Living history of perfumery in the heart of Versailles

On May 30, 2023, the Palace of Versailles opens to the public the Perfumer's Garden, a place where visitors can learn about the history of fragrances in Versailles through its main protagonists: the flowers.


The new garden, located next to the Châteauneauf greenhouse, has been created with the support of Maison Francis Kurkdjian and will feature hundreds of blooming species: from traditional plants such as roses or jasmine, to species that exude unexpected aromas, such as chocolate or apple, among others; fragrant species as well as the so-called silent flowers, which do not release extracts that can be used in perfumery, such as peonies or violets.

The tour of the garden is divided into three areas: "The garden of curiosities", where most of the species are gathered, "Under the trees", with a pathway of blooming Japanese cherry trees, and "The secret garden", with a more intimate atmosphere. Three areas that visitors can enjoy through visits and workshops open to the general public, school groups, students, and associations.

The importance of Versailles in the history of perfumery dates back to the seventeenth century when flowers were in fashion, and the Trianon was filled with aromatic plants, including jasmine, tuberose, and hyacinth. A system of greenhouses was installed in the gardens to ensure that the plants bloomed all year round.


At the same time, fragrances began to gain strength in the court. The Palace became the birthplace of perfumery from the late seventeenth century. In the eighteenth century, cosmetics gained importance, and perfumery as a profession became fashionable, attracting more and more specialists to Versailles, among whom Claude-François Prévost, perfumer to Queen Marie Antoinette, stands out.

Francis Kurkdjian's path has been closely linked to the Palace of Versailles since he was twenty-four years old. A graduate of the Versailles Perfumery School, Kurkdjian has made significant artistic contributions, such as the creation of Sillage de la Reine, a recreation of Marie Antoinette's perfume, and the ideation of various olfactory installations. In 2022, Maison Francis Kurkdjian became the official sponsor of the Perfumer's Garden, thus reaffirming its commitment to the history of the Palace of Versailles.