Shopping Local with Intention: Perfume & Paris
I love shopping as part of the experience of visiting a new place. I am a lover of vintage and secondhand, and I always shop local–especially when I am in a new country. I believe that travel can –and should slow down and actually give back to the community–I want my travel to be regenerative for the places I visit.
So, I am intentional about my purchases. I make sure my money goes to a small, family or women owned business. I love supporting artisans, builders, and entrepreneurs making a difference in their communities. I wasn’t so sure if I should share this–but it’s something that I love about travel and exploring. If you travel, I imagine that at the very least you might bring a gift home from your travels for a loved one–and I would love to hear how you support local.
This article is inspired by my travels to Paris. There are so many great reasons to go to Paris—the food, the art, the effortless style of literally every single person you pass on the street. Also, the Shopping–with a capital “S”.
The last time I went to Paris, I was on the hunt for the perfect vintage Parisian “something”...and nothing says Paris like the perfect parisian fragrance. I spent hours wandering through the city’s boutiques, inhaling scent after scent, trying to find the one.
Spoiler: I never found just one. Instead, I discovered an entire world of fragrance, each bottle telling a different story, each scent capturing a different mood, a different memory, and I wanted to share part of that with you.
Where to Find Boutique Fragrance in Paris
Paris is a playground for perfume lovers, and while the big names—Chanel, Dior, Guerlain—are all worth a visit, the real magic happens in the smaller, more intimate boutiques where fragrance is treated as an art form.
1. Serge Lutens - A Study in Mystery
Tucked away in the Palais Royal, Serge Lutens feels like stepping into a secret world. The boutique itself is dark and moody, like a place where you might make a deal with a beautiful stranger who definitely has a mysterious past. The fragrances are just as intriguing—deep, complex, and often a little challenging in the best way. Think smoky incense, warm spices, and florals that don’t just whisper but demand your full attention.
2. Fragonard - Classic and Elegant
If you want something quintessentially French but not too overpowering, Fragonard is your place. Their fragrances are timeless, leaning more towards traditional florals and fresh citrus notes. It’s also one of the best spots to pick up a beautifully packaged scent for a gift—it looks like you put in way more effort than you actually did (and that’s always a win).
3. Ex Nihilo - The Future of Scent
For something ultra-modern, Ex Nihilo is pushing the boundaries of perfumery. They offer a customization service where you can tweak an existing scent to make it uniquely yours. Perfect for control freaks (like me) who love the idea of a signature scent but don’t want to smell exactly like anyone else.
4. Parfums de Nicolai - Under-the-Radar Gem
Run by Patricia de Nicolai, a member of the Guerlain family (so you know she has skills), this boutique is where you’ll find beautifully balanced fragrances that somehow feel both familiar and entirely new. It’s luxury without the pretense, and the kind of place you walk into thinking, I’ll just browse and walk out with three full-sized bottles.
5. Histoires de Parfums - A Scented Library of Stories
If you love a good story as much as a good scent, Histoires de Parfums is a must-visit. Their fragrances are inspired by historical figures, iconic years, and literary themes, making each bottle feel like a piece of art. Whether you want to smell like a famous courtesan, a 19th-century dandy, or an avant-garde artist, there’s something here for you. Their scents are rich, immersive, and designed to transport you to another time and place—because sometimes, a little escapism is exactly what you need.
Classic vs. Trendy: Where Fragrance is Going
Perfume is having a moment right now. The last few years have seen a shift away from the heavy, old-school scents our grandmothers wore (no offense, nana) toward something fresher, more personal, and sometimes even completely unconventional.
The Classics: There’s a reason Chanel No. 5 is still around—it works. Classic fragrances tend to be rich, layered, and sophisticated, with notes like rose, jasmine, vanilla, and musk that create a sense of depth and longevity. These are the scents that make you feel instantly put together, like you should be wearing red lipstick and carrying a structured handbag.
The Trends: On the flip side, newer fragrances are often lighter, more gender-neutral, and sometimes downright experimental. Notes like salt, leather, and even cannabis are popping up in perfumes that don’t follow the traditional pyramid structure (top, heart, base notes) but instead shift and evolve unpredictably throughout the day. I can’t even say half of the scent notes; how do you even pronounce oud, or styrax?
Which one is better? Neither. It just depends on your mood. Some days, you want to smell like a mysterious heiress, and other days, you just want to smell like a fresh, salty breeze off the Mediterranean.
Fragrance as a Gift—For Yourself or Someone Else
A bottle of perfume is one of the best souvenirs you can bring home from a trip. It lasts longer than a box of macarons (which, let’s be honest, you’re eating before you even get on the plane) and every time you wear it, it instantly transports you back to that moment in Paris. It’s like a memory in a bottle. It’s also a beautiful gift, just ask my partner–he loves my fragrance gifts from all over the globe.
And if you’re not traveling anytime soon? Finding a new fragrance is still an amazing way to shake things up, to give yourself a little boost, to mark a new chapter in your life. Maybe you’re starting a new job. Maybe you just went through a breakup. Maybe you just feel like celebrating yourself for no reason at all. Whatever the occasion, perfume is an easy way to reinvent yourself—or at least to smell like you did.
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