A trip to Belgravia's Les Senteurs

If you are fed up with pushy sales assistants, who don't know their Grasse from their elbow, then you should take a trip to Belgravia's Les Senteurs. Les Senteurs is a family owned perfume shop, founded in 1984, that specialise in artisanal perfumes, rather than what you can find in every Boots and Debenhams. Situated just a short walk away from Sloane Square tube, the store is a must-visit for any perfume loving visitors to the capital. Basenotes went to visit the store as it was celebrating it's 21st anniversary.




During our visit, we had the opportunity to witness the vast knowledge and excellent customer service given by the staff. It put most perfume counters in department stores to shame. Staff spoke of each product with enthusiasm and, due to their knowledge of their wide range, were able to offer intelligent suggestions based on the likes and dislikes of the customer.

If you are looking for Armani and Angel, then Les Senteurs is not for you. However, you will find, Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle (exclusive to Les Sentuers in the UK), Creed (including the Private Collection), Caron (with fountains), Knize, Maitre Parfumer et Gantier, Le Jardin Retrouvé, The Different Company, Parfum de Nicolaï, Molinard, Serge Lutens and more... (even Puig's elusive Vetiver). Also avaliable in the store is Les Senteurs own fragrance: Apogée. Apogée was created for one of the co-founders of Les Senteurs, Elizabeth Hawksley, by François Robert (creator of the Rosine fragrances, and Lanvin's updated Vetiver, amongst others). The fragrance contains notes of Lily of the Valley, Rose and Patchouli.

Les Senteurs offer a sample service, where you can choose up to six samples of almost any of the fragrances they stock. A charge of £2 is made per sample, and it's an ideal way to try a fragrance before splashing out £70 on a bottle.

The Les Senteurs catalogue contains all of the fragrances they stock, with beautiful descriptions of each scent by their resident expert, James Craven. More information is available on their website.

Basenotes would like to thank James, Martin and Ian for their hospitality.

Les Senteurs.
71 Elizabeth Street, London, SW1W 9PJ
Tel +44 (0)20 7730 2322
sales@lessenteurs.com
www.lessenteurs.com
Nearest Tube: Sloane Square / Victoria