The Museum entrance is a rather unassuming entryway from the street, but surprises are in store for you once inside.
On this last trip to Paris, I wanted to visit places I’ve not seen before and explore some of the things that are uniquely associated with France. On my list this time was a stop at Le Grand Musée du Parfum to learn more about the history of perfume and explore the myriad of scents that are used in creating perfume — and to determine more of what I like in a fragrance for me.
This Grand Museum of Perfume is a world of sensation, emotion and enjoyment. It opened in December 2016, and it isn’t the first perfume museum in the city, but it is one of the most expansive, with high-tech sensory exhibits unlocking 60 different scents, designed to help you better understand the history of perfume as well as your own sense of smell. It is housed in a 19th-century mansion at 73 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, superbly set on a street synonymous with luxury and genteel French art de vivre.
It offers an original, educational, entertaining and immersive experience to help visitors understand the world of perfume and unravel its many mysteries. Through a series of exhibits the museum seeks to answer questions like these: What is the first perfume known to mankind? How do master perfumers create fragrances? How are sense of smell and emotions connected?
The world of fragrance is presented in three distinct sections in interactive, sensory displays. The first was Perfume Stories and Histories, beginning with the Art of Seduction from stories of famous couples in history.
Then you move on to Sensory Immersion, where you are invited to reconnect with your sense of smell via a variety of enlightening assessments. Do you like the smell of freshly cut grass? Then you might like fragrance with herbal notes. Or do you prefer the warm scent of cinnamon buns baking in the oven? Then you’ll be tuned in to spice and vanilla ingredients. And finally, you learn about The Art of the Perfumer including an ingredient collection that is used in the creative process.
I’ll share more about each section in future posts to go into greater detail about this fascinating museum. The world of perfume is indeed Grand, its history long and intricate, and it has certainly been a seductive influence on the connection between men and women.
One side of my ticket for the Museum. “The memory is the perfume of the soul.”
So did I find out what I liked in my personal path of discovery? Well, that, my friends, is another post. It’s coming soon, along with peak into a most unique parfumerie shop in Paris owned by a most delightful character.
That looks like so much fun. I love places like that. Can’t wait to read about what you liked in your personal path of discovery as well as being introduced to the owner of the most unique parfumerie shop in Paris.
Another thing to add to your agenda for a visit to France!
That was fascinating and I would love to go there. The closest I came was the house in New Orleans that creates (supposedly) the best scent for each person.
You would love it Martha! Sooooo interesting. And not in a bad place to visit!