Buly 1803

Welcome to a beauty emporium that will transport you to another era. L’Officine Universelle Buly, originating in 1803, has been brought back to life in recent years by Ramdane Touhami and his partner Victoire de Taillac, a beauty expert.

Both their first shop in Saint Germain and their newest Haut Marais outpost are reminiscent of ancient apothecaries, featuring an array of moisturizing creams, botanical-based lotions and exotically flavored toothpastes, all elegantly displayed in hand-illustrated packaging.

Perhaps even more impressive than the bespoke products on offer is that none of them contain parabens, phenoxyethanol or silicone. Buly 1803 also create their own alcohol-free water-based perfumes, called Eaux Triples.

To complement their vast selection of beauty products, 700 in total, l’Officine Universelle Buly also stocks artisanal beauty accessories including hand-crafted Japanese combs and natural sea sponges. You can also pick up home accessories in the form of plant-based candles and stone air-fresheners. Stop in to browse at their Left Bank location, where dried flower arrangements set the mood, and stay for an Italian style coffee at Belle Époque Café Tortoni.

In addition to their latest limited edition fragrances inspired by artworks at the Louvre, Venus de Milo and Winged Victory of Samothrace included, Buly 1803 now offers Shiatsu massage treatments which will leave you floating out of the boutique.

But not before stopping at their recently opened gift wrapping atelier where you can elegantly wrap up one of their all-natural body lotions, perfumed candles or art-inspired fragrances. Each package comes with your name expertly written in calligraphy. How’s that for an added touch?

Editor’s note: Review originally published June 11, 2019, updated March 11, 2020 to reflect new offers in the boutique.