In a partnership that seems like a match made in opulent heaven, fragrance brand ‘Parfums de Marly’ has teamed up with the Louvre in Paris to restore one of the museum's most historically rich spaces: the Decorative Arts department.
Fragrance, Furniture, and French Finesse: A Trio of Elegance
If you know anything about Parfums de Marly, you know they have an obsession with 18th-century France. So, this partnership with the Louvre feels less like a corporate deal and more like destiny calling.
Julien Sprecher, the brand's founder and artistic director, summed it up pretty poetically: "The golden age of perfumery, the 18th century, also represents the apogee of refinement and the French art de vivre." If you’re going to talk about refinement and luxury, the Louvre's Decorative Arts department are a perfect match.
Sprecher’s love affair with French history runs deep—so much so that his entire fragrance line takes inspiration from the opulent reign of Louis XV. Parfums de Marly was founded with a vision of honoring the excess and sophistication of that era, and the brand has always been a nod to everything France did best: art, fragrance, and, even horses (we’ll get to that later). Now, they’re making their mark on a part of French history that shaped the era they adore. The restoration will breathe new life into furniture, objects, and tapestries that are dripping with Rococo-style grandeur.
From Louis XV to You: Parfums de Marly Honors a Royal Legacy
At first glance, it might seem unusual for a luxury fragrance brand to help restore 18th-century furniture, but this collaboration is more fitting than you’d think. Olivier Gabet, Director of the Louvre's Decorative Arts department, was quick to highlight the natural connection between Parfums de Marly and the museum.
"When we began discussions with Parfums de Marly, we found out that we had a lot in common," Gabet explained. Surprisingly, there’s more shared ground between the world of fine fragrances and the 22,000 objects in the Decorative Arts department than meets the eye. Both Parfums de Marly and the Louvre hold a deep reverence for French artistry and craftsmanship, a celebration of the opulence that defined 18th-century France. And here’s where things get even more interesting—both have ties to Château de Marly, the retreat of Louis XV, a place dedicated to the well-being of his prized horses.
It was this very château, and the king’s passion for horses, that inspired Julien Sprecher to create Parfums de Marly in 2009. The brand was born out of Sprecher’s admiration for the lavish lifestyle and refinement of the era, and it continues to channel that royal spirit through its fragrances. Now, with this restoration project, Parfums de Marly is not just capturing the essence of French luxury but actively preserving the very history that inspired it.
The Louvre’s Glow-Up: A Modern Restoration with Old-World Charm
Now, if you’re imagining a few mere dustings of the old furniture and some polite lighting changes, think bigger. The Louvre isn’t just tidying up—this is a full-blown scenographic renovation, complete with modernized decor, optimized lighting, and reorganization of the space. Think about it: visitors will soon be able to admire these 18th-century treasures in a whole new light. Even the distance settings will be adjusted to protect the delicate objects while enhancing the overall experience. The revamp will also scrutinize celebrated French sculptor Charles Cressent’s pieces—two cupboards, a chest of drawers, and a desk—to see if they need full-scale restoration.
The restoration project started with a revamp of the lighting in September, but the big stuff will happen once the Louvre wraps up a separate exhibition on fashion next July. The final phase? The potential restoration of those pieces. The plan is to unveil the fully revamped Decorative Arts department to the public in 2026.
Don’t worry, though, you won’t be in the dark for the next three years. Parfums de Marly is taking a page out of the influencer handbook and keeping followers in the loop throughout the restoration process. Expect a steady stream of behind-the-scenes content, offering glimpses of the works in progress on the brand’s website and social media channels.
A Partnership That Smells Like Success
Ultimately, this collaboration between Parfums de Marly and the Louvre is ensuring that history endures for generations to come. The restoration of these historical treasures marks a fitting tribute to an era where art, beauty, and culture were king. Through this partnership, the past and present come together, proving that preserving history is always in vogue.
