French fragrances are renowned the world over for luxury, sophistication, and romance. Which French perfume brands should be on your bucket list? This is a common question for those who are interested in perfumes.
France has remained the home of several prominent perfume and fashion brands. When talking about luxury, you can never ignore France. Perfumery is an art and fragrances are a part of their culture. Numerous prominent perfumers emerge from France and people from all over the world love to wear French fragrances.
If you are in search of French perfumes that are used by most people globally, I have mentioned here some of the best fragrances from renowned French perfume brands for both women and men, let’s take a look:
For Women:
1. Chanel N°5 Parfum
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Brand | Chanel |
| Launch year | 1921 |
| Fragrance notes | Top Notes: Mandarin orange, Lemon, Neroli Middle Notes: May rose, Iris, Jasmine Base Notes: Sandalwood, Vetiver, Vanilla |
| Longevity | 8-10 Hours |
| Perfumer | Ernest Beaux |
Chanel is one of the top brands you think of when talking about French perfumes. The brand is a true embodiment of French culture and class. It offers a chic variety of outfits, accessories, and fragrances.
N°5 is one of the best-selling fragrances the brand has. Chanel’s N°5 Parfum is a floral aldehyde scent designed specifically for women. In 1921, Chanel released their iconic N°5 perfume. Aldehydes, Ylang ylang, Neroli, Bergamot, and Lemon make up the top notes. Moreover, iris, jasmine, rose, orris root, and lily-of-the-valley make up the heart notes. Apart from that, civets, sandalwood, musk, amber, moss, vetiver, vanilla, and patchouli make up the base notes.
You can also check our curated collection of the best Chanel perfumes available for both men and women.
2. Shalimar Eau De Parfum by Guerlain
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Brand | Guerlain |
| Launch year | 1990 |
| Fragrance notes | Top Notes: Citruses, Bergamot, Lemon, Cedar and Mandarin Orange Middle Notes: Iris, Patchouli, Vetiver, Jasmine and Rose Base Notes: Vanilla, Incense, Leather, Opoponax, Civet, Sandalwood, Tonka Bean and Musk |
| Longevity | 6-8 Hours |
| Perfumer | Jacques Guerlain |
Guerlain is one of the most reputed French brands we have. The brand has stunning fragrances in different varieties. Shalimar is a French perfume but it is highly loved in the Middle East as well. This Amber spicy fragrance for women impresses you with its heavenly aroma and enticing fragrance bottle.
The first iteration of Shalimar fragrance, Eau de Parfum, appeared in 1990. The top notes include citrus fruits like lemon, lime, and orange. Furthermore, the middle notes include iris, patchouli, vetiver, jasmine, and rose. And, the base notes include vanilla, incense, leather, opoponax, civet, sandalwood, tonka bean, and musk.
3. Miss Dior Eau De Parfum by Dior
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Brand | Dior |
| Launch year | 2021 |
| Fragrance notes | Top Notes: Iris, Peony and Lily-of-the-Valley Middle Notes: Apricot, Rose and Peach Base Notes: Vanilla, Musk, Tonka Bean, Benzoin and Sandalwood |
| Longevity | 5-6 Hours |
| Perfumer | François Demachy |
Get the flawless fragrance that lingers on your skin with a stunning aroma. Christian Dior is a name everyone knows! Women who prefer amber floral scents will love Miss Dior Eau de Parfum.
It began its run in 2021. The top notes include irises, peonies, and lily-of-the-valley. Moreover, the middle notes include apricots, roses, and peaches. Apart from that, the base notes include vanilla, musk, tonka beans, benzaldehyde, and sandalwood.
Also, don’t forget to check out our latest best Dior perfume collection in 2025.
4. Premier Jour Eau De Parfum by Nina Ricci
Another French perfume you will love to keep in your fragrance collection is Premier Jour. Nina Ricci is a fashion house that offers stunning varieties of fragrances, outfits, and other items.
Premier Jour has a mesmerizing floral aroma. First appearing in 2001, Premier Jour has come a long way since then. Sweet pea and mandarin orange are the top notes. Moreover, gardenia and orchids are heart notes. Apart from that, musk, sandalwood, woodsy notes, and vanilla make up the base notes.
5. Lolita Lempicka for Women by Lolita Lempicka
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Brand | Lolita Lempicka |
| Launch year | 1997 |
| Fragrance notes | Top Notes: Star Anise, Violet and Ivy Middle Notes: Licorice, Cherry, Iris, Orris Root and Amaryllis Base Notes: Vanilla, Praline, Tonka Bean, White Musk and Vetiver |
| Longevity | 4-6 Hours |
| Perfumer | Annick Menardo and Christian Dussoulier |
French fashion designer and perfumer Lolita Lempicka created several stunning masterpieces in the form of fragrances. The fragrances are quite popular because of their exquisite bottles and amazing aromas.
In the category of floral fruity gourmand, Lolita Lempicka is a must-have for any woman’s perfume collection. In 1997, this mesmerizing fragrance made its debut. Star anise, violet, and ivy make up the top notes. While, licorice, cherry, iris, orris root, and amaryllis comprise the heart notes. And, vanilla, praline, tonka bean, white musk, and vetiver form the base notes.
For Men:
1. Le Male Eau De Toilette by Jean Paul Gaultier
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Brand | Jean Paul Gaultier |
| Launch year | 1995 |
| Fragrance notes | Top Notes: Lavender, Mint, Cardamom, Bergamot and Artemisia Middle Notes: Cinnamon, Orange Blossom and Caraway Base Notes: Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Amber, Sandalwood and Cedar |
| Longevity | 4-5 Hours |
| Perfumer | Francis Kurkdjian |
Seductive, complex, and charismatic. This Jean Paul Gaultier fragrance is a stunning representation of beauty and class. The brand is famous for creating bold fragrance bottles.
Jean Paul Gaultier’s Le Male is a woodsy, spicy, ambery, fougere scent for men. When it first appeared in 1995, it was aimed squarely at men. Lavender, Mint, cardamom, bergamot, and artemisia make up the top notes. Cinnamon, orange blossom, and caraway make up the middle notes. Vanilla, Tonka bean, amber, sandalwood, and cedar make up the base notes.
2. 1 Million Eau De Toilette by Paco Rabanne
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Brand | Paco Rabanne |
| Launch year | 2008 |
| Fragrance notes | Top Notes: Blood Mandarin, Grapefruit and Mint Middle Notes: Cinnamon, Spicy Notes and Rose Base Notes: Amber, Leather, Woody Notes and Indian Patchouli |
| Longevity | 4-5 Hours |
| Perfumer | Christophe Raynaud, Olivier Pescheux, Michel Girard and Christian Dussoulier |
This French perfume stands for one in a million. Paco Rabanne has given several exotic fragrances for both men and women. Paco Rabanne’s 1 Million for Men is a Woody Spicy fragrance.
One Million debuted in 2008. Aromatic components include mandarin orange, grapefruit, and mint at the top. In addition to these, cinnamon, spicy notes, and rose make up the heart. And, amber, leather, woodsy notes, and Indian patchouli make up the base.
3. Sauvage Eau De Parfum by Dior
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Brand | Dior |
| Launch year | 2018 |
| Fragrance notes | Top Notes: Bergamot Middle Notes: Sichuan Pepper, Lavender, Star Anise and Nutmeg Base Notes: Ambroxan and Vanilla |
| Longevity | 6-8 Hours |
| Perfumer | François Demachy |
Christian Dior creates sensual fragrances that are highly loved all over the world, especially in the Middle East.
Dior’s Sauvage for Men is an aromatic fougere perfume. Sauvage was released in 2018. The fragrance opens with bergamot from Calabria and pepper. It then moves through a heart of Sichuan pepper, lavender, pink pepper, vetiver, patchouli, geranium, and elemi. Finally, the scent settles on a base of ambroxan, cedar, and labdanum.
You can also explore our best Dior perfume collection in 2025.
4. Bleu de Chanel by Chanel
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Brand | Chanel |
| Launch year | 2010 |
| Fragrance notes | Top Notes: Grapefruit, Lemon, Mint and Pink Pepper Middle Notes: Ginger, Nutmeg, Jasmine and Iso E Super Base Notes: Incense, Vetiver, Cedar, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Labdanum and White Musk |
| Longevity | 4-6 Hours |
| Perfumer | Jacques Polge |
This fragrance has no competition. Chanel is the name everyone loves to wear. This fragrance for men is a true fashion statement.
Bleu de Chanel, created by Chanel, is a woody aromatic scent for men. When Chanel released Bleu de Chanel in 2010, it changed the world. Grapefruit, lemon, mint, and pink pepper make up the top notes. While, ginger, nutmeg, jasmine, and Iso E Super make up the heart notes. And, incense, vetiver, cedar, sandalwood, patchouli, labdanum, and white musk make up the base notes.
5. Gentleman Eau De Parfum by Givenchy
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Brand | Givenchy |
| Launch year | 2018 |
| Fragrance notes | Top Notes: Black Pepper, Lavender and Bergamot Middle Notes: Orris, Cloves and Cinnamon Base Notes: Black Vanilla Husk, Tolu Balsam, Tonka Bean, Benzoin and Patchouli |
| Longevity | 6-8 Hours |
| Perfumer | Olivier Cresp and Nathalie Lorson |
Givenchy’s Gentleman Eau de Parfum is an aromatic woody scent for men. The year 2018 saw the introduction of this sensual fragrance. Black pepper, lavender, and bergamot make up the top notes.
In addition to these, orris, cloves, and cinnamon make up the heart notes. Apart from that, black vanilla husk, tolu balsam, Tonka bean, benzoin, and patchouli make up the base notes. This Givenchy fragrance has notes that build up confidence in you.
These were not the only collections we had for men. You can check out our exclusive perfume collection for men here.
If you live in the UAE or GCC region, V Perfumes offers an extensive selection of niche and designer French fragrances. Our website makes it easy to search and shop for the latest releases.
