Parle Moi de Parfum — Local services in Paris

Upon receiving an email from Lucky Scent offering the samples and also researching online about this very small parfumerie, I said that I will be in Paris at the end of April, so I will go visit the shop while I am there. I was at Benjamin Almairac's shop for over 2 hours. He is absolutely passionate about the work he does. I told him about receiving the email from Lucky Scent, who by the way is the first to sell his line in the US. Kudos to Lucky Scent. However, I doubt this will be a secret for long as a couple from SF came in as they read in Vogue about the top 5 places to get perfume in Paris, and Parle Moi, was number 1. I tend to patronize only those establishments that are small and family run. I think it is quite important as the corporate conglomerates, (Estee Lauder, L'Oreal, Byredo, etc.) are all buying up these small companies to capitalize upon their name. For them it's all about the bottom line, $$$$. Walking into Benjamin's shop was like walking into a modern chemistry lab. He is already working on new scents and had me smell a few. He learned his craft from his father, Michel, who has had a great influence on other brands of perfume as well (Bond no. 9 to name one.) I smelled all 8 in his collection, and the Guimauve (marshmallow) de Noel, was just glorious. The orange, anise, cinnamon are all combined to create a gorgeous scent. I cannot see how someone cannot like it but I do understand that all scents are different for everyone. It is also his father's favorite and I can understand why. Benjamin is doing a lot of work at the moment, from promoting, to packaging, to purchasing flavors and extractions, etc. The clients that came in while I was there were all from outside France, who read about this small parfumerie. He is hoping that he can expand his business in London and the US. I would highly suggest for all of you to get the samples from Lucky Scent, and if you are in Paris, certainly stop by. Benjamin loves to talk about his work. He speaks...

Parle moi de perfume is new perfume company, but with an iconic pedigree. Run by father and son, Michel and Benjamin Almairac, Parle Moi is a family run business, a wonderful concept fading away in this 21st Century corporate hemisphere.

Michel Almairac is a legend in the perfume world and has created many iconic and memorable scents for other companies, including Burberry Parfum, Gucci Pour Homme, Chloe See, Joop Homme, Bond No. 9 Fire Island, etc. I was fortunate to meet him the day I was in the elegant, but tiny shop in the Marais, which has become perfume central for Paris. Benjamin and Michel are warm, engaging, and have the souls of a teacher. Both were very patient with me and my inquisitive nature. I chose for myself a bottle of Papyrus Oud, a remake of Gucci Pour Homme, not very adventurous, but certainly very fitting. All the perfumes from Parle Moi are available on line, but a visit to their shop iidisiswwonderful...

What a pleasant surprise! During my trip to Paris I visited several perfume houses. This one was by far my greatest discovery. They have a very nice, manageable selection of perfumes, all created by Michel Almairac (the nose behind fragrances like Fahrenheit, Joop! and Zino Davidoff). Almairac keeps the number of notes pretty limited, but the composition is very well done. Every note is recognizable, "shines", but works wonderfully together with the other ingredients. It's good, honest craftsmanship. Very authentic and no-nonsensical, as is the service in the shop. The shop assistant was friendly, easy going, and knew very well what he was talking about. I highly recommend a visit :)

Quick remark shortly after writing my review. Going through some info about the house I discovered that the "shop assistent" was Almairacs son Benjamin :D That explains why he was so well informed. Very nice and...