It looks like the French are quite fond of their perfumes, which is why this country is the only one in the world that actually has a fragrance archive. Named Osmothèque, the institution is entitled to request and archive the formula of every new fragrance marketed in France. It is located in Versailles, and it exists solely to make sure that no French perfume is ever lost or destroyed.
The archive currently comprises more than 3,200 perfumes, including masterpieces that are no longer in production such as Guerlain Mitsouko and Chanel No.5. The establishment sometimes hosts lectures and perfume sessions during which lucky individuals get to sample some of the rarest and coveted scents under controlled conditions. If you would like to visit the Osmothèque yourself, you’ll have to make an appointment in advance.
