LLG Beauty: Diptyque Boutique at 34 Blvd. St Germain, Paris

Back at the end of August I spent a magical day exploring the original Diptyque shop at 34 blvd Saint Germain. I wrote about my short trip to Paris here, but now I’ve got time to show you it properly today, tomorrow and Thursday.

It smells quite, quite heavenly in there. (So heavenly in there in fact that Diptyque recently launched 34, a scent that replicates the glorious myriad scents of the store in one bottle.)  There is every candle that Diptyque produces, including several that are only sold at 34. They are arranged by in groups that make sense together: here’s Cinnamon, Hawthorn, and Tea.

(I wrote about great combinations of candles to burn together here.)

And, whilst I browsed, I learned a new candle-inhaling technique: if you want to really smell the scent of the candle in-store before deciding because, really, it’s practically impossible to decide otherwise, then turn the candle over, tap it sharply on the cloth covered block until the candle slips out.

Then raise the empty glass to your nose and inhale.

Ta da! The candle fragrance pure and simple.

If you look closely, each scent has its own line drawing on the reverse:

But if you thought Diptyque was all about black and white, then think again.

The candles can be gift wrapped in gorgeous bright shades of tissue paper:

The matches, er, match,

and the soaps come hand wrapped in tissue rosettes.

But this was my favourite corner:

I often wear Diptyque’s eau de toilette L’Ombré dans L’Eau (the shadow in the water) with its heady yet sharp damask rose and blackcurrant notes. But recently Diptyque have increased the concentration of their eaux de toilettes, and accentuated their core notes, to create a few eaux de parfums so, since my trip, I have been wafting around in a cloud of even more delectable scent than normal.

What’s your favourite Diptyque candle or scent?

Tomorrow: Inside the Diptyque Archives