The French Fragrance Capsule: 16 Perfume Brands That Will Always Be Iconic

Key Notes: aldehydes, jasmine, neroli, and sandalwood

We're kicking things off with what could very well be known as the most famous French fragrance of all time: Chanel's N°5 Eau de Parfum. Since its creation in 1921, it has been the very embodiment of femininity, made even more so in its 1986 recomposition by perfumer Jacques Polge. Designated as the world's first abstract fragrance, it blends May rose and jasmine to form a blooming floral bouquet with a touch of smooth bourbon vanilla.

Key Notes: peony, rose, freesia, honey, and cedarwood

There's nothing more classic than a powdery fresh, floral fragrance made from a cozy blend of peony, lychee, springtime freesia, and rose. Enclosed in a modern, delicately pleated bottle with a hand-tied ribbon, this Chloé perfume is for lovers of timeless rose perfumes that evoke a free spirit, subtle sensuality, and versatility. And if that weren't already enough, it looks adorable on any vanity, bathroom counter, or shelf.

Key Notes: jasmine, magnolia, and neroli

This Dior fragrance is exactly what we would imagine the most minimalist chic fashion people wearing on the daily. Dior's simple yet innovative J'Adore Parfum d'Eau fragrance is water-based and brilliantly composed of jasmine sambac, neroli, and magnolia notes. As much as we love the brand's other more recognizable perfumes, it's this one that we truly never grow tired of no matter how many times we spritz it.

Key Notes: tuberose, orange blossom, ylang-ylang, and jasmine

If you know Who What Wear beauty editors, then I'm sure you're already aware of how much we love every single fragrance from Diptyque. Choosing just one perfume was no easy task, but this time around, we're settling on Do Son Eau de Parfum. Inspired by the childhood memories in Indochina of Yves Coueslant (one of the brand's three founders), this fragrance captures the freshness of the ocean with notes of tuberose, jasmine, and ylang-ylang found at the Haiphong market.

Key Notes: bergamot, lychee, violet leaves absolute, and oak moss

Created by perfumer Quentin Bisch, this Ex Nihilo fragrance pays homage to the bold elegance of Parisian dandies, combining notes of fresh and radiant lychee with elegant rose and violet leaf absolute. Suddenly you're met with chili pepper heat and the bite of angelica seeds before the fragrance shifts to something more earthy, a nod to the avant-garde. The end result is something ridiculously vibrant and unique.

Key Notes: grapefruit, violet, iris, vanilla, sandalwood, and musk

We're firm believers in treating yourself, and Frédéric Malle's Lipstick Rose Eau de Parfum is the perfect way to do it. A 3.04-ounce bottle of this perfume goes for $355, but the elite olfactory experience and longevity its offers makes this one completely worth reaching deeper in our wallets. Perfumer Ralf Schwieger created Lipstick Rose as an ode to the very particular smell of his mother's lipstick by combining vibrant violet, juicy grapefruit, and smooth sandalwood.

Key Notes: orange blossom, jasmine, tuberose, vetiver, and patchouli

An homage to the original L'Interdit from 1957 that is a tribute to bold femininity, this Givenchy perfume is a luminous floral fragrance balanced by quiet wood notes that add warmth and unparalleled coziness. It's composed of a white floral bouquet blended with vibrant orange blossom, making this one of our favorites to wear alone in the spring and summer months then layer with others heading into fall.

Key Notes: lemon, bergamot, jasmine, rose, incense, and tonka bean

If any French perfume could give Chanel N°5 a run for its money in terms of its famous legacy, it would be, without doubt, Guerlain's masterpiece eau de parfum, Shalimar. Inspired by the passionate love story between an emperor and an Indian princess, Shalimar, the fragrance flawlessly combines rich iris and vanilla with luminous rose and grounding tonka bean. Wear this the next time you want to smell like royalty.

Key Notes: citrus, ylang-ylang, jasmine, rose, iris, and sandalwood

French fashion house Hèrmes has a rich and decadent history of perfume making dating back decades, so it should be no surprise it made this list. Launched in 1961, this cult classic was the brand's first women's fragrance by perfumer Guy Robert. Its name refers to the horse-drawn carriages that are emblematic to the house. We love this one because it delivers the cheerfulness of citrus fruit with a chypre sillage underscored with the nobility of irises.

Key Notes: orange blossom, honeysuckle, rose, vanilla absolute, and marshmallow

Marshmallow isn't the first perfume note that comes to mind for us when we think of an elegant floral olfactory experience, but Kilian Paris's Love, Don't Be Shy definitely has us obsessed. It evokes the familiarity of first love with juicy honeysuckle and plush rose enveloped by luscious marshmallow sugar accord and an amber base. It leans more fruity than syrupy sweet, making this one ideal for anyone looking for a youthful yet elevated perfume that will never go out of style.

Key Notes: vanilla, rose, citrus, white musks, and bergamot

Although this is one of Lancôme's newer scent debuts, we're predicting it will become one of the best, most well-loved fragrances of all time. Created by three female perfumers, the ultra-sleek bottle is like a fresh floral bouquet bursting with leads of rose and jasmine but kept grounded with earthy warm additions of white musk and vanilla plus an unexpected kick of citrus.

Key Notes: juniper berries, nutmeg, coriander, musk, amber woods, and vanilla

Meet one of our favorite (and one of the newest) French perfume brands to make our list. Born in 2009, the fragrance house is the result of an epic collaboration between renowned French perfumer Francis Kurkdjian and Marc Chaya, the co-founder and president of the fragrance house. If you're on the hunt for something clean with a hint of warmth, this is about to become your new favorite.

Key Notes: lily of the valley, iris, and white musk

Maison Margiela's Replica collection of fragrances has taken the perfume industry by storm due to not only its beloved affordable price points but also its comforting scent inspirations (the fireplace, the flower market, the library, etc.) and addicting aromas. If you appreciate fresh, clean scents, you'll love Lazy Sunday Morning. It's basically your go-to set of freshly washed sheets, bottled.

Key Notes: carnation, rose, jasmine, and powdery woods

Though Nina Ricci has been owned by Spanish beauty and fashion group Puig since 1998, the brand has a historical French origin, founded by Maria "Nina" Ricci and her son Robert in Paris way back in 1932. As far as her collection of mouthwatering fragrances, you'll likely be most familiar with her apple-shaped confections, but we've been absolutely loving this one lately.

Key Notes: bergamot essence, jasmine grandiflorum, and bourbon vanilla

It's almost impossible to choose between Mugler's two most beloved scent families, Angel and Alien. We've found people live to hotly debate which camp is better, but if we had to choose, we'd be forced to go with one of the Alien fragrances (specifically Alien Goddess). Accurately described by the brand as "a divine twist on the original solar women's fragrance," the warm floral scent puts a base of vanilla in play with jasmine from India and Italian bergamot essence.

Key Notes: lavender essence, orange blossom, and musk accord

French designer Yves Saint Laurent has its fair share of cult-loved fragrances, but if we were forced to choose, our top pick would have to be Libre. Combining lavender essence from France with the sensual citrus smell of Moroccan orange blossom and musk accord, this fragrance smells as fabulous as it looks. Its gorgeous bottle is decorated with the iconic Yves Saint Laurent logo. It also happens to be refillable!