The 12 Best French Perfumes You’ll Smell All Over Paris

Perfume
Written By Lily

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french perfumes

Photo credit: Chloé

There are so many French perfumes out there, but a few stand out as the ones I smell most often in Paris. Some are global favorites, while others feel more niche, beloved mainly by French women.

When it comes to fragrance, the French tend to take a more subtle approach than we typically do in the U.S. While American trends lean heavily into sugary-sweet perfumes with big sillage, I’ve noticed that French women usually prefer something softer. The most popular perfumes in France are mostly fresh, airy, floral, and never overpowering.

In fact, many French women don’t wear perfume daily at all. But when they do, it’s often so delicately applied, you might not notice it unless you lean in.

On the metro, in boutiques, at a café, if you do catch a whiff of fragrance, chances are it’s from a French brand. That’s something I’ve consistently observed: many French people (men included) stay loyal to their French perfume brands. And with so many incredible options to choose from, who can blame them?

From the cult classics to a few under-the-radar favorites, these are the 12 best French perfumes you’ll smell all over Paris.

12 Best French Perfumes

1. Lancôme La Vie Est Belle

If you’ve ever taken the Paris métro or walked past a department store beauty counter in France, chances are you've smelled La Vie Est Belle. This floral gourmand bouquet perfume isn't girly in the way some saccharine scents can be. Instead, it’s cozy and uplifting, entwining powdery iris, earthy patchouli, and warm vanilla with spun sugar. Many younger French women wear this one, especially in cooler months when its sweetness feels comforting, not cloying.

Notes: Iris, patchouli, vanilla

What French women say: “This fragrance is a joy, what more can I say? Floral and elegant without being too overpowering.” —Sephora France

2. Guerlain Shalimar

La Petite Robe Noire might be Guerlain’s most popular scent today, but many Parisian women often reach for something more timeless and less sweet like Shalimar. The history behind this perfume is almost as incredible as its scent. Launched in 1925, Shalimar is often considered the world’s first oriental fragrance. It’s a warm, spicy scent that’s wrapped in powdery vanilla, bergamot, and smoky incense. Even if you don’t fall for the original, modern variations like Shalimar Parfum Initial or Souffle de Parfum are more wearable and just as stunning.

Nearly every French woman I know owns at least one Guerlain perfume. My French mother-in-law absolutely loves the brand and always has her bee bottles displayed in her bathroom.

Notes: Bergamot, iris, vanilla, incense

What French women say: “Shalimar has no rival, it's THE perfume, it's been MY perfume for 35 years.” —Sephora France

3. Chanel Coco Mademoiselle

While Chanel No.5 may be the house’s most iconic scent, Coco Mademoiselle is the one you’ll actually smell on the streets of Paris. I’m not exaggerating when I say, every time I step outside my apartment in Strasbourg, I notice somebody wearing it.

Maybe it's the strong sillage, or maybe it’s the fact that it’s incredibly popular in France. Either way, this warm floral blend is sophisticated, sexy and sparkling. It’s exactly what I imagine an elegant woman in her 20’s or 30’s would choose as her signature scent.

Notes: Orange, patchouli, Turkish rose

What French women say: “An eau de parfum recognizable among all, the scent is exceptional, for me the Chanel signature, fresh, elegant, does not change.” —Sephora France

4. Yves Saint Laurent Libre

You can’t spend a night out in Paris without smelling Libre at least once. It’s bold, it’s sexy, and it’s very French in that powerful-femme kind of way. Many French women rotate between Libre and Black Opium depending on the season or occasion. Unlike Black Opium, Libre has a versatility that works for daytime, too. Its mix of French lavender essence and sensual Moroccan orange blossom feels confident but still soft and wearable. Still, I’ve noticed it most at night, or in its lighter l’eau nue form for everyday wear.

Notes: Lavender, orange blossom, musk

What French women say: “This is the third time I've ordered it. I can't live without it anymore. I'd just say sensual, memorable, and bewitching.” —Sephora France

5. Chloé Chloé

Clean, floral, and classically French, this eponymous eau de parfum from Chloé is a popular pick for spring in Paris. It’s light enough to wear during the day, whether you’re heading to a museum exhibit, picnicking in a Parisian garden, or meeting a friend for apéro hour. Notes of rose are accompanied by magnolia and lily of the valley, as well as subtle intimations of warm amber and cedarwood. The result is a fragrance that’s fresh and feminine, but not overly sweet or girly.

Notes: Peony, rose, honey, cedarwood

What French women say: “Chloé is…natural, innocent sensuality. Suitable for any season or occasion, it always attracts lots of compliments. It's my favorite perfume.” —Sephora France

6. Zadig & Voltaire This Is Her!

One of the more modern picks on this list, This Is Her! by Zadig & Voltaire is rebellious, cozy, and cool, just like the brand itself. Perfumer Michel Almairac described his inspiration as “a rock band playing a wild song in a Parisian apartment,” and somehow, that’s exactly how it smells. It’s milky, slightly sweet, with a bit of a warm, woody edge.

I first tried it years ago from a Sephora sample and instantly fell in love. I’m tempted to bring it back into rotation this fall and winter. It’s like cashmere in perfume form.

Notes: Chestnut, vanilla, sandalwood, whipped cream

What French women say: “I LOVE this perfume, such a hidden gem and not a lot of people wear it. It's the perfect clean girl perfume for those who still love gourmand fragrances.” —Fragrantica

7. Hermès Un Jardin sur le Nil

Many Parisians love Hermès fragrances, especially those in the Jardin collection. Even if the iconic Birkin bag is out of reach, Hermès perfumes offer a tiny taste of everyday luxury. Un Jardin sur le Nil is one of their most popular and smells like a stroll through the island gardens on the Nile: watery, green, citrusy, and oh-so-fresh. It’s one of my favorite summer perfumes and smells especially pleasant on a hot day, whether you’re battling a heatwave in the city or sunbathing somewhere sandier.

Notes: Green mango, lotus blossom, incense, sycamore wood

What French women say: “I've been loyal to this fragrance for over 10 years. Very light, perfect for summer.” —Sephora France

8. Goutal Petite Chérie

If you’re after something fruity, fresh, and downright darling, you need to try Petite Chérie. Created in 1998 by Annick Goutal as a gift for her daughter, it’s since become one of the maison’s most popular creations. A juicy cocktail of peach and pear wrapped in rose, vanilla, and musk, it smells almost edible sans the sugary sweetness of many gourmand perfumes. There’s nothing seductive about it, making it an easy choice for a spring or summer day.

Notes: Pear, peach, rose, vanilla, white musk

What French women say: “I fell in love with this scent, sweet, enveloping, reassuring. This perfume leaves a trail in your path.” —Goutal Paris

9. Dior Bois d’Argent

While Miss Dior is an obvious crowd-pleaser, Bois d’Argent is a more niche pick with a growing cult following in France. The founding fragrance of Dior’s La Collection Privée, it’s a floral, woody silhouette infused with powdery iris, mystical frankincense, and warm woods. This unisex scent is soft yet distinctive with an understated richness that makes it especially elegant for fall and winter. Some even say it has an aphrodisiac effect (though that’s for you to determine).

Notes: Iris, cypress, myrrh, honey, amber, musk

What French women say: “Dior's iconic and captivating scent, it's THE perfume to have had at least once in your life.” —Dior

10. Sisley Izia

Known for their high-end skincare and makeup, Sisley also makes a selection of beautifully crafted perfumes. Izia is one of their most beloved scents, particularly among fans of florals. Centered around rose, it opens with sparkling aldehydes, pink pepper, and bergamot, then settles into a warm, woody-musky base. It’s both modern and feminine, a combination that the chicest of Parisians seem to pull off with ease. It’s definitely a luxury fragrance, both in price and profile, and worn by women who like to smell quietly expensive.

Notes: Rose, aldehydes, musk, amber

What French women say: “Besides the bottle which is very beautiful, this perfume is captivating with this subtle and rich rose fragrance” —Sisley Paris

11. Nuxe Prodigieux

You may recognize the scent of Nuxe Prodigieux from the cult-favorite Huile Prodigieuse, a summer beauty staple in France. This perfume captures that same solar, skin-like scent in a bottle: warm, beachy, and golden. It’s the definition of a French girl summer in fragrance form. Gorgeous creamy white floral melt into smooth vanilla and coconut milk, grounded by a soft, mineral note of pebbles (yes, really). You’ll smell it all over Paris come June, and I’ve already stocked up on the oil for my upcoming trip to Malta!

Notes: Orange blossom, magnolia, vanilla, coconut milk

What French women say: “The sweetness and warmth of summer...the intoxicating scent of this perfume is simply magical…I only use Nuxe products every day and I never get tired of them.” —Nuxe

12. Maison Francis Kurkdjian À La Rose

Although Baccarat Rouge 540 has become a viral obsession in the U.S., À La Rose is definitely more understated and more in line with what many French women actually wear. Romantic, feminine, and fresh without ever feeling old-fashioned, it’s composed of two varieties of rose: Damascus rose and Turkish rose absolute. But the rose here is delicate and sparkling, more like a dewy morning rose than a rich red bouquet. You really can’t go wrong with anything from Maison Francis Kurkdjian, but À La Rose is especially lovely for those who seek a feminine French fragrance.

Notes: Rose, bergamot, violet, cedar

What French women say: “Wonderful delicate rose. This is not a fragrance that smells like your grandma's rose water perfume. This is a rose that suits every age, is modern, clean, and delicate.” —Lucky Scent

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Final Thoughts on French Perfume

There’s no one perfume that all French women wear, but spend some time in Paris, and you’ll start to notice a distinct difference in fragrance trends. And this list of the best French perfumes shows exactly that: a preference for subtle, elegant fragrances that aren’t loud or offensive.

If you’re searching for your next signature scent, I hope you found some inspiration here. But in the end, the best fragrance of all is the one you truly love.

What is your favorite French perfume? Let me know in the comments below.

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