Sunday, November 12, 2017

Le Grand musee du Parfum, Nov Paris letter, Miss Dior

Last Sunday I finally went to the new Le Grand musee du Parfum at 73, rue faubourg St.-Honoré.

Definitely a don't-miss visit if you love French perfume.

A sensory immersion discovering how and why we love perfume

Displays of celebrities from the past who influenced perfume makers and trends.
My fav, the old graphics from past French brands and bottles.

Historic illustrations of 18th century miniature perfume flacons

Currently on a show of legendary perfume bottles by designer Pierre Dinard plus the stories/sketches behind each bottle. Who knew that the red inari bottle specially designed (and rejected by Kenzo) would become the adored and celebrated Opium perfume bottle of YSL? Many secrets of the perfume trade revealed.

On the main floor two glorious shops, one for perfume books

The other a splendid cornucopia of the best French perfumes

You can test out

As you wish.

For men too...try out Boucheron's famous and costly Jar scent.

Your ticket to Le Grand musee du Parfum includes a chance to partake of atelier classes. Book online.

Leaving the museum, I waltzed down rue Saint Homoré, a string of perfume shops looking for ideas for the November Paris letter.

Inside Galignani book store, inspiration and the solution. Why not focus on Miss Dior perfume, this year celebrating its 70th anniversary?

Just across rue de Rivoli and a few blocks down a quickish run back into the Dior exhibit at musee des arts Decoratifs, (still madly mobbed and free on the first Sunday of the month).

A look again at the 'Miss Dior' flowered dress.

More Paris letter inspiration from Dior's favorite illustrator, Rene Gruau...(and mine too) with his wonderfully fluid, black ink lines.

Miss Dior perfume first appeared in 1947, capturing othe essence of maison Dior and became the fragrance of haute couture. It was named after Dior's beloved sister, Catherine, a representative of cut flowers at les Halles (mandataire en fleurs coupée) flowers she grew in Provence. Legend has it when Catherine burst into the salon unexpectedly, Dior's muse called out,
"Ah, here's Miss Dior!"
Chrisitan replied,"Miss Dior, now there's a name for my perfume!" 
FYI Miss Dior is sprinkled daily in the 30 Avenue Montaigne salon.
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There's a new bonus watercolor - a Miss Dior bottle with your name on it!
Bonne week-end PBers.

22 comments:

  1. Carolyn I4:04 AM

    Absolutely lovely !!!!!! Omg I love the Nov Paris letter! The soft colors are great!
    You are so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  2. Anonymous4:20 AM

    So interesting and so sweet and lovely about mrs Dior to dedicate his sis and to call Miss Dior a parfum

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    Replies
    1. He was very attached to her evidently.

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  3. This exhibit was just exquisite. It was so beautifully displayed. The colours, the gowns...have you seen the short Dior documentary. It was on one of my flights. I saw your article on the perfume museum- I wish I knew it had been redone.

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    1. Esme, this is a new museum just opened in May of this year.
      The Fragonard on rue Scribe is more of a shopping experience.

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  4. This is really cool! La prochaine fois? I love YSL Rive Gauche, which you cannot even get in the US any more.

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    Replies
    1. I'll have to give Rive Gauche a sniff...I never tried it!
      There are too many to try!

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  5. Donna B12:59 PM

    Nice piece on the Paris perfume museum, Carol.
    Thanks so much for sharing your adventures with us.

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  6. Love Miss Dior! This reminded me of a stop at Guerlain on the Champs-Élysées. So pretty. So interesting! Thanks for the tour!

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  7. Didn't make it to the Perfume museum so it's on the list for next trip - wish I could just pop in to the Dior exhibit as it was so spectacular.

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    Replies
    1. It is still a wall-to-wall madhouse...getting back to the perfume display was not easy.

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  8. Where else can an ordinary citizen walk the red carpet?

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    Replies
    1. You never miss a trick Jeanette!
      Always Love your insights❤️💕

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  9. How interesting! What a lovely to go to!

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  10. Thanks for a fabulous trip to Paris and the perfume museum, even if it's only and online trip. Love all the bottles and the Dior exhibition, good on you for fighting through the crowds again! Maybe I would too if I could just pop in :)

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  11. It looks wonderful, thanks for all the fabulous pictures. I think Debbie and I are going to pay it a visit when we come in Dec! Quick question, overall, I notice that there are senior citizen tickets for this museum and a few others....is this rate only for French citizens or does it include elderly tourists? (LOL). Always looking for an advantage to save more euro for mcarons!

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    1. I'm pretty sure its OK except for public transportation Cheryl

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  12. Postcards from Philly12:51 PM

    Is it my imagination or did I actually get wiffs of perfume as I read your blog?

    Very very classy, and it looks like your paris letter reflects lots of elegance, especially the image of the model.

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  13. Love this and your sense of humor....
    You have a great eye.

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