The art of perfume in Andorra

Andorra, nicknamed the country of a thousand scents, has been putting fragrances on the map for years. Today, it's clear that the perfume and shopping industry is vital and omnipresent in this small country. Andorra has no fewer than 109 perfume shops, and is known as a shopper's paradise thanks to its attractive prices, particularly in the perfume sector. However, most visitors are unaware that the country has a long tradition of perfume manufacture.

Andorra draws inspiration and inspiration from its natural resources, in particular its rich and surprising flora, which has been used to create numerous perfumes. And Andorra uses the traditional flowers of the Pyrenees.

According to Andorran guidebooks, certain species of flowers are very rare and found only in Andorra. The radiiflorus is the floral symbol of the country and is easily admired on long walks along mountain paths. Other flowers of interest include arnica flowers (large, beautiful yellow blossoms), mountain daffodils, irises, Debeaux centauries and Liliumes. This rich natural heritage is sure to appeal to botanists.

While several families have gone into the business, Julia Bonet (who gave her name to a chain of perfumeries) is undoubtedly the pioneer. It is also thanks to her that the Principality now boasts a private museum of great cultural interest.

Julia Bonet was born in 1922 and opened her first hairdressing salon at the age of just 17. At the time, commerce in Andorra was almost non-existent, but Julia imported beauty products from France, which she sold in her salon. Her business was doing very well, which encouraged her to expand her range.

Later, she developed a passion for perfumes and eventually launched her own cosmetics brand. 91 years later, Julia perfumeries have become a successful business model, with over 21 shops. What's more, the chain has also made its mark in Spain, with no fewer than fifty establishments across the peninsula.

The anecdote may seem totally commercial and economic, but in reality it's not: Julia Bonet embodies the hard-working spirit of Andorra. And to make sure no one forgets her, a perfume museum has been set up, offering visitors a rather unique experience. Madame Donat collected perfume bottles throughout her life, and the result today is impressive, with a total of 25,000 pieces. Visitors can discover bottles dating back to ancient Egypt (5th century BC) and learn about the history of perfume over the centuries.

The Musée du Parfum awakens the senses and pays tribute to an age-old tradition that has sustained the region for centuries. It takes a different approach to other museums by using the sense of smell rather than sight, providing a new artistic experience.

Created in 2004, the museum showcases pieces from private collections, auctions, markets and donations. It showcases a collection of 1,000 different fragrances, as well as objects related to the world of perfume. This unique concept offers a perspective on the evolution of the art of perfume over the course of the 20th century.

Delicate noses will be able to analyse the essences and even create their own perfume by choosing the bottle, the name of the perfume and the aromas. Finally, a documentary tells the story of the evolution of the concept of perfume throughout history in a fun and entertaining way. The museum also covers the "Roaring Twenties" of pre-war Europe, the Art Deco period, the Parisian Art Nouveau period and the rebellious period of women.

Here we learn a number of more or less well-known anecdotes, such as how perfume was conceived to speak to the gods or as a tool of seduction. The museum also reveals how perfume was forcibly used on pigeons by the Patricians, who flew them through their rooms to scent the spaces.