Napoleon's Fragrance: Scent Of A Conqueror

It is widely believed that Napoleon Bonaparte, the French political and military leader, wore fragrance during battle. He was a big promoter of colognes and is said to have gone through 50 bottles of fragrance per month. He loved the cooling qualities of the scent and the fragrance's ability to evoke memories of his childhood home in Corsica. He also believed that the cologne had hygienic properties and would rub it on himself and even drink it.

Napoleon's favourite fragrances

Napoleon Bonaparte was a French political and military leader who played a hugely influential role in how scents are produced and used. He was a great promoter of colognes, which first went into production in 1792. He was meticulous about his personal hygiene and preferred water ablutions to the coquetry of dandies and aristocrats. He believed that colognes had hygienic properties and used them extravagantly throughout his life.

Napoleon had a standing order with perfume house Chardin to deliver 50 bottles of their signature Eau de Cologne every month. He splashed his neck and shoulders with it multiple times a day, especially after bathing. He also poured it over his head and brushed it over his body vigorously. He attributed his health to this habit, which he claimed to have brought back from the Orient. He also carried a small vial of cologne in his boot when travelling.

Napoleon's favourite fragrance was a light citrus-aromatic cologne with rosemary, lavender and thyme. The rosemary was a nod to his childhood in Corsica, where it grew wild among the cliffs. He loved the cooling qualities of the scent. He also enjoyed the scent of his wife, Josephine, 'au naturel' and often sent her large bills for her perfumes, including jasmine, which was one of her favourites.

How much cologne did Napoleon use?

It is said that Napoleon Bonaparte loved cologne and used it extravagantly throughout his life. He had a standing order with his perfumer, Chardin, to deliver 50 bottles of Eau de Cologne a month. However, it is important to note that fragrance bottles in the 19th century were much smaller than those we use today, and the formulas were less concentrated.

Napoleon is believed to have used about three 75ml bottles of cologne per day. He would drench his neck and shoulders with the fragrance after bathing, and he also carried a small bottle with him at all times. On the eve of each decisive battle, he would hold a bottle of cologne at his desk, pouring a few drops onto a handkerchief and then pressing it to his lips, forehead, and temples.

Invoices from the French National Archives indicate that 72 bottles of Eau de Cologne were ordered for the month of October 1808. Madame de Rémusat, lady-in-waiting to Josephine de Beauharnais, wrote in her Memoirs that Napoleon used up to 60 rolls (flasks) of cologne per month.

During his exile on St. Helena, Napoleon began to run out of his usual cologne. His servant, the Mameluke Ali, created a similar product based on local ingredients and documents found on the island. This allowed the emperor to continue his daily use of cologne, which he attributed to his health and considered extremely important.

Napoleon's influence on men's fragrance

Napoleon Bonaparte is not typically associated with men's fragrance, but the French political and military leader has played a significant role in shaping how scents are produced and used today.

Napoleon was a proponent of good personal hygiene and was known to have a particular fondness for cologne, which he used in abundance. He had a standing order with the perfume house Chardin to deliver 50 bottles of their signature Eau de Cologne every month. This may seem excessive, but it is important to note that fragrance bottles in the 19th century were much smaller and more fragile, and the formulas were less concentrated. Napoleon would drench his neck and shoulders with the scent, especially after bathing. He also carried a small, versatile bottle with him at all times, which he could easily slip into his boots—a useful habit given his line of work.

Napoleon's preferred fragrance was a citrus-based scent with notes of rosemary, lavender, and thyme. The rosemary is said to have reminded him of his childhood home in Corsica, helping him to stay calm during battle preparation. He also loved the cooling qualities of the scent. His devotion to this fragrance was such that he had a special bottle made by Jean-Marie Farina in Paris, which could be easily transported.

Napoleon's influence extended beyond his own fragrance choices. He is credited with helping to promote the art of perfumery and the practice of men wearing fragrance. His followers and generals took note of his habit of using cologne and soon began buying fragrances in large numbers.

Today, those interested in smelling like Napoleon can purchase fragrances inspired by his favourite scents, such as the "Corsica" cologne by Edenbridge, which features notes of basil, leather, and cedar wood, in addition to the rosemary, lavender, and thyme that Napoleon was said to favour.

The original fragrance recipe

Napoleon was born on the island of Corsica in 1769. He rose to prominence during the French Revolution as a French political and military leader, leading numerous successful campaigns during the Revolutionary Wars. He was known for his decisiveness and intelligence.

Napoleon's preferred fragrance is believed to have been created by the perfume house Chardin, which was based in Paris. The fragrance was likely delivered in small, versatile bottles that could be easily carried, such as the special bottle created by Jean-Marie Farina that Napoleon could slip into his boots.

Napoleon's fragrance habit was not just limited to cologne. He also attributed health benefits to his fragrance use, claiming that it had hygienic properties. He would rub it on himself and even drink it. This belief in the health benefits of fragrance may have been influenced by his time in the Orient, where he is said to have picked up the habit of using hot water and steam in his baths.

While the original fragrance recipe remains a mystery, modern perfumers have created fragrances inspired by Napoleon, such as "Corsica" by Edenbridge, which updates the traditional cologne with brighter, less herbal notes of basil and deeper notes of leather and cedarwood.

Napoleon's wife's favourite perfumes

While it is well-documented that Napoleon Bonaparte loved his cologne, what is less known is that he also had a penchant for fragrances on his wife, Josephine de Beauharnais.

Josephine's Favourite Perfumes

Houbigant, perfumer to French Royalty, created a perfume for Empress Josephine with strong notes of musk and civet (animalic). These notes were not in common usage at the time, and Josephine was nicknamed "the musk lover".

Josephine also delighted in the scent of violets, hyacinths, and mignonette (which has a violet-like scent). Napoleon sent her some mignonette seeds from Egypt, and it soon became popular with the French elite, who used it to mask the foul stench of the streets.

Napoleon also spent large amounts of money on jasmine perfume for his wife, which was one of her favourites.

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