The 10 Most Classic Perfumes of All Time

Susan Hooks

Updated: 26 August 2025 ·

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The 10 Most Classic Perfumes of All Time

The infographic of this edition from our series created in partnership with Galeries Lafayette is about the most classic perfumes in modern fragrance history.

Check out the exclusive Lafayette promotion for Conexão Paris readers at the end of the article.

The Magic of Smell and Perfumes

The sense of smell is a magical sense. Certain scents have the ability to transport us through time and space, reminding us of our childhood, a place we visited, or a loved one. Within this context, perfumes are a powerful weapon.

Unlike handbags, which we discussed in the previous infographic (click here), people form a deep emotional connection with perfumes. Many become attached to a particular fragrance, wearing it for years and even calling it 'my scent.' They suffer when 'their' perfume is discontinued or its formula is altered.

The perfumes on our list made a mark, were revolutionary upon their release, or captured the air du temps, the zeitgeist. Regardless, they have become classics and many remain on annual best-seller lists today.

You can find all these perfumes on the ground floor of the Galeries Lafayette.

The 10 Most Classic Perfumes of All Time

most classic perfumes
photo by www.conexaoparis.com.br

The 10 most classic perfumes of all time. Click here or on the image to enlarge.

A Brief History of Perfume

While we have evidence of the use of substances similar to perfumes as early as 7,000 BC, it was only starting in the 12th century, with the development of distillation techniques - used in stills and alchemy - and the invention of pure alcohol, that perfumery spread.

The first fragrance to have a name, Hungarian Water, was created in 1370 and is still produced today (Maison Fragonard). Its main ingredient is rosemary, and it was named by Queen Elisabeth of Poland, wife of King Charles Robert of Hungary.

From the 15th century, perfumery expanded thanks to the invention of the movable type press - which allowed for the dissemination of perfume recipes - and expeditions to Asia and the Americas - which brought back to Europe spices and unknown powerful products such as vanilla, cocoa, tobacco, cinnamon, ginger, pepper, cloves, and incense.

The fame of Grasse, a French city considered the capital of perfume, comes from this time. Grasse manufactured leather goods (gloves and belts) that were soaked in essences of roses perfumed with lavender, verbena, cloves, and cinnamon and then impregnated with musk and amber.

At the end of the 19th century, advances in organic chemistry set the stage for the birth of modern perfumery with the first uses of synthetic products.

The Houbigant and Guerlain Maisons were the first to use them, respectively in the perfumes Fougère Royale, from 1882, and Jicky, from 1889, considered the first modern perfume. They paved the way for the great creations of the 20th century, where perfumery and fashion became an inseparable pair. One giving strength and marketing to the other.

Currently, due to increased ease of production - even for small companies - combined with growing interest and consumer markets, launches are multiplying.

Perfumery ranges from the exceptional to the mundane, from super exclusive to mega pop.

In 10 years, we will know which of the new launches have stood the test of time and have become classics, like the perfumes mentioned in our infographic.

Check out other infographics in the series

  • The 10 most famous French luxury brands (click here)
  • The 10 most iconic handbags of all time (click here)
  • The 10 most classic sneakers of all time (click here)
  • The 6 types of winter coats (click here)
  • 10 French beauty product brands (click here)

Benefits of Galeries Lafayette for Conexão Paris Readers

The Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann is the most well-known and historic department store in Paris. In addition to being an iconic address in the city, it is part of the lifestyle of the elegant Parisian. The store is also the best tip for tourists looking to shop. There are 3,500 brands for sale, distributed over 70,000 square meters - three buildings, seven floors.

Reasons and Benefits of Shopping at Galeries Lafayette:

  1. GET FREE GIFTS! Galeries Lafayette offers exclusive gifts to Conexão Paris readers for purchases over €50. Click here to read our article that explains everything. Note: only one gift per person, per voucher, per day, per proof of tax refund.
  • 1 GALERIES LAFAYETTE TOTE BAG with purchases over €50
  • 1 GALERIES LAFAYETTE COIN PURSE with purchases over €200
  • 1 KIEHL'S COSMETICS BAG WITH 4 FACE PRODUCTS with purchases over €250
  • 1 RITUALS BEAUTY BOX WITH 4 PRODUCTS + access to the Le Concierge lounge + appetizer with purchases over €650
  • 1 DIPTYQUE CANDLE + access to the Le Concierge lounge + appetizer with purchases over €650
  • 1 S.T. DUPONT CARDHOLDER + access to the Le Concierge lounge + appetizer with purchases over €1,200
  • 1 CLARINS BEAUTY BOX WITH 3 PRODUCTS + access to the Le Concierge lounge + appetizer with purchases over €1,200
  • 1 LA MER COSMETIC BAG WITH 2 PRODUCTS + access to the Le Concierge lounge + appetizer with purchases over €2,500
  • 1 S.T. DUPONT BALLPOINT PEN + access to the Le Concierge lounge + appetizer with purchases over €2,500
  1. You'll be protected from the rain or sun! And you can even have your meals inside Lafayette. There are several restaurants spread across the various floors of the grand magasin, click here to read our article about them.
  1. Save time! At Galeries Lafayette, you can find a huge variety of brands - women's, men's, and children's; well-known and unknown; French and international - all under one roof for every budget and taste.
  1. Save money! You can combine the total from all purchases made in different stores within Galeries Lafayette to reach the minimum amount of €100 required to obtain your tax refund (détaxe) right there. Click here to read our article that explains everything.
  1. See fashion shows and get to know the season's trends. Every Friday, Galeries Lafayette holds a fashion show presenting the latest seasonal trends and store novelties. Conexão Paris readers get 10% off the ticket price; just use the code GLCONEXAO. Click here to make your reservation.

Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann: 40 boulevard Haussmann, 75009 | Metro lines 7 and 9, station Chausée d'Antin - La Fayette or lines 3, 7 and 8, station Opéra | Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, from 10 AM to 8:30 PM; Sundays and holidays, from 11 AM to 8 PM.

Read Also About Galeries Lafayette

  • Galeries Lafayette Paris: 2023 benefits for Conexão Paris readers
  • Galeries Lafayette, the best address for shopping in Paris
  • Lafayette Gourmet and Maison: the gastronomic address of Paris
  • Wellness Galerie: the floor dedicated to well-being at Galeries Lafayette
  • Wine Tasting in Paris: How to Taste, Where, When, and Discounts
  • Culinary Course in Paris: learn to make French dishes
  • Events and courses at Galeries Lafayette

Discounts and Gifts for Conexão Paris Readers

  • GALERIES LAFAYETTE: Gifts on purchases over €50 made at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, click here for more information and to download the vouchers.
  • FRAGRANCE DE L'OPÉRA PERFUMERY: €10 off for every €150 spent at the Fragrance de l'Opéra - click here for all information and to download the voucher.
  • CARRÉ OPÉRA PHARMACY: 10% off purchases made at Carré Opéra Pharmacy - click here for all information and to download the voucher.
  • SAINT ANDRES DES ARTS HOTEL (charming 4-star in Saint Germain): 10% off + 1 bottle of wine + breakfast - use the code paris-story.com when making your reservation on the hotel's website, click here to access.
  • TRAVEL INSURANCE: 5% off on your travel insurance by using the code paris-story.com. Travel insurance is one of the documents that may be required upon your entry into Europe, click here to learn more.
  • TICKETS: 5% off on tickets, tours, and excursions sold on Tiqets using the code paris-story.com, click here to access the site.

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