Guerlain

The name Guerlain has been around since 1828, standing for bespoke fragrances. While their popular parfums can be bought around the world, here in Paris, in this little shop in Passy, you can still get a perfume designed just for you. One, that according to the in-house perfumiers, will suit your personality, your character, and express your individuality.

Once you’ve sat down with one of the knowledgeable employees in the shop, answered a myriad of questions, sniffed your way through countless aromas, and settled on your signature scent, you then get to choose a bottle for your personal fragrance.

Although founded in 1828, the Guerlain name rose to fame in 1852 when its founder, Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain, created a special scent for Empress Eugenie’s wedding to French Emperor Napoleon III.

The first bottle was decorated with bees, a symbol of the empire, and today’s bottles continue to follow that tradition. While you may not be able to put your own royal symbol on it, you can pick the color of the bottle and choose the style of the engraving on the label.

In addition to creating a custom fragrance in this gorgeous little store, you can also buy the brand’s classic scents (in stunning bottles), soaps, skincare products, and makeup. Much fun can be had testing lipsticks; an iPad lets you see what you’d look like wearing any of the colors, so it’s easy to try them all until you find the one you love.

At Guerlain, it’s all about finding the scent and colors that are just right for you. Such a luxurious and special approach, and a great souvenir, should you go for it.

Guerlain has several boutiques in Paris including a flagship store on the Champs Elysées at Nº 68 as well as locations at:

• 356 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris
• 10 Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, 75003 Paris
• 29 Rue de Sèvres, 75006 Paris
• 35 Rue Tronchet, 75008 Paris
• 93 Rue de Passy, 75016 Paris