Houbigant Paris – 250 years of royal perfumery, since 1775

Q: Is Houbigant truly the world's oldest perfume house?

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Q: What is Fougère Royale and why is it historically significant?

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Q: Quelques Fleurs: what is the difference between the versions?

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Q: Are there Houbigant perfumes for men?

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Houbigant Paris is the oldest perfume house in the world, founded in 1775 in Paris by Jean-François Houbigant, perfumer to the royal courts of Versailles, Russia and the United Kingdom. With Fougère Royale (1882), the maison invented the fougère family. Discover Ambre Rubis, Quelques Fleurs and Vanille Impériale at Soleil d'Or, Lille-based perfumery.

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Houbigant Paris: 250 years of royal perfumery, since 1775

From Versailles to today, the oldest perfume house in the world

Houbigant Paris was founded in 1775 by Jean-François Houbigant, who became the official perfumer of the courts of Versailles, Russia and the United Kingdom. The maison crossed three centuries while crossing the great revolutions of perfumery: in 1882, Fougère Royale invented the fougère family, a foundational accord still used today by all the great houses. Today, Houbigant Paris perpetuates this royal heritage with collections that combine respect for tradition and contemporary writing.

The maison's signature scents

The Houbigant pantheon brings together Ambre Rubis, Quelques Fleurs L'Original, Fougère Royale, Vanille Impériale and Orangers en Fleurs — a roster of signatures that bear witness to the maison's writing across centuries, from the historic Fougère Royale (1882) to contemporary creations.

Six collections to explore Houbigant Paris

The maison structures its catalogue into six complementary lines. The Quelques Fleurs Collection celebrates the iconic floral created in 1912. The Royale Collection perpetuates royal heritage. The Privée Collection gathers confidential editions. The Orientale Collection celebrates spices and resins. The Les Matières explores soliflores, and the Les Ambres deepens warm trails.

Who is Houbigant for, and when to wear it?

Houbigant Paris speaks to lovers of perfumery rich in history, who appreciate a writing rooted in heritage. The house is unisex. Floral and hesperidic creations shine in spring and summer, while oriental, ambery and woody scents come into their own in autumn and winter. If you enjoy Houbigant, you will also want to explore Caron (Parisian heritage), Goutal Paris and Lalique — three other heritage signatures at Soleil d'Or.

How to choose your Houbigant fragrance?

Hesitating between Quelques Fleurs L'Original and Ambre Rubis is natural — niche perfumery is an intimate matter. Our discovery box lets you test at home before committing to a full bottle. For an in-person experience, our boutique at 22 rue de la Clef in Lille (France) welcomes you for a guided trial with our team.

Houbigant Paris at Soleil d'Or, Lille-based perfumery since 1953

At Soleil d'Or, an independent Lille-based perfumery founded in 1953, Apolline and Victorine Maes (fourth generation of the family) and their team welcome you to discover the entire Houbigant Paris catalogue, with expert guidance and guided trials.

Free shipping & in-store pickup

We offer free shipping over €60 in mainland France, and we ship across Europe and worldwide. Live in Lille or the metropolitan area? Free in-store pickup at 22 rue de la Clef is the fastest and most economical option. Full conditions on our shipping policy page.

Questions fréquentes sur les parfums Houbigant Paris

Is Houbigant truly the world's oldest perfume house?

Yes — Houbigant was founded in Paris in 1775, making it the world's oldest perfume house to have crossed four centuries without interruption. Two hundred and fifty years of history during which Marie-Antoinette, Joséphine, Napoleon, Queen Victoria and Tsar Alexander III were among its clients. Since 2005 the house has belonged to the Perris family of Monaco, who preserve the heritage and develop a contemporary niche collection.

What is Fougère Royale and why is it historically significant?

Fougère Royale (1882) is one of the most important perfumes in perfumery history: created by Paul Parquet, it was the first fragrance to use synthetic coumarin isolated from the tonka bean, thereby inventing the fougère fragrance family — an oakmoss, lavender and coumarin accord that has inspired thousands of perfumes ever since (Drakkar Noir, Brut, Cool Water…). Without Houbigant, synthetic perfumery as we know it would not exist.

Quelques Fleurs: what is the difference between the versions?

Quelques Fleurs L'Original (1912) is the reference multi-floral bouquet — rose, jasmine, iris, violet, musk. It is available as a 250th Anniversary edition (2025), as an Extrait de Parfum, and in Collection Privée — a more concentrated, luxurious version. Quelques Fleurs Royale is a more intense, woody reformulation. Quelques Fleurs Jardin Secret is the most woody and contemporary iteration. All share the multi-floral DNA of 1912.

Are there Houbigant perfumes for men?

Yes — Duc de Vervins is the great masculine classic — a warm, enveloping aromatic woody created in 1985, available in Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette. Our Men's Collection discovery set lets you explore the house's masculine creations. The Collection Privée also includes unisex compositions like Iris des Champs and Tonka Sublime, wearable by all.

Which Houbigant to choose for a first discovery?

For a first encounter with living perfumery history, Quelques Fleurs L'Original (floral multi-bouquet, 1912) is the most iconic entry. For something more amber and modern, Ambre des Abysses or Tonka Sublime (spicy) are perfect. For men, Duc de Vervins is essential. For pure history, Fougère Royale is the founding reference. Our discovery box lets you test your selection.

Houbigant Paris – 250 years of royal perfumery, since 1775

Discover all Houbigant Paris fragrances

Some flowers

Private Collection

Royal Collection

Materials Collection

Oriental Collection

Collection
the Ambers

Houbigant Paris: 250 years of royal perfumery, since 1775

From Versailles to today, the oldest perfume house in the world

The maison's signature scents

Six collections to explore Houbigant Paris

Who is Houbigant for, and when to wear it?

How to choose your Houbigant fragrance?

Houbigant Paris at Soleil d'Or, Lille-based perfumery since 1953

Free shipping & in-store pickup

Questions fréquentes sur les parfums Houbigant Paris

Is Houbigant truly the world's oldest perfume house?

What is Fougère Royale and why is it historically significant?

Quelques Fleurs: what is the difference between the versions?

Are there Houbigant perfumes for men?

Which Houbigant to choose for a first discovery?

Houbigant Paris – 250 years of royal perfumery, since 1775

Discover all Houbigant Paris fragrances

Some flowers

Private Collection

Royal Collection

Materials Collection

Oriental Collection

Collection the Ambers

Candle Mon Boudoir HOUBIGANT

Candle Figuier Noir HOUBIGANT

Candle Tabac Nomade HOUBIGANT

Candle Ambre des Abysses HOUBIGANT

Candle Quelques Fleurs L'Original HOUBIGANT

Candle Ambre Rubis HOUBIGANT

Houbigant Paris: 250 years of royal perfumery, since 1775

From Versailles to today, the oldest perfume house in the world

The maison's signature scents

Six collections to explore Houbigant Paris

Who is Houbigant for, and when to wear it?

How to choose your Houbigant fragrance?

Houbigant Paris at Soleil d'Or, Lille-based perfumery since 1953

Free shipping & in-store pickup

Questions fréquentes sur les parfums Houbigant Paris

Is Houbigant truly the world's oldest perfume house?

What is Fougère Royale and why is it historically significant?

Quelques Fleurs: what is the difference between the versions?

Are there Houbigant perfumes for men?

Which Houbigant to choose for a first discovery?

Collection
the Ambers