Laura Pearson
I'd say that around 80% of my perfume collection is made up of French perfume brands. From well-known fragrance houses such as Chanel and Dior to more niche names, including Frédéric Malle and Diptyque, the French really know what they are doing when it comes to smelling chic. Because of this, I thought it was only right that I rounded up the best French perfume brands for you to try out for yourselves.
As a beauty editor, my friends and family often ask me what fragrances I would recommend, and nearly all of them are from the below brands. Not only do all of these bottles look incredibly stylish, but the scents are just as sophisticated as you would expect. It's hard to sum up what makes these French perfumes so good, but they all have a certain je ne sais quoi that no one can resist.
So, without further ado, keep on scrolling to add a hint of Parisian flair to your perfume collection...
13 Best French Perfume Brands
1. Diptyque
First up is Diptyque. Possibly one of my favourite fragrance brands of all time, the French perfume house is known for its uber-luxurious blends. The brand was founded back in 1961, and these days you'd struggle to find a chic Parisian apartment that doesn't feature a Diptyque candle or diffuser. However, the perfumes are particularly popular thanks to the unique array of scents on offer.
Key notes: Tuberose, orange blossom, jasmine, amberwood
This is my go-to spring/summer scent, but its rich creamy nature makes it perfect for autumn, too. Rich tuberose and citrusy orange blossom are met with sensual jasmine for a beautifully balanced finish that makes this perfume ideal for both day and night.
Key notes: Sandalwood, cedar, cypress, myrtle
If earthy scents are more your thing, then I highly recommend trying Tam Dao from Diptyque. The cocktail of fresh and woody notes gives a truly intoxicating finish.
2. Chanel
This brand needs no introduction. Chanel perfumes are some of the most famous fragrances of all time, and each scent manages to embody the luxury and elegance of the brand itself. If you want to smell expensive, then I highly recommend investing in one of these French scents.
Key notes: Jasmine absolute, rose essence
My personal favourite is Chance Eau Tendre. This delicate fragrance sits beautifully on the skin, and the fruity, floral notes give it a feminine edge.
Key notes: Jasmine absolute, rose petal
For an evening scent, you can't go wrong with Coco Mademoiselle L'eau Privée. Warm, sensual notes of amber and jasmine linger on the skin all night long.
3. Dior
Another classic French perfume brand is Dior. You may know a lot of the original scents, but recently the brand has been reinventing old classics with the help of legendary perfumer and Dior perfume creation director, Francis Kurkdjian.
Key notes: Orange blossom, jasmine grandiflorum, centifolia rose absolute
White, floral notes from the iconic J'adore perfume are blended with orange blossom, jasmine grandiflorum and centifolia rose to give this fragrance a new lease of life.
Key notes: Jasmine, strawberry, amber, patchouli and cedar
Miss Dior has been in my collection for years now, so I was so excited when I heard that the brand was releasing a new version inspired by the spirit of contemporary youth. If you like sweet, floral fragrances, then this is definitely the one for you.
4. Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Yes, Francis Kurkdjian may be the creation director of Dior perfumes, but he also has his own fragrance house, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, which he founded in 2009. Baccarat Rouge 540 might be the most famous scent from the brand, but there are so many other unique fragrances on offer.
Key notes: Jasmine, saffron, ambergris, cedar wood
This is one of the most addictive perfumes I have ever come across. It has a sweet, chocolatey scent that still manages to have a deep, rich finish thanks to notes of jasmine and saffron.
Key notes: Juniper berries, coriander seeds, amber, vanilla, musk
A truly unique fragrance from the brand, Gentle Fluidity Gold, combines warm, creamy musk and vanilla with spicy coriander and fresh juniper berries. Trust me, everyone will compliment you when you wear this.
5. Serge Lutens
Perhaps a more niche French fragrance brand is Serge Lutens. I have a few of these perfumes in my collection, and they are incredibly special to me. Founded by Serge Lutens himself in 2000, each fragrance is inspired by different memories and emotions, and they are easily some of the most standout scents on the market.
Key notes: Orange blossom, jasmine of Egypt, white rose
If you're looking for a new spring perfume, you can't go wrong with Fleurs d'Oranger. It's fresh, it's floral and it's beautifully sweet.
Key notes: Mexican black vanilla, sandalwood, liquorice
Prefer warmer scents? I am obsessed with Un Bois Vanille, a creamy, comforting yet super sophisticated vanilla fragrance. We at Who What Wear UK regard it as one of the best perfumes of all time.
6. Frederic Malle
Frédéric Malle has grown in popularity in recent years, and it's not hard to see why. Malle has worked with the greatest perfumers in the world over the last 30 years and has used this knowledge to create some of the most distinctive French fragrances out there. I'm sure you've all heard of Portrait of a Lady, but there are so many different scents to explore from the brand.
Key notes: Turkish rose, patchouli, sandalwood, frankincense, blackcurrant, clove, raspberry
Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady is full of character and is bound to turn heads thanks to rich, punchy scent.
Key notes: Pimiento, angelica, juniper flowers, cedar, patchouli, vetiver, galbanum, frankincense
French Lover smells just as sexy as it sounds. There really is nothing on the market like this.
7. Yves Saint Laurent
My YSL perfumes have earned me so many compliments over the years, which is why I recommend this French perfume brand to everyone I know. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with the well-known classics such as Black Opium and Libre.
Key notes: Pear accord, mandarin essence, vanilla, orange blossom, black coffee accord, cedarwood essence, patchouli
YSL Black Opium is the ultimate date-night fragrance. Gourmand notes of coffee mix with sensual vanilla and soft orange blossom to balance out hints of cedarwood and white musk. The result is truly captivating.
Key notes: Tangerine, neroli, lavender, jasmine sambac, orange blossom, white musks, vanilla extract
The notes above may not sound like they work together, but that's what makes YSL Libre perfume so fantastic. One spritz will have you ready to stand out from the crowd.
8. Guerlain
I'll be honest, before getting into beauty, I never really knew much about Guerlain perfumes. However, over the years, I have been lucky enough to receive a few samples, and I can't believe how good they are. Not only are they stunning to look at, but the fragrances I've tried are so powerful that I truly believe they are worth every penny.
Key notes: Calabrian neroli, vetiver, basil, fig accord
Yes, this bottle is a work of art. I always have this proudly displayed on my dressing table, and the refreshing, floral scent is my go-to.
Key notes: Angelica root, vanilla, cedarwood, sambac jasmine, caraway, pink pepper, pear
Another of the brand's bestsellers is Angélique Noire. This is much more of an evening scent, with woody, spicy notes that are balanced out with warm, sweet vanilla.
9. Parfums de Marly
Another somewhat niche French brand is Parfums de Marly. Founded in 2009, the brand describes itself as "a new vision of French luxury," and I couldn't agree more. It has reinvented classic notes and brought them into the 21st century with bold combinations. If you're yet to try this brand out, I highly recommend giving the following fragrances a go.
Key notes: Turkish rose, lily of the valley, peony, lychee, rhubarb, bergamot, nutmeg, cashmere wood, musk
Delina has earned me countless compliments over the years thanks to its inviting, sweet nature.
Key notes: Balsam fir, tonka bean, cashmere wood, amber gris accord, bergamot, grapefruit, blackcurrant bud
This sparkling scent contains zesty notes of grapefruit, which are met with comforting tonka bean and cashmere wood.
10. Lancôme
Then there is Lancôme. This leading beauty brand has become somewhat of a household name over the years, and the fragrances are not to be missed.
Key notes: Pear, blackcurrant, orange blossom, jasmine, iris, praline, vanilla, tonka bean, patchouli
This is perhaps the brand's most famous scent and for good reason. The fruity, floral fragrance is so delicious it's hard not to fall in love with it.
Key notes: Raspberry, lychee, bergamot, frankincense, rose, vanilla tahitensis, patchouli, papyrus
This perfume also contains fruity, floral notes, but is offset by woody patchouli and papyrus, making it a great evening choice.
11. Nuxe
Nuxe might be best known for its skincare products, but in France, its fragrances are a pharmacy staple. Although they're affordable and easy to get hold of, their high-quality formulas and potent fragrances stand up to their more expensive counterparts.
Key notes: Orange blossom, magnolia, vanilla
A warm and creamy blend—you'll smell this all over Paris if you visit.
Key notes: Orange, petitgrain, coconut
This summery scent is like a bright and uplifting cocktail, making it the perfect escapist fragrance for autumn.
12. Maison Crivelli
Maison Crivell creates luxurious scents that are original and modern. The brand's philosophy is that every perfume is a "living experience", reminding you of memories and encounters—and it's this that gives the scents real energy.
Key notes: Hibiscus, rose, pomegranate, mint, vanilla
This scent will conjure up memories of exotic locations. It's floral, fresh and juicy all at once, and you won't have smelled anything like it.
Key notes: Red chilli, pomelo, orange, bergamot, vetiver, teak wood, myrrh
Okay, this one is probably the most unique fragrance you'll ever smell. It's fresh and fruity, but the red chilli note really brings out that zestiness, which is levelled out by the teak wood and earthy myrrh.
13. Matiere Premiere
Matiere Premiere is headed up by perfumer Aurélien Guichard (the man behind some classic scents such as Gucci Guilty, Burberry Hero and Narciso), who prides himself on cultivating his own ingredients. Each harvest of the Matiere fields goes entirely towards the production of a perfume.
Key notes: Coco powder, vanilla absolute, palo santo, musk
Matière Premiere Vanilla Powder is a sweet and cosy scent, but it's an elevated one. It smells sweet and comforting, sure, but the addition of palo santo and musk makes it deep and expensive-smelling. It's the ultimate autumn perfume.
Key notes: Rose centifolia absolute, labdanum, pepper
This scent uses roses extracted from Matiere's own organic rose farm in Grasse. It's an expensive-smelling floral rose scent with a twist of pepper and moody labdanum.
Why Are French Perfumes the Best?
The prestige of French perfumes can be attributed to the quality of ingredients used in their formulas, most of which are grown within France. The area around Grasse is known in particular for its connection to the perfume industry. Here you'll find fields of floral perfume ingredients, including lavender, jasmine, rose, mimosa and orange blossom.
The Best French Perfumers
France's long history of perfume making has meant that it's home to some of the best and most famous perfumers in the world. Perfumers such as Jacques Polge, Francis Kurkdjian and Dominique Ropion (the noses behind iconic fragrances such as Bleu de Chanel, Baccarat Rouge 540, and Thierry Mugler Alien) were all born and trained in France.
Are French Perfumes More Expensive?
Some of the most expensive French perfumes will set you back a few hundred pounds if you choose to invest in the larger size bottles. The cost is usually down to the quality and intensity of ingredients used—ingredients like oud and saffron are expensive to produce and to source. A 200ml bottle of Maison Francis Kurkdjian's Baccarat Rouge 540 will set you back £485, and you may need to spend time saving to afford a 100ml bottle of Frederic Malle's The Night (£1285).
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years— spanning skincare, makeup, hair, fragrance and nails—and work closely with trusted experts, including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
-
Warm, Sensual and Sweet—These Caramel Perfumes Practically Guarantee ComplimentsThe perfect autumn scent.
-
If You Love To Smell Clean and Expensive, You Should Probably Own One of These 7 PerfumesLuxury, bottled.
-
I Just Want to Smell Like an Expensive French Woman—This Affordable Perfume Is the SecretA luxury find without the price tag.
-
This £33 Santal Perfume Is Giving My Luxury Fragrances a Run for Their MoneyIt smells so expensive.
-
I Live for the First Gust of Crisp Autumn Air—9 Perfumes That Are the Bottled EquivalentsCool, clean and understated.
-
I'm in on the Secret—This Perfume Brand Is the Reason London's Chicest Women Smell So ExpensiveLiberty knows great fragrances.
-
15 Years Later, This "Hypnotic" Parisian Perfume Is Still My #1—Here's WhyIt's my longest-running love affair.
-
I Immediately Know You Have Great Taste If You Own One of These PerfumesThey're undeniably cool.
