Houbigant Paris Perfumes – the legacy of 1775

Houbigant Paris: four centuries of French perfumery

A house founded in 1775 by Jean-François Houbigant

In 1775, Jean-François Houbigant opened the boutique “À la Corbeille de Fleurs” on rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré in Paris. The house perfumed the French Court and then the crowned heads of Europe: Joséphine de Beauharnais, Queen Victoria — to whom it became a warranted supplier in 1838 — and the court of Tsar Alexander III. Acquired in 2005 by the Perris family, it presents itself today, in its official history, as the only fragrance house to have spanned four centuries. It is also a house of inventions: in 1882, Paul Parquet created Fougère Royale, the first fragrance to use synthetic coumarin, which founded the fougère family; in 1912, Robert Bienaimé composed Quelques Fleurs, the first great multi-floral bouquet.

The iconic trails of Houbigant Paris

Today's pantheon brings together Ambre Rubis, Ambre des Abysses, Vanille Impériale, Oud Or, Quelques Fleurs L'Original and Tonka Sublime — the brand's best-sellers at Soleil d'Or, spanning contemporary ambers and the founding bouquet.

The seven Houbigant fragrance collections

The house organises its range into seven lines. The Quelques Fleurs collection reinterprets the 1912 icon; the Collection Royale carries Fougère Royale and the legacy of the royal courts; the Collection Privée gathers the confidential editions. Les Matières, Les Ambres, the Collection Orientale and the Collection Côte d'Azur complete the universe.

Who should wear a Houbigant fragrance, and when?

Houbigant speaks to lovers of olfactory heritage, and most of its creations transcend gender. The floral and fougère creations are timeless; the oriental and amber ones come into their own in autumn and winter. If you love Houbigant, also explore Caron, Creed and Serge Lutens, three other houses of character at Soleil d'Or.

How to choose your Houbigant fragrance?

Hesitating between Ambre Rubis and Ambre des Abysses is perfectly normal: niche perfumery is a deeply personal affair. Our discovery box — 5 samples of 2 ml of your choice, €29 — lets you try them at home, and the Collection Hommes discovery set does the same for the men's creations. For a guided fitting, our boutique at 22 rue de la Clef in Lille welcomes you.

Houbigant at Soleil d'Or, a Lille perfumery since 1953

Founded in 1953 by Jeanne Muyllaert on the Grand'Place in Lille, Soleil d'Or is an independent perfumery handed down from generation to generation. Hubert Maes (third generation) made it a benchmark for niche perfumery; today, his daughters Victorine and Apolline Maes (fourth generation) carry on that same high standard at 22 rue de la Clef, Lille (59800).

Delivery & free in-store collection in Lille

In mainland France, Colissimo delivery is free from €49 to a pickup point and from €59 to your home. Within Europe, it is free from €99 to a pickup point and from €149 to your home, depending on the destination; we also ship internationally. Do you live in Lille or the surrounding area? Free in-store collection at 22 rue de la Clef is the fastest and most economical option. Full details on our shipping page.