A new garden has just opened at the Palace of Versailles, in the heart of the Trianon grounds: no fountains or neatly manicured shrubs here, just thousands of blooming flowers. Perfumer’s GardenAs the name suggests, it’s a place that awakens your sense of smell!
Located in the heart of the Trianon estate, the Jardin du Parfumeur offers a wide range of flower essences. Discover this new garden, made possible by the patronage of Francis Kurkdjian.
The garden is divided into three parts
Surrounding the Orangerie is the Parfumer Garden, which is divided into three sections with different atmospheres.
Garden of Curiosity
The first area we see when we arrive at the Jardin du Parfumeur is the Garden of Curiosities. It faces the Orangerie and immediately awakens the senses. Thousands of flowers in several flower beds tickle our nostrils. Entering this garden is like entering a perfume shop.
While certain essences like rose and orange blossom are easily recognizable, there are also more atypical essences that give off strange scents like chocolate, banana, and even Coca-Cola.
The Mystery of the Silent Flower
There are only 12 types of flowers from which the scent can be extracted, including rose, jasmine, magnolia, tuberose, daffodil, daffodil, mimosa, cassia, orange blossom, lavender, broom, ylang-ylang, and sweet osmanthus.
All the others are “silent” flowers that cannot be used in perfumes, such as hyacinth, peony, violet, etc. Perfumers must create these flowers artificially.
Under the trees
To the right of the Garden of Curiosity you can relax in the shade of the cherry blossom trees in full bloom, where numerous Japanese cherry trees bloom and release their delicate fragrance, along with jasmine, lilac and selingut.
Secret Garden
Crossing the orchard you reach a secret garden surrounded by stone walls whose historical function is still unknown.
This is my favourite area of the Jardin du Parfumeur: designed in the style of a Japanese garden, it’s an intimate, semi-shaded space perfect for meditation.
Trianon Villa
Just a few hundred metres from the château, the Trianon mansion was built for the intimate company of monarchs. Built under the reign of Louis XIV, then developed and embellished under Louis XV and later by Marie Antoinette, Trianon became a haven from the hustle and bustle of court life.
I created the Palace of Versailles for my court, the Palace of Marly for my friends, and the Trianon for myself.
Louis XIV
Versailles and perfume
The perfumer’s garden is a modern creation and did not exist during the time of the French kings, but the estate’s gardens were rich in fragrant flowers that bloomed all year round (jasmine, tuberose, hyacinths, etc.).
In the 17th century, a passion for perfumes grew at royal courts, and perfumers became famous for creating a wide range of products, including fans, sachets and perfumed gloves, to satisfy the pleasures of the wealthy.
In the following century, the hygienist movement and improvements in extraction methods made the perfume trade more fashionable, and perfumers such as Jean-Louis Fargeon, supplier to Marie Antoinette, became famous. Madame de Pompadour, mistress of Louis XV, is said to have spent 100,000 livres a year on perfume.
How can I visit the Parfumer Gardens of Versailles?
The Jardin du Parfumer is open to the public by guided tour and by reservation only.
- Perfumer’s Workshop
- Sensory journey, family workshop
- The Trianon Gardens
A garden created with the support of Maison Francis Kurkdjian
After recreating the perfumes attributed to Marie Antoinette and creating an olfactory experience in the gardens of Versailles, Maison Francis Kurkdjian continued his involvement with the Palace of Versailles through a multi-year sponsorship to bring to life the Perfumer’s Garden.
Useful information
address:
Perfumer’s Garden
Palace of Versailles, Trianon
78000 Versailles, France
We are very grateful to Maison Francis Kurkdjian for inviting us to visit this garden of a thousand scents, and to the Château’s team of gardeners for their fascinating explanations.
All photos featured in this article are the property of Culturez-vous and may not be used without written permission.
Did you like Antoine Vitek’s article? Follow us on social!
