Parfumerie E. Coudray

Coudray of Paris France, originally established in 1810 by M. Maugenet and Dr. Edmond Coudray., a doctor-chemist, who traveled all over the world bringing back exotic raw materials.


They became a major exporter during the 19th century and in 1837, the house of Coudray became the official supplier to the British Court.  They later opened a small cosmetics and perfume shop called Maugenet & Coudray located at 348 rue Saint-Honore, Paris in 1882.

 The company produced many luxury presentations and won several awards. They won two silver awards at the 1882 Exhibition, one for their eau de cologne.

Current Literature, Volume 5, 1890:

"Coudray, Lubin and all cologne makers though the house of famous for extracts for the Coudray for sachet powders and soaps...The amber and distilled lavender waters made by Coudray are also excellent...The most famous French sachet powders are those made by Coudray. There is more violet powder sold than all other sachet powders put together. Heliotrope is next to violet in popularity and after that comes white rose and jockey club. In the original packages, Coudray's powders come in no smaller size than a quarter of a pound. Violet powder is not a lasting perfume but may be improved in fragrance and made more lasting by adding to it one-half its bulk of orrisroot powder. This is an excellent sachet for the linen closet and is considerably less expensive than pure violet powder...Lubin, Coudray, and Pinaud of Paris the most famous manufacturers of French soaps. Lubin's violet and other soaps need no recommendation. Coudray and Pinaud both make delightful lettuce soaps one which is just now among the most popular of fine perfumed soaps...All Coudray's soaps may be safely recommended..."

Coudray Parfums remained the family business until 1908, when it was acquired by Edouard Colmant.

After the World War II the house was revived thanks to survived formulas of perfumes.

The modern history of Coudray began in 2002,  with a new owner, who cares about the traditions and the image of the house of Coudray.


Almost all modern fragrances of Coudray are based on old formulas and even have the same names (Vanille et Coco, Jacinthe et Rose, Givrine, the newest Nohiba).

E. Coudray fragrances are made in association with perfumers Gerard Anthony and Evelyne Boulanger.


The perfumes of Coudray:

• 1860 Chèvrefeuille
• 1891 Bouquet Choisi
• 1893 Jockey Club
• 1893 White Rose
• 1906 Adiantis
• 1907 Cyclamen
• 1907 Impériale Ambrée eau de Cologne
• 1907 Heliotrope Blanc
• 1908 Bouquet E. Coudray
• 1908 Vélamine a la Violette
• 1908 Rosee Sovrana
• 1910 Heliotrope
• 1910 Sentozia
• 1910 Edelweiss
• 1910 Muguet
• 1911 Nemesis
• 1911 Axyris
• 1912 Oeillet Van Dijck
• 1912 Pour Elle
• 1913 Sovrana
• 1913 Violette de Parme
• 1913 Tyldis
• 1919 Je Vous L'Offre
• 1919 Le Trio
• 1920 Parmi les Roses
• 1920 Exor
• 1920 Charme de France
• 1920 L'Ambre
• 1920 Rêve de Paris
• 1920 Mimosa
• 1920 Rêve de Reine
• 1922 Nohiba/Tulipe Noir
• 1923 Déosa
• 1924 Glaive d'amour
• 1924 Vetiver
• 1924 Cuir de Russe
• 1924 Provence Fleurie
• 1924 Zorella
• 1925 Secret de Madame
• 1930 Onyx Noir
• 1930 Violettes des Nice
• 1935 Vanille Cannelle
• 1935 Ambre et Vanille
• 1946 Camelia Iris (Bleu)
• 1950 Givrine
• 1983 Jacinthe et Rose
• 1983 Vanille
• 1989 Vanille et Coco
• 1995 Miel Orange
• 1998 Fetiche
• 1999 Romantica
• 2002 Musc et Freesia
• 2007 Esperys
• 2009 Nohiba
• 2012 Iris Rose
• Acqua Divina
• Carquois
• Chypre
• Eau de Senteur

From the current Coudray perfume website:

"Nostalgia has a future. A wind of modernity is blowing over Coudray. New Fragrances have recently been added to the luxurious Catalogue. The packaging is being modernized, though remaining faithful to the Coudray spirit : the Eau de toilette bottle, inspired by a house art deco model, is now more slender and decorated with engraved floral arabesques. The Bath and Body range has been enriched with new fragrances, but the products retain the quality and exceptional fragrances that have delighted women since 1822. 

1822. During the reign of Louis XVIII, Edmond Coudray, doctor-chemist, started to supply Eaux de Cologne, creams, soaps, salves and pomades to the greatest crowned heads. He soon began to concoct luxurious perfumes for them, such precious fragrances as "Rêve de reine", "Gants poudrés" (glove powders)... for Queen Victoria of England he created the perfume "Reine Victoria" and the famous soap with lettuce extracts. During the second Empire his boutique was a rendez-vous for the Imperial family, the Marshals of the Empire and the new nobility, who enthusiastically adopted his creations : Eau de Cologne Extra-fine, Bouquet Impérial, le bouquet de Louise et Marie.

The brand, with L.T. Piver, Lubin, Houbigant and Guerlain was among the five greatest perfume makers of the 19th century. On the death of Edmond Coudray in 1860 his son-in-law took over the company.

The company never changed its name and under its different owners remained true to its founding principles of tradition, quality and refinement.

The 20th century began boldy. E. Coudray was entering on its path to immortality. In 1970, it created the innovative concept of the Espace Bain...Using the expertise handed down through the generations, the company successfully drew on the riches of the past to invent a new modernity and allow women to use fragrance as freely as they wished..."

 The fragrances of the revived Coudray perfumery:

• 1935 Ambre et Vanille
• 1950 Givrine (relaunched in 2004)
• 1983 Jacinthe Et Rose (relaunched in 2003)
• 1989 Vanille Et Coco (relaunched in 2003)
• 2002 Musc Et Freesia (relaunched in 2002)
• 2007 Esperys
• 2009 Nohiba
• 2010 Romantica
• 2012 Iris Rose

Ambre et Vanille: originally launched in 1935, is classified as an Oriental fragrance for women.

• Top notes are orange, ylang-ylang, bergamot and bitter orange
• Middle notes are iris, tonka bean, cinnamon and heliotrope
• Base notes are patchouli, vanilla and amber

Esperys: launched in 2007, is classified as a floral Oriental fragrance for women.

• Top notes are pink pepper, green leaves and Calabrian bergamot
• Middle notes are patchouli, freesia, damask rose and caramel
• Base notes are tonka bean, precious woods, bourbon vanilla and white musk

Givrine: originally launched in 1950, is classified as a floral fragrance for women.

• Top notes are kumquat, bergamot and watermelon
• Middle notes are peony, gardenia, violet and lily-of-the-valley
• Base notes are sandalwood, patchouli, musk and white woods

Iris Rose: launched in 2012, is classified as a floral woody musk fragrance for women.

• Top notes are violet leaf, Bulgarian rose and iris absolute
• Middle notes of Bulgarian rose absolute, heliotrope and iris butter
• Base notes are woods, tonka bean, musk, vanilla, patchouli and labdanum

Jacinthe Et Rose: originally launched in 1983, is classified as a Floral fragrance for women.

• Top notes are vodka, peach, hyacinth and bitter orange
• Middle notes are peony, orange blossom, jasmine, ylang-ylang and rose
• Base notes are sandalwood, musk, vanilla, vetiver and cedar

Musc Et Freesia: launched in 2002, is classified as a Floral Aldehyde fragrance for women. 

• Top notes are aldehydes and raspberry leaf
• Middle notes are peony, cyclamen, lily and freesia
• Base notes are teak wood, musk and suede

Nohiba: launched in  2009, is classified as a floral oriental fragrance for women.

• Top notes are bergamot, lemon and coriander
• Middle notes are jasmine, rose, ylang ylang and carnation
• Base notes are sandalwood, cedar and white musk

Vanille Et Coco: originally launched in 1989, is classified as a woody oriental fragrance for women.

• Top notes are lavender, anise and poplar (populus) buds
• Middle notes are iris, orange blossom, coconut, jasmine and ylang-ylang
• Base notes are sandalwood, tonka bean and vanilla

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