10 Best Fragonard Fragrances to Bring Back from France
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If you’re planning a trip to France, don’t leave without visiting Fragonard. This iconic French perfume brand has been crafting beautiful fragrances since 1926. It began in Grasse, the perfume capital of the world, as a small artisan perfumery. Today, Fragonard continues to produce its fragrances along the French Riviera with the same family-led heritage and attention to Provençal culture.
There’s nearly a century of savoir-faire in each and every Fragonard scent from its classics collection to newer releases like the highly anticipated Flower of the Year (spoiler: this year it’s the lemon blossom!).
You don’t have to travel to the South of France to get a whiff of Fragonard’s perfumes (although it’s the perfect excuse if you need one). The brand has a strong presence in Paris with boutiques all over the city and a museum located in the Opéra Garnier quarter.
Fragonard perfume maker, Jean-François Costa, opened this second perfume museum in 1984 to complement the original in Grasse. Both amateur perfume lovers and connoisseurs can discover the history of perfume from Antiquity to the present day.
The museum also has a boutique that carries Maison Fragonard’s entire collection, including perfumes, eaux de toilette, soaps, candles, diffusers, cosmetics, shower gels and gift boxes.
With so many exquisite scents to choose from, you might need some guidance on choosing your signature. That’s where this guide comes in. Here are the 10 best Fragonard fragrances to bring back from France.
10 Best Fragonard Fragrances
1. Étoile
Étoile (French for “star”) is undeniably one of the most popular perfumes from Fragonard. It opens with sparkling notes of bergamot, apple and ginger. The heart reveals florals like gardenia, lily of the valley and jasmine, that rest on a warm base of amber and cedarwood.
It’s fresh, natural, and a staple for warm summer days. Many say it’s reminiscent of Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana, only more natural and long-lasting (not to mention, less expensive).
Like many of Fragonard’s signature scents, Étoile comes in several concentrations: parfum, eau de parfum, and eau de toilette. The more concentrated, the longer it lasts, so the less you’ll need to apply.
Read More: 20 Best Summer Perfumes that Will Transport You to Paradise
2. Belle de Nuit
Another one of the most iconic Fragonard fragrances, Belle de Nuit is an opulent harmony of flowers and fruit layered over a warm, velvety base of musk. It incorporates notes of mirabilis flower aromas, violet, geranium and rose, as well as juicy hints of plum.
Belle de Nuit is part of Fragonard’s Pouches Collection, a selection of fragrances presented in beautifully decorated cotton drawstring pouches. Perfect for gifting (or keeping for yourself).
You can find Belle de Nuit in various forms, including parfum, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, and even shower gel and body lotion. That’s how popular it is!
3. Diamant
Diamant is as dazzling as its name sounds, leaving a luminous trail of desire behind all those who wear it. This sweet-oriental fragrance has top notes of mandarin, orange and pepper, balanced by rose, jasmine and plum as middle notes, on a background of vanilla, patchouli, musk and caramel.
It comes in several formats, but the eau de toilette is perfect if you fall in love with this fragrance. Since the bottle is refillable, you can top it up with the 600ml refill cans that they sell in France. Not only is it a small gesture for the planet, but it’s about half the price per ml compared to buying the EDT bottle again.
4. Belle Chérie
Belle Chérie is my personal favorite fragrance from Fragonard, and not just because its name is so similar to my blog! It truly smells incredible.
This scent is a delicate bouquet of flowers, fruits, and wood. It features top notes of tangerine and star fruit, middle notes of jasmine, heliotrope and lily-of-the-valley and base notes of sandalwood, tonka bean and vanilla.
Overall, it’s a very fruity, cheerful fragrance that’s light enough for daytime.
Belle Chérie was the first perfume I bought while studying in Paris back in 2017. It still conjures up happy memories of exploring the city, and eventually finding the inspiration to move to France full time.
5. Émilie
A luminous, floral fragrance, Émilie blends tangy notes of bergamot and lemon with a bouquet of rose, jasmine and violet and a warm base of sandalwood and amber.
It has a soft, powdery smell that gives it a vintage vibe. If you love YSL Paris, this one will feel familiar in the best way: refined and ever-elegant.
The Émilie parfum comes in Fragonard’s signature golden aluminum bottle, which have an interesting history themselves. During World War II, a shortage of glass led Fragonard to turn to aluminum. Not only was it practical at the time, but it also protects the fragrance from light and as a result, extends its lifespan.
Read More: The 16 Best Spring Perfumes, from Fresh to Floral
6. Fleur d’Oranger
Fleur d’Oranger is one of Fragonard’s best-loved fragrances, so much so that the brand expanded it into a full collection, including perfumes, soaps, lotions, home diffusers and more.
Orange blossom has long inspired perfumers, and Fragonard captures it here in a way that’s fresh and softly floral. Tender neroli blossom joins with bergamot, jasmine and musk for a scent that’s light, luminous and quietly sensual.
An elegant choice for the summertime, whether you're in the South of France or simply dreaming of it.
7. Jasmin Perle de Thé
Part of the Fragonard’s Garden collection, Jasmin Perle de Thé (French for ”jasmine pearl tea”) is no doubt one of the most popular fragrances in the line. It was created to evoke the feeling of relaxing in an Andalusian garden, savouring a green tea amongst blooming jasmine. It’s a fresh, feminine and fitting for a warm spring day.
You can enjoy this fragrance as a perfume or why not try it in soap form. Soapmaking is a time-honored tradition in Provence, and Fragonard carries it on with all of their beautifully crafted soaps in a variety of scents (including Jasmin Perle de Thé). Many of their soaps are part of sets with matching soap dishes too. They make lovely gifts from France, and even if you don’t use bar soap, the dishes double as trinket trays.
8. Grain de Soleil
Grain de Soleil is one of three fragrances in Fragonard’s Exceptional Fragrances collection, alongside Soleil and Cœur de Soleil, where each scent is inspired by the sun. The bottles have a very nostalgic, 90s feel that reflects the decade in which the line was launched.
An alluring concoction of rose, iris and jasmine enhanced by cinnamon, amber, vanilla and incense, Grain de Soleil is a true oriental fragrance. Despite the sunny name, Grain de Soleil is probably the best Fragonard scent for fall and winter. It has a warmth and spiciness to it that feels cozy, sensual and perfect for cocooning season.
Read More: 15 Best Winter Perfumes for a Warm and Cozy Season
9. Lilas
Every year since 2010, Fragonard has released a Flower of the Year perfume. In 2024, it celebrated the lilac with its Lilas fragrance. Though it’s one of the newer additions to the Fragonard lineup, it has quickly become a fan favorite. That might have something to do with its creator, the renowned French perfumer Aurélien Guichard.
A symbol of springtime, Lilas is fresh, green and delicately powdery. Its floral heart is laced with spices, while base notes of vanilla and musk pay homage to this opulent flower’s warm and sensual side.
If you're curious about this year's flower, check out Fleur de Citronnier for a zestier scent that’s just right for summer.
10. Belle de Grasse
As I mentioned, Fragonard is deeply rooted in the Provençal way of life, and its Flowers of the Perfume collection pays tribute to the scents of the region.
My top pick has to be Belle de Grasse, a sun-drenched scent that’s cheerful and made for summer. It starts with the crisp green freshness of violet leaves and a splash of bergamot, revealing a heart of mimosa absolute, orange blossom, and lilac. The base of heliotrope is enriched with an intense musk.
You can also purchase Belle de Grasse in hand soap and even perfumed guest towels, so your home can smell like the South of France, too.
Where to Buy Fragonard Perfume
You can buy Fragonard perfumes directly from their official website, at their boutiques, or through authorized retailers.
Fragonard has several shops throughout the South of France (including in Grasse, Èze, and Cannes) as well as in Paris. Most stores are in France, with the only international boutique located in Milan. Unfortunately, there are currently no Fragonard stores in the U.S.
In Paris, you can also find their products at major department stores like Le Bon Marché and La Samaritaine, and the Aéroport Roissy–Charles de Gaulle.
In the U.S., Fragonard fragrances are available on Amazon and Walmart too.
Read More: The 15 Best Beauty Stores in Paris
Final Thoughts on Fragonard Fragrances
I hope this list helps you find your next favorite Fragonard perfume. Ultimately, the best Fragonard fragrance is the one you love the most. These are some of the most popular scents, but they have plenty more worth sampling.
That being said, if you aren’t sure which fragrance to buy, Fragonard sells a fragrance set with mini samples of their bestsellers inside. I bought this exact one before committing to Belle Chérie on my first trip to France. It’s a great way to test different scents and see how they wear on your skin throughout the day.
Beyond perfume, Fragonard also offers home linens, embroidered pouches, bags, clothing, and skincare. They make equally thoughtful souvenirs too.
What is your favorite Fragonard fragrance? Let me know in the comments below.
