Etat Libre d’Orange (Shopikon)

Indulge in the art of olfactory exploration

“Etat Libre d’Orange exceeds everything you might expect from a typical perfume shop. Established in 2006, this fragrance house in the Marais is anything but conventional. Etienne de Swardt, former LVMH executive and creative of the pet perfumes Oh My Dog and Oh My Cat, stepped back from commercialized fragrance in search of something original, unrestricted, and creative. The result is a line of 27 perfumes that takes the senses on a trip off the beaten track with each whiff. Jasmine and Cigarettes, Fat Electrician, Magnificent Secretions, and The Malaise of the 1970s are just some of the cheeky yet elegant scents they offer. With its art gallery-like interiors and bright neon signs, this shop attracts a curious and passionate clientele of both tourists and locals. Start out with Hotel Slut (Putain de Palaces), one of the collection’s first perfumes, or Fils de Dieu, and aroma of lime and rice that one can almost taste as much as smell. If you’re having a hard time choosing, treat yourself to a sample box with 16 of their best-selling fragrances in 10ml bottles.“