettable.
House history: Based in Istanbul, Nishane is the first niche perfume brand from Turkey with global acclaim. Known for daring, long-lasting fragrances, Nishane bridges East and West beautifully.
NISHANE
266 Rue Saint-Honoré · 09 86 13 35 25
15. L’Artisan Parfumeur – Fou d’Absinthe
Green, herbal absinthe with blackcurrant-daring, intoxicating, and very French.
House history: Founded in 1976 by chemist Jean Laporte, L’Artisan Parfumeur was one of the pioneers of niche perfumery. Their boutique on Rue de l’Amiral de Coligny near the Louvre is legendary.
L’Artisan Parfumeur St Honoré
209 Rue Saint-Honoré · 01 86 69 64 02
16. Fragonard – Fleur d’Oranger
Sunny and joyful, like strolling through an orange grove in Provence.
House history: Founded in 1926 in Grasse, Fragonard remains family-owned. The brand is known for its affordability, accessibility, and cheerful boutiques. Fleur d’Oranger is one of their most beloved fragrances, and they also offer fun gift sets.
In the perfume world, this is the reference for what an orange blossom perfume should smell like, and many brands will use the scent profile to create their own versions!
Or try: Patchouli, earthy and bohemian-chic.
Fragonard Boutique Francs Bourgeois
51 Rue des Francs Bourgeois · 01 44 78 01 32
Final Thoughts: Bringing Paris Home in a Bottle
Shopping for perfume in Paris is an experience you’ll treasure long after your trip. Each scent carries with it a piece of the city’s artistry and history-whether it’s the smoky mystery of Serge Lutens, the joyful simplicity of Fragonard, or the travel-inspired dreams of Memo Paris.
It’s a great way to have a memory, a real souvenir that will be useful and tells a story of your trip every time you use it!
So when you’re asking yourself “What perfumes should I buy in Paris?”, remember that the answer depends on your personality, your memories, and the story you want to tell through scent. Paris offers the world’s greatest perfumed playground-all you have to do is follow your nose.
Coming to Paris?
If you’ll be here solo, join me for a full-day fun tour to get the lay of the land and dive into your passions at your own pace. We’ll hang out, I’ll show you hidden gems around your hotel and beyond, so you can navigate the city confidently.
See more here: myparisianlifeshop.com
Read more about Paris perfumes here: myparisianlife.com/category/paris-perfumes/