French luxury fragrance house Parfums de Marly has entered into a prestigious partnership with the Musée du Louvre to undertake the restoration of a collection of 18th-century royal masterpieces.
Known for bringing the essence of 18th-century France to life through its fragrances, Parfums de Marly was founded in 2009 by Julien Sprecher, whose fascination with history and scent inspired the brand. The perfume house is a tribute to the Château de Marly, the residence of King Louis XV, a monarch renowned for his love of fragrance and racehorses.
With more than 30 fragrances, Parfums de Marly captures the elegance and creativity of the time, using the famed ‘Chevaux de Marly’ sculptures in its logo as a nod to its rich historical heritage.
The Louvre partnership will unfold over three years and aims to revive the museum's decorative arts wing. Home to over 8,000 pieces of 18th-century furniture commissioned by French royalty, this exhibit pays homage to the illustrious past of France’s decorative arts. Among the masterpieces celebrated in this collection are works by Charles Cressent, an artist esteemed for his extraordinary contributions to French decorative arts. Director of the Louvre’s Decorative Arts department, Olivier Gabet, describes Cressent’s creations as “true masterpieces,” highlighting the lasting impact of his work.
“When we began discussions with Parfums de Marly, we naturally found that we had a lot in common, because the Objets d’Art department presents contemporary objects from the Château de Marly. The support of Parfums de Marly has enabled us to be increasingly ambitious and to turn this into a project of excellence.”— Olivier Gabet, director of the Decorative Arts department at the Louvre
In an exclusive preview of the project, Gabet showcased one of the restoration’s standout pieces—a gilded chest adorned with intricate floral designs, originally commissioned by King Louis XIV. Known as the ‘Chest of Jewels,’ this item will be among the pieces transformed to recapture its original glory, all thanks to Parfums de Marly’s commitment to breathing new life into the past.
Though Parfums de Marly was only established in 2009, the museum's connection to the Marly name reaches back much further. The Louvre’s Objets d’Art department already houses pieces from the Château de Marly, and Gabet reflects on how naturally this partnership developed: “When we began discussions with Parfums de Marly, we discovered common ground, as the Objets d’Art department features contemporary works from the Château de Marly. Their support has allowed us to be ambitious, turning this into a project of excellence.”
“The golden age of perfumery, the 18th century, also represents the apogee of refinement and the French art de vivre. The galleries that will be restored at the Louvre bear witness to a unique savoir-faire as realized by artists, goldsmiths, and ingenious cabinetmakers such as Charles Cressent. Participating in the conservation and transmission of that heritage is an honor for Parfums de Marly, as well as an immense joy for me personally, given my longstanding passion for 18th-century French history.”— Julien Sprecher, founder and artistic director of Parfums de Marly
The Château de Marly, once a setting for grand celebrations during the Georgian era, remains a symbol of decorative arts excellence in the museum to this day. During the restoration project, visitors will continue to experience the royal grandeur of the Louvre’s exhibits, including the Galerie d’Apollon, where King Louis XIV’s architectural collections and the French Crown Jewels are on display.
This partnership aligns closely with Parfums de Marly’s dedication to embodying the elegance of the 18th century. For Julien Sprecher, the project is a personal milestone: “The golden age of perfumery, the 18th century, represents the pinnacle of refinement and the French art de vivre. The galleries being restored at the Louvre showcase a unique savoir-faire by artists, goldsmiths, and cabinetmakers such as Charles Cressent. To contribute to preserving and sharing this heritage is both an honor for Parfums de Marly and a personal joy, given my passion for 18th-century French history.”
As Parfums de Marly and the Louvre join forces, the fragrance house is helping restore these masterpieces to their original splendor, ensuring that their legacy is preserved for generations to come.
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