Fragonard Perfume Museum in Paris

In Paris, just a few steps away from the Palais Garnier Opera House, visit the Perfume Museum by Maison Fragonard. The famous perfumer from Grasse, France opened this museum in September 2015 to reveal the history and secrets of perfume.

Discover the stages involved in bringing perfume to life at the Perfume Museum, such as the know-how behind perfume manufacturing and the creation process involved. 

Learn about perfume production methods used by the Fragonard Perfumery in detail from start to finish: initial materials to collect, extraction, distillation, forming the product, bottling the liquid, packaging... and the importance of being a “nose” master perfumer, identifying and selecting fragrances to use.

Theatre, Velodrome, now Museum

Built in 1926, the Maison Fragonard has chosen a location that echoes the excellence of the fragrances the company produces.

The Eden Theatre used to be a showplace with exceptionally large halls and rooms. Its design was inspired by both Egyptian and Indian architecture which were in fashion at the time. The rooms featured original and luxurious decor, painted ceilings, wooden floors, romantic decorative patterns, fireplaces and chandeliers.

Later in the 19^th century however, the Eden Theatre was forced to close. It was partly destroyed, and then converted into a place where Parisians could learn how to cycle on a rotating cycling carousel. The circular track from the machine is still visible today, now accompanied by copper distillation vats and other perfume extraction equipment suspended above and around them.

“Cabinet of Curiosity”

A staggeringly large room was preserved from this era. Within lies a “cabinet of curiosity”: shelves holding various objects and raw materials previously used in perfume. Observe the orgue à parfums (“perfume organ”), a large pyramid-shaped shelving unit filled with bottles each containing a different fragrance.

Operate one of the ten interactive windows available here, showcasing around 1200 fascinating objects related to the history of the perfumery spanning 3000 years of ancestry.

In another part of the museum, behold the wonderful collection of past and present perfume bottles on display, a fantastic way to follow the history of the company all the way back from the Ancient Egyptians in the 20^th century.

Examine Fragonard’s impressive collection of perfume labels, an important packaging element that has evolved during the company’s industrialisation.

Introduction to the World of Perfume

Explore the three other rooms available at the museum. Learn the history of the Fragonard family in the first room, visit the temporary exhibition on display in the next, and last but not least, have a taste of what working in the perfume industry is like and experience first-hand how to make your own perfume in a beginner’s workshop class!

Want to keep a souvenir from your visit? Head over to the boutique, covered by a glass roof and incorporating illuminated tables to compliment the showcasing of the products made by the Maison Fragonard.

Address

Musée du Parfum Fragonard
3-5 Square de l’Opéra Louis Jouvet
75009 Paris