Molinard, Lavende, 'Lavender', 250 ml. or 8.45 oz. Flacon, Eau de Cologne, 1802, 1965, Paris, France ..

The Maison Molinard was founded in 1849 in Grasse, Provence, in the south of France, cradle of the world's perfume industry. It has remained an entirely family-run business to this day, and is also the oldest of its kind. At that time, Molinard produced floral waters and Eaux de Cologne, which it sold in its "little shop" in the town centre. In 1891, Queen Victoria stayed at Grasse, and bought Eaux de Cologne there.

In 1900, the company moved into an old perfume factory, where the distillery structure was designed by Gustave Eiffel. Molinard is still there today. A typical Provençal showroom was set up, and its first customers were wealthy foreigners from England and Russia. They came to admire its magnificent collection of 17th and 18th century furniture, and buy Molinard eaux de Cologne together with all its floral fragrances.

Eau de Cologne or simply cologne, is a perfume originating from Cologne, Germany. Originally mixed by Italian-born Johann Maria Farina in 1709, it has since come to be a generic term for scented formulations in typical concentration of up to 5% essential oils and also more depending upon its type essential oils or a blend of extracts, together with alcohol, and water.

In a base of dilute ethanol eau de cologne contains a mixture of citrus oils including oils of lemon, orange, tangerine, clementine, bergamot, lime, grapefruit, blood orange, and bitter orange. It can also contain oils of lavender, rosemary, thyme, oregano, petitgrain, jasmine, olive, oleaster, and tobacco.

Offered here is a beautiful pristine bottle of Molinard's Lavende Eau de Cologne. While there are no notes to be found on the Internet, it is likely to contain most of the above. This was apparently a great favorite of Napoleon.

A rare find. A refreshing tonic in the hot summer months, both cooling and soothing. A classic!