The world of Papier d'Arménie

In tune with the times since 1885, Papier d'Arménie® is much more than a home fragrance: it's a heritage.
Born from a trip to Armenia and a bold intuition, the iconic booklet perpetuates a unique artisanal know-how, passed down from generation to generation.
Made in Montrouge with patience and passion, it diffuses the warmth of benzoin and transforms each interior into a welcoming, refined and timeless place.

IN THE SPIRIT OF THE TIMES SINCE 1885

A STORY OF CREATIVE AUDACITY

AND OF

TRANSMISSION

The history of Papier d'Arménie® begins in the 19th century. During a trip to Armenia, Auguste Ponsot noticed that locals were scenting and disinfecting their homes by burning benzoin. Seduced by this traditional and ecological practice, he decided to import this product to France.

THE BIRTH

His associate, pharmacist Henri Rivier, then discovered that dissolving benzoin in 90% alcohol produced a persistent odor. Adding perfume created a pleasant and persistent aromatic blend. All that remained was to find a medium. This would be blotting paper, which absorbed the mixture while retaining the original odor of the benzoin and burned slowly without creating a flame.

A CENTENNIAL FRENCH FAMILY BUSINESS

The production of the oldest home fragrance is artisanal and similar of that of a luxury product... 6 months and no less than 12 production stages are necessary to obtain the famous little booklet

Arnaud Schvartz, fifth generation of Henri Rivier's family, thus perpetuates the family tradition, scrupulously respecting this unique know-how which makes the Papier d'Arménie® products successful.
Located in Montrouge since its inception, Papier d'Arménie® is a family business. Some employees have been loyal to Maison Papier d'Arménie® for three generations.

THE EXPERTISE OF A LUXURY PRODUCT
6 months of manufacturing

Succeeding his mother in 2025, Arnaud Schvartz, the fifth generation, continues the family tradition at the helm of the renowned Maison Papier d'Arménie®. A team of 10 artisans, each practicing a different craft, lovingly crafts the small notebook. Throughout its long journey, it passes under the meticulous and rigorous supervision of a production manager and through the hands of six different artisans, some of whom have been with the company for up to 30 years.

It all begins with Styrax officinalis: the finest benzoin resin, secreted by the aliboufier, a tree from Laos. It is delivered in the form of "tears." Following an immutable ritual, the benzoin resin is dissolved in alcohol for several weeks. Then perfume extracts are added. This solution, the composition of which remains secret, impregnates a special blotting paper. The operation is carried out manually, sheet by sheet.

OUR OTHER PRODUCTS

CANDLES

Our exclusive candle collection was born from a meeting in 2006 between Mireille Schvartz, great-granddaughter of the founder of Papier d'Arménie, and Francis Kurkdjian, a renowned perfumer. Available in the three original Papier d'Arménie® scents, it recreates the olfactory world by releasing the inimitable and subtle aroma of the burning papers. Made with vegetable wax and a cotton wick, they are produced in France using exceptional expertise inherited from master candlemakers. Each candle offers a burn time of approximately 50 hours.

BURNERS

Inspired by the first burner released in 1996, with its triangular shape topped with a small dome, it will optimize the diffusion of Papier d'Arménie® scents.

Made of ceramic or terracotta, it is available in five colours.