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Romana's avatar

I was in Osmotheque a long time ago, I didn't understand anything (it was all in French), I was sorry... but I saw the caves (incredible - perfume sci-fi), I tried the most famous perfumes from 1900-1970 as they were and most importantly: I met Jean-Paul Guerlain there. It's like entering the land behind the mirror. I was rewarded with the world of perfume more than I ever wanted.

Go, guys, whenever you have the chance.

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Sultan pasha's avatar

Love Anne Cecile🥰 I am so honoured to have her as a good friend, she has always been super kind to me from the very first time I visited the Osmothèque and really helped me with researching and creating some of my compositions. All I can say is long live Ann Cecile and the Osmothèque!!!🥳🥳🥳🥳

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Karin's avatar

I took one of their 1-day classes as a tourist in 2011. Jean Kerleo was the instructor. Funny, but I was so naive to discover that the class was all in French! Yes, I took 3 years of French in high school, and had a basic understanding, but did miss quite a bit of the lecture because of my lack of vocabulary. But it didn't really matter. We sniffed and sniffed many wonderful vintage fragrances on strips that I was able to take home in a plastic baggie. It was a wonderful experience that I'll never forget!

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Hester van Es's avatar

I really need to go there.

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Mary Stephens Mitchell's avatar

Thank you so much, LT, for the information and the video. I feel that anyone who loves perfume as the art form it is should be aware of this place, and support it in any way possible.

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M Vee's avatar

Vintage Shalimar is probably my favorite scent in the world, and the similar vintage Emeraude. To be able to smell the original as intended...I can't imagine. I sincerely wish one day the Osmotheque will be able to have traveling exhibits or far flung branches. Not that they would ever come to Texas, where culture currently comes to die. But I doubt I'll ever see Versailles at this point.

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Cacio's avatar

Might a little donation induce somebody there to send you a few paperstrips dipped in the perfumes? Likely not-but then, there is no cost in asking them.

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M Vee's avatar

Maybe so! Gosh, I would have to get some friends to have a smelling party. I like dreaming about it, anyway.

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rickyrebarco's avatar

The original Emeraude, I can only dream of sniffing that beauty. I have a vintage bottle of Emeraude that is really lovely, but I don't know how true it is to the original, how it was stored, etc.

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Linda L Kelley's avatar

I had a chance to sniff some of them on scent strips about 15 years ago at a seminar Luca and Tanya were part of at the French Embassy in Washington, DC. I particularly remember Coty Chypre and Paul Poiret's Parfums de Rosine Fruit Defendu. The beautiful FD seemed incredibly modern and I wish someone would try to copy it. 😈

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M Vee's avatar

Fruit Defendu! I've only read about it. It's one of the rarities that I like to just imagine from reading the notes. I'd never thought about it smelling modern.

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Linda L Kelley's avatar

What I remember is that it had lactones but didn't smell like coconut or suntan lotion, and was unadorned. Unlike anything I'm aware of today.

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JT L'Heir's avatar

I can't wait to visit!

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Mih's avatar

me too!

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Dan jones's avatar

How can one make a donation to the Osmotheque? I wrote to them but didn’t get a reply. I found some really old perfume in exceptional condition that they may like to have…

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Cacio's avatar

I was lucky enough to attend some smelling sessions-I wish I were in Paris more often!

Another way to support the Osmotheque, for those who can, is to make a small monetary contribution: https://soutenirleconservatoiredesparfums.iraiser.eu/crowdfunding/Mecenat_projets/project/devenir

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Michelle Shafrir's avatar

I will have to visit!

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Mark Sawchuk's avatar

I tried to go on my last visit to Paris, but I sent my email in August (for the third week of September) and no one got back to me since the entire place was shut down for les vacances. I was a little disappointed that there's no easy way for the public to be in touch; I never got a response to my email (which I did compose in French).

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