New Fragrant Destinations in Paris

Aépure is the new indie-brand focused cosmetics and fragrance shop on the Left Bank.

Founded by former cosmetics executive François de Grossouvre, Aépure aims to be what Sephora isn’t: a shop featuring alternative brands with a story, staffed by expert S.A.s and featuring “pods” where you can quietly try out the products.

I met François de Groussouvre when I stopped there last Saturday: he was attending the customers personally, and he is as charming and considerate as his staff. Aépure features several Italian fragrance lines (Nasomatto, Lorenzo Villoresi, Profumum – it is the sole Paris point of sale for the two latter), as well as the whimsical Lost’March house from Brittany, the somewhat olfactorily distressing Swedish brand Neotantric, as well as Juliette Has a Gun, Miller Harris and By Killian.

But the jewel of the crown is, to me, the Parfumerie Générale line. There is talk of the Private Collection being made available at some point… And of Pierre Guillaume making an appearance, an event I am very much looking forward to: not only is the very talented Pierre extremely decorative, but he is an articulate, passionate, fascinating speaker. François de Groussouvre plans to organize several such events (Killian Hennessy and Romano Ricci are also expected). All in all, a very welcome initiative.

Aépure, 35 rue Guénégaud, 75006 Paris. Métro Odéon or Saint-Michel. www.aepure.fr (Please note that the website isn’t up yet).

Added November 6th 2009: As of the latest news, sadly, the Aépure boutique is no longer open.

Merci is the latest Right-Bank Boho haunt.

The 1 500 m² concept/charity store offers everything from furniture to designer clothing, second-hand books, plants (by Christian Tortu, no less) and a delicious organic canteen, but what really makes this a perfumista destination is the fragrance counter.

Merci’s owner, Marie-France Cohen (who, with her husband Bernard, founded the childrenswear brand Bonpoint), is the late Annick Goutal’s sister, and she’s offering some of the house classics at a 40% discount.

Passion, L’Eau du Sud, L’Heure Exquise, L’Eau de Camille and L’Eau de Charlotte are sold in plain lab bottles: 22 € for 25ml, 39€ for 50ml, 59€ for 100ml and 119€ for 200ml. If you bring in your own bottle to fill, it’s even cheaper. The store also offers exclusive re-editions of four discontinued Goutal candles: Dans les Foins (hay), Mes Nuits d’été (fig tree), Chine Impériale (smoky tea) and Corsé (spicy), at 29€ for a 175-gram candle in a glass, and 19€ for a refill.

Marie-France Cohen being a woman after our own heart, she noticed that Passion had been de-oakmossed and asked Isabelle Doyen to restore the original formula, since she was only going to sell it directly in her store. Unfortunately, Robertet, the lab that makes the Goutals, no longer has oakmoss in its catalogue…

One hundred percent of Merci’s profits go to charities benefitting the women and children of Madagascar.

Merci, 111 boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris, Métro Saint-Sébastien Froissart.