France is a country renowned for its romance, art, and exquisite cuisine. Beyond these cultural touchstones, the country is also globally renowned for its beauty, fashion, and luxury goods, housing brands that have set trends and held a high place in the luxury market for centuries.
At the heart of this legacy lies Grasse, the world’s fragrance capital. Iconic French fragrance brands, such as Chanel, Dior, Guerlain, and many more, were the product of this rich culture and heritage. This article will highlight the best fragrances from these and other prominent French houses, helping you pick out the French masterpiece that suits you best.
For Her:
1. Guerlain Mon Guerlain EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Guerlain |
| Best for | Women |
| Fragrance Family | Amber Woody |
| Notes | Top: Lavender and Bergamot Middle: Iris, Jasmine Sambac, and Rose Base: Tahitian Vanilla, Coumarin, Australian Sandalwood, Benzoin, Licorice, and Patchouli |
| Release year | 2017 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Thierry Wasser and Delphine Jelk |
Guerlain stands as one of the oldest perfume houses in the world, dating back to 1828. Guerlain has created some of the most iconic and beloved fragrances in history. From its classic Shalimar (which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year) to the modern La Petite Robe Noire.
Mon Guerlain is a modern amber fragrance that is feminine and mesmerizing. This fragrance uniquely blends lavender and vanilla, making a versatile fragrance that you can wear through the day, no matter what you have planned. It’s a plus that this fragrance is an ultimate compliment getter.
2. Frederic Malle Portrait Of A Lady EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Frederic Malle |
| Best for | Women |
| Fragrance Family | Amber Floral |
| Notes | Top: Rose, Clove, Raspberry, Black Currant, Cinnamon, and Red Berries Middle: Turkish Rose, Patchouli, Incense, Sandalwood, and Ylang-Ylang Base: Incense, Sandalwood, Musk, Benzoin, Amber, Cedar, Ambergris, and Vanilla |
| Release year | 2010 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Dominique Ropion |
Frédéric Malle is a fragrance house that puts the perfumer at the forefront. Founded in 2000, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle collaborates with some of the world’s most talented perfumers, giving them complete creative freedom to craft scents. This approach has resulted in a collection of highly original fragrances.
Portrait of a Lady is dominated by a rich Turkish rose accord. The fragrance is deepened with notes of patchouli, incense, and spice. The overall effect is very elegant. Many who have tried this scent have described it as a romantic scent, making it the perfect date night perfume.
For Him:
1. Hermes Terre D’Hermes EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Hermes |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Woody Spicy |
| Notes | Top: Orange and Grapefruit Middle: Pepper, Pelargonium, and Flint Base: Vetiver, Cedar, Patchouli, and Benzoin |
| Release year | 2006 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Jean-Claude Ellena |
Hermès is a French luxury house that runs on high-quality materials. Originally established as a harness workshop in 1837, Hermès has expanded into a range of luxury goods, including leather goods, fashion, and fragrances.
Terre d’Hermès is a woody and earthy fragrance that reflects masculinity and nature. There is something incredibly grounding about this perfume. The prominent notes of orange, grapefruit, and vetiver create a refreshing, earthy scent. This is also known to be one of the longest-lasting men’s perfumes.
2. Chanel Bleu De Chanel EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Chanel |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Woody Aromatic |
| Notes | Top: Grapefruit, Lemon, Mint, Bergamot, Pink Pepper, Aldehydes, and Coriander Middle: Ginger, Jasmine, Nutmeg, and Melon Base: Incense, Amber, Cedar, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Amberwood, and Labdanum |
| Release year | 2014 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Jacques Polge |
Chanel is a brand that goes hand in hand with French luxury. Founded by Coco Chanel in 1909, the brand revamped the fashion world by introducing a new and unique, elegant aesthetic. Chanel perfumes are legendary, with iconic fragrances like Chanel No. 5, AKA the only thing Marilyn Monroe wears to bed.
Bleu de Chanel is a fragrance that almost every man has bought at least once throughout their life. This woody aromatic fragrance has a fresh and clean opening, followed by a warm and sensual dry down. This icon has been replicated by many brands, making it a very popular signature fragrance profile amongst men.
Unisex:
1. Diptyque Eau Capitale EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Diptyque |
| Best for | Unisex |
| Fragrance Family | Chypre Floral |
| Notes | Top: Pink Pepper and Bergamot Middle: Rose Base: Patchouli |
| Release year | 2019 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Olivier Pescheux |
Diptyque is a Parisian fragrance house that creates artistic candles, perfumes, and body care products. Founded in 1961, Diptyque scents are often inspired by nature, travel, and the arts. With a focus on quality ingredients, Diptyque has grown to become a brand with a niche cult following.
Eau Capitale captures the spirit of Paris. This scent has a balanced composition, with a focus on rose, patchouli, and pink pepper. The overall scent is sensual and unique. If you’re a niche fragrance lover and are looking for a scent that stands out, look no further. This is the one.
2. Dior Oud Ispahan EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Dior |
| Best for | Unisex |
| Fragrance Family | Amber Spicy |
| Notes | Top: Labdanum Middle: Rose, Patchouli, and Saffron Base: Agarwood (Oud), Sandalwood, and Cedar |
| Release year | 2012 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | François Demachy |
Dior, founded in 1946 by Christian Dior, is a French luxury brand of haute couture, ready-to-wear fashion, leather goods, accessories, and fragrances. Dior perfumes include iconic scents such as Miss Dior and J’adore, which are among the best-selling designer fragrances.
Oud Ispahan is a luxurious fragrance that blends amber and floral notes. This unisex scent showcases the oud accord in a unique way. Oud is balanced by notes of rose, saffron, and patchouli, creating a rich and mysterious fragrance. Find all these French fragrances and more at V Perfumes, your favorite perfume shop in Dubai. Shop at the best prices in the UAE and Gulf region and don’t miss out on exclusive offers online and in-store.
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