Galimard: A Family Story Nearly 300 Years in the Making

Some fragrances tell a story.

Others carry centuries of history within them.

When we chose to bring Galimard to Maison Savon, it was not simply because of the beautiful perfumes. It was because of the people, the heritage, and the craftsmanship behind them.

Today, Maison Savon is proud to be the exclusive retailer of Galimard fragrances in Denmark. As the only place in Denmark where you can discover and purchase these remarkable perfumes, we are delighted to share the story behind one of France’s oldest perfume houses.

Galimard is one of the oldest perfume houses in France, with a history dating back to 1747. Nearly three centuries later, it remains family-owned and continues to create fragrances in Grasse, the world-renowned birthplace of modern perfumery.

The Beginning: Jean de Galimard

The story starts in 1747 with Jean de Galimard, Lord of Séranon and a member of the prestigious Guild of Glove Makers and Perfumers in Grasse. At the time, Grasse was becoming famous for its scented gloves, perfumes, and aromatic products crafted from the abundant flowers grown in the surrounding countryside.

According to Galimard’s historical records, Jean de Galimard supplied perfumes, pomades, and olive oil-based products to the court of King Louis XV of France. He was known for creating his own fragrance formulas and became part of the rich perfume-making tradition that was taking shape in Provence during the eighteenth century.

It was a time when perfume was reserved largely for royalty and the aristocracy, and Grasse was rapidly earning a reputation for the quality of its fragrances.

How Grasse Became the Perfume Capital of the World

To understand Galimard, you must understand Grasse.

Situated between the Mediterranean Sea and the hills of Provence, Grasse benefits from an exceptional climate. For centuries, the region has been ideal for growing jasmine, roses, orange blossom, lavender, and countless other fragrant plants that form the foundation of fine perfumery.

As the perfume industry developed, Grasse became internationally recognised as the centre of perfume creation. The expertise of its growers, distillers, and perfumers helped shape the fragrance world as we know it today.

In 2018, the traditional know-how associated with perfume creation in Grasse was recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, a testament to the region’s extraordinary contribution to the art of perfumery. Our business operations - Galimard - Perfumer in Grasse since 1747

The Roux Family Revives a Historic Name

The modern story of Galimard is inseparable from the Roux family.

Between the 1920s and 1940s, Siméon Roux, a First World War veteran and recipient of the French Agricultural Merit distinction, cultivated jasmine and orange blossom in the fields around Grasse. His flowers supplied some of the region’s leading perfume houses.

His son, Joseph Roux, grew up immersed in this world of flowers and fragrance. Trained as a chemical engineer, he combined technical knowledge with a deep appreciation for the traditions of Grasse.

In 1950, Joseph Roux established a distillery known as “La Source Parfumée” in the medieval village of Gourdon. At the same time, he brought the legacy of Jean de Galimard back to life by opening a perfumery in the historic centre of Grasse under the Galimard name.

His vision ensured that this historic perfume house would continue into the modern era.

A Passion Passed Through Generations

The company continued to grow with the support of Marie-Jeanne Roux, wife of Joseph Roux. Together they expanded the business and welcomed visitors into the fascinating world of perfumery.

Their son, Jean-Pierre Roux, later continued the family tradition. In 1980, he opened the Galimard Factory-Museum in Grasse, enabling visitors from around the world to discover the history, artistry, and techniques behind perfume creation.

In 1986, Galimard expanded further with the opening of a new factory in the beautiful medieval village of Èze, where traditional soap manufacturing was also introduced.

Rather than hiding their expertise behind closed doors, the family chose to share their passion and preserve the traditions of Grasse for future generations.

Opening the Secrets of Perfumery

For centuries, perfume creation remained an art practised behind the scenes by master perfumers.

In 1996, Galimard introduced a concept that was revolutionary for its time: the Perfume Creation Atelier. Visitors could create their own fragrance under the guidance of experienced perfumers and discover the creative process for themselves.

Today, these workshops remain one of the most famous perfume experiences in Grasse and have inspired countless visitors from around the world.

Still Family-Owned Today

In a fragrance industry dominated by international luxury groups, Galimard remains something special.

The company still operates as a wholly family-owned business, continuing the traditions, values, and savoir-faire that have defined it for generations. Our business operations. Galimard - Perfumer in Grasse since 1747

For us at Maison Savon, this is one of the reasons we admire Galimard so much.

We believe that true quality comes from dedication to craftsmanship, respect for tradition, and a genuine passion for one’s work. These values are evident throughout Galimard’s history and continue to define the company today.

Why We Are Proud to Offer Galimard

At Maison Savon, we carefully select products that tell a story and represent authentic craftsmanship.

That is exactly what we found in Galimard.

From Jean de Galimard in 1747, to Siméon Roux, Joseph Roux, Marie-Jeanne Roux, and Jean-Pierre Roux, this is a story of passion, family, and a commitment to excellence that has endured for nearly three centuries.

Maison Savon is proud to be the exclusive retailer of Galimard fragrances in Denmark.

Our collection includes a wide range of Galimard perfumes, from timeless classics to modern favourites, and we continue to expand our selection as we discover more of the exceptional fragrances created by this remarkable house.

What first attracted us to Galimard was not only the beauty of the fragrances themselves, but the values behind them. Like us, Galimard embraces quality over mass production, craftsmanship over trends, and authenticity over compromise.

In a world increasingly driven by fast production and changing fashions, Galimard remains true to the traditions of Grasse, creating fragrances rooted in heritage, artistry, and generations of expertise. Nearly 300 years after its founding, it remains a family-owned company dedicated to the craft of perfumery.

Every bottle represents centuries of knowledge, creativity, and passion. It is this dedication to excellence that has earned our admiration and makes us proud to bring Galimard exclusively to fragrance lovers throughout Denmark.

From the flower fields of Provence to your home, Galimard captures the elegance, authenticity, and savoir-faire of true French perfumery.

And we are honoured to share that journey with you.

✨ Explore the growing Galimard collection at Maison Savon and discover why one of France’s oldest perfume houses continues to captivate perfume lovers nearly three centuries after it was founded.