Parfums Guermantes was founded in 1936 by Claude Caron, a chemist and entrepreneur, at 24 rue de la Paix, Paris, one of the most prestigious shopping streets in the city. Caron, who also operated a pharmacy at this address, ventured into perfumery during a period when Parisian fragrance houses were at the height of their global influence. The choice of the name Guermantes was a nod to Marcel Proust's À la recherche du temps perdu (In Search of Lost Time), referencing the aristocratic Guermantes family in the novel. This literary connection added a sense of sophistication and cultural prestige to the brand.
Claude Caron, the father of famed actress Leslie Caron, infused his fragrances with both scientific precision and artistic flair. His work in perfumery extended through some of the most turbulent periods of modern history, including World War II, during which he continued to produce perfumes despite the challenges of material shortages and wartime restrictions. In fact, Caron recycled bottles from the Lubin perfume house due to post-war rationing and shortages. After the war, the company relocated to 3 place de la Madeleine, Paris, another address synonymous with luxury and refinement.
