Oriza L. Legrand: This Parisian perfume house revives fragrances from centuries past

What perfume did people wear under Napoleon? Which scents turned heads during the Belle Époque? At Oriza L. Legrand, these questions have found a rather delightful answer, just a few steps from La Madeleine. Founded in 1720, the house is bringing fragrances inspired by its archives back into fashion, with a particular fondness for eras when people spared no expense on either powders or elaborately crafted bottles.

Its story begins with Fargeon Aîné, perfumer to the court of Louis XV. The house would go on to serve successive monarchs, including Napoleon and Joséphine, before enjoying huge success in the 19th century. Its name, incidentally, refers to Oryza sativa, the rice used in the powders and beauty preparations of yesteryear. After fading from view for several decades, two enthusiasts, Hugo Lambert and Franck Belaiche-Bonniot, revived the venture in 2012.

Today, at 34 bis rue Vignon in the 9th arrondissement, visitors can discover this remarkable olfactory repertoire. The names of the creations set the tone: Violette du Czar, Rêve d'Ossian, Relique d'Amour and Empire des Indes. Incense, powdery florals, amber notes and more oriental accords make up a collection that stands apart from the perfumes you smell everywhere.

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The aesthetic of the bottles and packaging extends this taste for bygone centuries, with references to the decorative arts and traditional perfumery. The house also brings its distinctive world to soaps, candles, eaux de Cologne and home fragrances. So you can take home a little piece of this history without necessarily leaving with a large bottle.

The pleasure lies above all in discovering scents that seem to have escaped from another era. And some could well put today’s perfumes to shame!