A scent that makes you live through four centuries of history? Houbigant it is. First started in 1775, Houbigant perfumes have seen (and been seen on) eminent historical figures such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Marie Antoinette, French King Louis XIV, and Queen Victoria.
Legend has it that Marie Antoinette even carried three vials of it in her corset on the way to her execution. The fragrance house has been a silent witness to the fall of empires, as well as the rise of the modern perfume industry.
It was the scent of choice for the rich and famous before fragrances such as Chanel N°5, Miss Dior, and Guerlain became du jour (of the day). The 250-year-old brand was also sported by Lady Diana at her wedding and Queen Marie of Romania.
A Legend Returns
Houbigant is currently sold in more than 400 stores worldwide, including Bergdorf Goodman, Fortnum & Mason (its largest retailer), Liberty, and Printemps. And while it can be called the genesis of modern perfumery, Houbigant has finally (re)opened its boutiques in France after more than 70 years of having no standalone stores.
May saw the opening of its first boutique in Cannes - a 1,560-square-foot behemoth boutique on the Promenade de la Croisette. A month later, in June, the house debuted another shop at Paris’ 62 Rue François 1er.
So, if you are flying to Paris or Cannes this season, these stops deserve a visit. But before you decide, here is a little more on the brand's history to help you make that choice.
The Inspiration Behind Modern Perfumery
Houbigant was the first to successfully isolate individual scent molecules from natural ingredients—most notably coumarin, extracted from the tonka bean. It was also the first to launch Fougère Royale, a scent that established an entirely new genre in perfumery — the “fougère” or fern-inspired fragrance family, which remains the most dominant category in men's fragrances to this day.
Then, in 1912, Houbigant made history again with the launch of Quelques Fleurs, the first scent featuring a multi-floral fragrance. Until then, floral perfumes typically spotlighted a single bloom or were paired with herbal notes.
Quelques Fleurs redefined floral composition, setting a new benchmark in perfumery and giving rise to an entirely new fragrance family. Its influence can still be traced in many iconic fragrances that followed.
Houbigant's Iconic Classic Fragrances
Mon Boudoir
Quelques Fleurs
Vanille Impériale
Ambre Rubis
Why You Should Pick One Up
Houbigant is the essence of quiet luxury - it’s sophisticated without screaming from the rooftops. It sets the standard for pure olfactory craftsmanship, with perfumes that are handcrafted in Grasse, France, and use fine, raw ingredients.
Owning a Houbigant is like owning a piece of history - yet it’s wearable and relevant in modern times.
