Palace of Versailles Opens Perfumer's Garden with LVMH Support

The Palace of Versailles has opened "Le Jardin du Parfumeur," or The Perfumer's Garden, to the public. Located within the Trianon Estate, the garden features hundreds of fragrant plants and aims to recreate the atmosphere of the 17th-century Trianon, educating visitors on the importance of fragrances at the royal court. The initiative was facilitated by a collaboration with Maison Francis Kurkdjian, a perfume house owned by LVMH.

The garden is divided into three distinct sections: "The Garden of Curiosities" in front of the Orangerie showcases a majority of the floral species. "Under the Trees" is a walkway lined with Japanese cherry trees, and "The Secret Garden" offers a more intimate setting. The plant collection includes familiar species like roses and jasmine, alongside plants with unexpected scents reminiscent of chocolate or apple. It also features "mute flowers," such as hyacinth, peony, and violet, whose natural fragrances require synthetic reproduction for use in perfumery.

Versailles was historically a center for the use of flowers and fragrances, considered a cradle of perfume-making. This new garden provides visitors with a novel way to experience the estate and understand its deep connection to scent history. Access to the Perfumer's Garden is included with admission to the Trianon Estate.

Reservations for visits to the Trianon Estate, including the Perfumer's Garden, can be made through the Palace of Versailles website.