Photo: Diptyque
To the untrained nose, candle shopping in Paris might seem like a no-brainer. But with so many diverse and intoxicating scents to sniff, from honeyed tobacco to Mexican orange blossom, it’s difficult to know where to begin. Here’s a handful of our top recommendations for where to shop for candles in Paris, so you can come up smelling of roses (or maybe lavender – whatever your preference).
Where to Shop for Candles in Paris
Photo: Elizabeth Gourd
L’Atelier de la Bougie
Not so much candlemaker as candle collective: L’Atelier de la Bougie is a one-stop-shop for the coolest bougies (candles) in town. This discerning boutique in Montmartre exhibits a diverse and innovative selection of natural wax and soy candles, including niche brands produced in France such as Kerzon, Made in Paris and Moamo. You’ll find every imaginable fragrance here, from the essence of well-heeled Place des Vosges to the earthy and fruity aromas of Merlot wine. Staff are highly knowledgeable and keen to advise, which doesn’t hurt – the selection is overwhelming. You’ll have plenty of festive candles for your grand apartment and for gifting friends and family.
L’Atelier de la Bougie, 5 Rue des Trois Frères, 75018 Paris
Diptyque
Photo: Diptyque
A household name in the world of luxury scented candles, parfumier Diptyque are well-versed in creating beautiful fragrances which are delicate yet complex. Visit their original boutique in Saint-Germain where they have been since 1961, and you can buy their first ever candle, Aubépine. It’s a well-rounded scent, sweet but fresh with notes of almond and vanilla, available exclusively in store. The 46 assorted fragrances are grouped by category – floral, herbaceous, fruity, spiced, and woody – each with their own seasonal appeal. Don’t worry though, the only wrong choice here is to leave empty-handed.
Diptyque, 34 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75005 Paris
Mad et Len
Photo: Mad et Len
You’d be forgiven for not recognizing Mad et Len as candlemakers from their minimalist store in Galerie Vivienne. This voguish Spartan interior reveals only blackened iron pots along a workbench, which inside contain artisanal vegetal candles featured at Paris Fashion Week and in GQ. The fragrances themselves are equally austere, you won’t find any saccharine fruits or artificial florals here. Instead, think more savory and mineral – elemental, even, with scents of fire and earth and volcanic rock. Their signature black metalwork is an investment: you can refill them and reuse around the home and they are authentic, sustainable and impossibly chic.
Mad et Len, 27 Galerie Vivienne, 75003 Paris
Maison Trudon
Photo: Maison Trudon
Known as the oldest candlemaker in Paris, Maison Trudon has royal connections to the court of Louis XV and its experts understand the historic art of candling like no other. Their original, Left Bank boutique is an aristocratic display of stately wax busts and royal blue or mossy-green glass votives emblazoned with a signature golden crest. Classical music plays majestically in the background as you breathe in the scents of woody cognac, tea and vetiver, and Versailles’ wooden floors.
Maison Trudon, 78 Rue de Seine, 75006 Paris
L’Artisan Parfumeur
Photo: L’Artisan Parfumeur
A niche perfume house with a distinctive creative vision, L’Artisan Parfumeur, is responsible for a refined selection of candles which are well-balanced yet precise. There’s no mistaking their exquisite orange blossom or wild blackberry, each smells exactly as it should. Other fragrances include amber with notes of patchouli and tonka beans, and the gently intoxicating tea and spiced bread. L’Artisan Parfumeur has a couple of locations around Paris, but their Saint-Germain store is open daily.
L’Artisan Parfumeur, 167 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris
Want more useful hints and tips on shopping in Paris? Try one of our exclusive private shopping tours offering expert advice which can be tailored to suit your needs.
