A deliciously warm, sweet and slightly powdery mist rising from the cobblestones, flower stands spilling with freshly cut lilies, bustling cafés serving smoky teas, cozy boulangeries waking up the mornings with crusty baguettes, the rich wood and crystal interiors of Versailles, the endless eras of history peaking out of the Louvre, women dressed in red lipstick and a splash of No. 5… is there any wonder that Paris is one of the most sensorially indulgent cities in the world?
And know what… it’s easy to bring home a little of its magic with in the form of these enchanting Paris-inspired candles.
Diptyque 34 Boulevard Saint Germain Candle
Created to celebrate the storied candlemaker’s 50th anniversary, Diptyque’s 34 Boulevard Saint Germain encapsulates the scent of its first Parisian boutique with rare and precious fragrances that reveal themselves as fresh, green and spicy accords. Damp mosses, crumpled blackcurrant leaves, sun-dried fig leaves… so French, oui?
Cire Trudon Solis Rex Candle
Paris is known for its perfumes, its fashion, its artists, its writers… and Cire Trudon, one of the world’s oldest candlemakers. They crafted Marie Antoinette’s personal scent, so it comes as no surprise that their fragrant Solis Rex candle perfectly captures the rich polished wood floors, smoky incense and green lawns of Versailles.
Astier de Villatte Commune de Paris Glass Candle
This Paris-inspired candle is all about the city at springtime: a fragrant journey replete with notes of citrus, nutmeg and benjamin gum alongside touches of green almonds and coumarin. Not very sweet, just the right hint of green and spice. It’s my husband’s favorite!
Ladurée Caramel Candle
Hot and buttery caramel, the barest touch of salt and elegant bouquets of flowers… anyone who’s visited this cult Parisian bakery will recognise the signature aromas that waft through its Champs-Élysées flagship.
Kerzon Parc de Buttes-Chaumont
Kerzon has a whole host of famous Parisian parks in its Flâneries collection – including Jardin du Luxembourg and Tuileries Palais Royal – but my forever pick is the Parc de Buttes-Chaumont. Why? Because it’s like taking a stroll through Montmartre, which is my favorite Parisian arrondissement. It smells like cedar wood trees and sandalwood, evoking the woodsy, village feel of the real Montmartre… the one that tourists do not see. It’s the Montmartre of hidden woods, lost vineyards, shadowy bars, wooden windmills, secret gardens, dusty fountains, Picasso’s first studio, Van Gogh’s last home, Renoir’s cottage and Dali’s surreal quarters. It’s the Montmartre where I could happily live out the rest of my days.
Kerzon Paris Candle
Yes, another Paris-inspired candle from Kerzon – and this one dramatically different from the Flâneries collection. It’s a tribute to the rooftops of Paris… those magical places where the city’s chaos mutes into a pleasant buzz, coffee and cocktails flow freely, the stars form a shimmering ceiling on clear nights and sunrises and sunsets become surreal. Kerzon’s Paris candle vibes with this urban canopy by layering notes of coffee on an asphalt base that is sprinkled with morning dew. Just add a book (or a lover) and kick back!
Hôtel Costes Brown Candle
If you want your house to smell as seductive as Paris’ perennially chic celebrity hangout, pick up this musk-tinged woodsy scent, which wafts through Hôtel Costes’ sleek halls 24/7.
Ritz Paris Porcelain Candle
This is the one to bring out when you want to feel like you’ve sunk into a soft-as-butter sofa in the lobby of a slightly smoky, slightly mysterious French chateau, listening to music and having a glass of Pinot Noir with an entrancing lover.
Which of these Paris-inspired candles tempts you the most?
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