3 Best Places to Shop in Around the Louvre, Paris

The world's oldest perfumer has a gorgeous Parisian flagship store, just blocks from its very first shop founded by Pierre-François Guerlain in 1828. This outpost is a sumptuous affair, offering more personalized services and customization than ever before. A tablet helps you define your olfactory profile, and experts are on-hand to guide you through a private consultation in a special room decked out in blushing velvets. You can also have a private consultation with a house "nose" to design your own fragrance. If those options are out of your price range (as they are for most mortals), you can still personalize any of the perfumer's 110 fragrances from the "perfume bar," choosing from several crystal bottles and selecting the color of your label and ribbons.

Every year, Serge Lutens dreams up two new fragrances, which are then sold exclusively in this boutique. Each is compellingly original, from the strong somptueux scents often with musk and amber notes to the intense florals like Rose de Nuit. Bottles can be etched and personalized for gifts. The shop itself boasts a beautiful spiral staircase.

Representing 100 artisanal perfumers, Jovoy is the largest independent purveyor of fragrances in the world—indeed, the brand calls itself the "embassy of rare perfumes." Owner François Hénin is often on-site expounding on the unique qualities and fascinating histories of different fragrances, some of which date back hundreds of years, and many of which are exclusive to the boutique. The shop also carries fragrances for the home and a range of beautifully packaged scented candles.