Having settled into cozy Airbnb, the clothes are unpacked, and le frigo (the fridge) is stocked with some of the essentials. My daughter and I set out to explore this charming coastal town, Menton, soaking up its beauty and character. Wandering through the streets we discovered adorable specialty shops, inviting restaurants and numerous outdoor cafes. My daughter and I decided to sign up for a perfume workshop in Nice booked through Airbnb. We were very excited to create a signature perfume. How fun would that be?
The whole city has this relaxed vacation vibe. Everywhere we went there’s a friendly welcoming energy. Passing by open doors, one can’t help but smile as storekeepers greet their guests with a warm and genuine “Bonjour.” Menton is a perfect blend of charm and tranquility.
Create a Signature Perfume
The workshop I found was three hours long and by the end of it we’d each create our very own signature perfume. Both of us are big fans of scents, the idea of crafting something uniquely ours was just too good to pass up! A custom fragrance, made by us, in the heart of the French Riviera, it doesn’t get any better.
The next day my daughter and I boarded a train to Nice for our afternoon workshop. The 30-minute train ride along the rugged Mediterranean coastline was nothing short of spectacular. We zipped past charming seaside towns, catching glimpses of red clay rooftops nestled against the lush hills and sparkling blue waters. Each turn revealed another breathtaking vista, leaving us in awe.
Arriving at the Parfumerie
After the beautiful train ride, we arrived in Nice, phone GPS on and in hand we navigated our way to the parfumerie. Like so many buildings in Nice, it was a stunning example of old-world architecture, ornate, impressive, and full of character. As we stepped into the charming lobby, we were warmly welcomed and directed to a large sunlit room. The space was elegant with high ceilings adorned with chandeliers and tall windows. We were shown to our table where a lazy Susan in the center was filled with small brown vials, each neatly labeled and numbered. Once everyone was seated, the moderator introduced herself. She had an infectious energy, relaxed, funny and clearly passionate about the art of perfume making.
She began with a fascinating history lesson, explaining how Grasse, a town near Nice became the “Perfume Capital of the World”. Back in the 16th century Grasse was renowned for its leather goods which were scented with natural fragrances to mask the unpleasant odors of the tanning process .Over time due to the region’s ideal climate for growing flowers like jasmine, roses and orange blossoms perfume making evolved into its own thriving business.
Origins of Popular Scents
Next she delved into the foundation of long-lasting scents which used to be from animal derived substances. All of these have been replaced with synthetic alternatives for ethical reasons, but their origins were captivating. We were to use one of the five as the foundation for our scent. They are as follows:
- Ambergris (Ambroxan-Synthetic): Once produced in the digestive system of the sperm whale. It offers a warm, sensual scent with earthy and musky undertones.
- Civet: Originally from the glands of the African civet cat. Its diluted form has a musky, floral warmth that adds depth to fragrances.
- Musk: Once extracted from male musk deer, synthetic musk now provides a velvety , sensual quality to perfumes.
- Castoreum: Derived from beaver castor sacs. It has a leathery, smokey with a slightly sweet aroma.
- Hyraceum (Africa Stone): The petrified excrement of the hyax, with a complex musky sweet animal scent.
As she shared these surprising origins, the room was spellbound, you could hear a pin drop. Who knew that perfume had such unexpected beginnings?
Create a Signature Perfume
Finally, it was time to create our own signature scents! She asked about our preferences such as floral, woodsy, musky, leathery and so on. She handed out guides based on our preferences which were templates with so many mixture ideas. For example, to use 10 drops of this scent and 2 of this scent and so on. Then, we were encouraged to experiment on our own and use our own measurements using some of 30 tinctures on the table. It was incredible how just one single drop could transform a fragrance instantly!
After an amazing session of blending, sniffing and tweaking we were able to name our perfume when completed. We all walked away with our own unique, deliciously scented perfumes. The entire experience was unforgettable, educational, fun and interactive. One of my favorite aspects is this shop saves your signature combination and you can order more of your perfume if you run out. How cool and what a special way to keep your perfume that you created
I can’t recommend this experience enough! If you’d like to check out the shop we went to you can find them here:
https://www.instagram.com/parfumetvous
Thanks for being here,
-Soraya
Interested in reading more about my first weeks living in France? Check out My First Week Living in France