Houbigant Paris – 250 Years of Royal Perfumery, from Marie-Antoinette to Today

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.

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 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.

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.

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.