Perfume Making Workshop in Paris: How to make your own perfume

Joining a perfume making workshop in Paris to design your own fragrance is one of the coolest, off the beaten path things you can do!

Perfume Making Workshop in Paris: Create Your Own Signature Scent

One of the most unforgettable, hands-on experiences in Paris is joining a perfume making workshop and walking away with your very own custom fragrance. Whether you’re traveling with a partner, friends, or colleagues, this is an enchanting activity that combines creativity, history, and scent. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of a perfume workshop in Paris.

Why It’s Worth Doing

Paris is known as the world capital of fragrance, and few souvenirs are more personal than a scent you designed yourself. A perfume-making workshop is:

• Memorable — you get to participate, not just observe, and it makes for a fantastic souvenir to bring home!
• Educational — you’ll understand how perfume works, not just smell pretty bottles
• Portable — your finished bottle travels easily, and you have a story to go with it
• Re-creatable — many ateliers will store your formula so you can reorder it later

First time visiting Paris?? Check out my beginner’s guide

My Experience at Candora

I attended a workshop at Candora, a boutique just off Le Marais, although there are several other providers to choose from. My coworkers and I booked a private session and it was the perfect team-building activity, especially since many of them were visiting Paris for the week. I think that any group, whether it’s a couple, a few friends, or a special occasion could all enjoy making their own perfume.

What impressed me most: the staff’s passion and patience, and their willingness to guide us (without judgment) through experimenting with scent combinations.

There are several different providers in Paris which do the same, and I’ll link them below for you can check which is right for you and their availability.

How the Perfume – Making Workshop Works

You will sign up for a time slot to join a class. This can either be on your own or privatized. The class will begin with a presentation of history of perfume, how our sense of smell works, and how professional perfumists design different scents. Throughout the presentation, you will smell a variety of scents to understand the different categories.

Here’s what to expect from a well-run perfume making workshop in Paris:

1. Introduction & Theory

You’ll learn about the history of perfumery, how our sense of smell works, and what goes into building a balanced scent (top, middle, base notes).

2. Smelling & Scent Families

The instructor introduces you to different fragrance families (floral, woody, citrus, oriental, gourmand, etc.). You’ll sniff many raw ingredients to get a feel for how they behave.

3. Blending Your Fragrance

You’ll choose two or three base scents (or more, depending on the atelier) and blend them in varying ratios to find what smells best. The instructor helps you fine-tune the balance so your scent is harmonious, not overpowering.

4. Finalizing & Bottling

Once you’re happy with the blend, the perfume is bottled (often in 50 ml format) and labeled with your chosen name. Some ateliers also provide a formula card so you can reorder or recreate it later.

What’s Typically Included (And What to Ask)

Here’s a typical inclusions list — and a few extras to double-check before you book:

• A custom 50 ml (or less) bottle of your perfume
• A formula card so you can reorder your creation
• All materials, droppers, and scent vials
• Guidance from a perfumer or scent expert
• Sometimes: certificate/diploma, gift packaging

Optional extras to ask about:

• Private workshops (for couples or groups)
• Language of instruction (English, French, etc.)
• Storage of your formula by the atelier
• Ability to reorder in different formats (e.g. body lotion, spray)

Booking & Price Estimates

Now, let’s break down those three:

Budget-Friendly Option

The Happy Medium

Top Pick

Tips & Best Practices Before You Go

• Go perfume-free before the workshop so your nose is clear.
• Avoid mint, strong coffee, or spicy food beforehand. Strong flavors can dull your sense of smell.
• Start light, then build — it’s easier to add scents than remove.
• If you know a scent family you like, mention it to your instructor — they’ll help steer you.

Final Thoughts

I’ve always wanted to create my own perfume and absolutely loved the experience! Now, every time you wear your scent, you’re transported back to that trip. If you want a meaningful and creative activity that’s totally Parisian, this is it.

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