Frequently asked questions

Our Universe

WHAT DOES MAISON D'ORSAY OFFER?

D'ORSAY offers a collection of mixed fragrances evoking different states of love, echoing the first creation for couples imagined by Alfred d'Orsay in 1830, for Marguerite Blessington.

Our House also offers scented candles, home fragrances and olfactory instruments for fragrance diffusion.

The House of D'ORSAY carries values of sensuality, universality and singularity, and continues to defend the know-how of craftsmen, all based in France.

What is the personality of our fragrances?

D'ORSAY imagines special fragrances, evoking the universality of the state of love and exploring its multiple facets: attentive, free, paradoxical, ardent, adventurous, tender, lightning, impulsive, sincere, spiritual, secret, tactile, unyielding love... D'ORSAY fragrances are designed for couples, mixed fragrances, echoing the first historic fragrance conceived in 1830 by Alfred d'Orsay for himself and Marguerite Blessington.

Who are the perfumers who collaborate with our House?

D'ORSAY calls upon recognized noses/perfumers for its creations, who may be independent or work for major perfume houses.

The perfumer of each creation is presented in our product sheets. We find Karine Chevallier, Olivia Giacobetti, Mark Buxton, Anne-Sophie Behagel and Amélie Bougeois (Flair), Fanny Bal (IFF), Bertrand Duchoufour (Technicoflor), Nicolas Beaulieu (IFF), Caroline Dumur (IFF), Sidonie Lancesseur (Robertet), Vincent Ricord (CPL Aroma)...

What do the initials on our fragrances stand for?

Each fragrance is named after a clue phrase, signed with the initials of an undisclosed personality. It's up to you to associate these initials with the person of your choice.

Olfactory portrait

What is the Olfactory Portrait?

Do you know your ideal perfume? Our perfumes are born from a love story, perpetuated today by singular creations with hidden messages. To find your ideal fragrance, we suggest that you create an olfactory portrait. It will reveal the fragrance that best suits your personality.

Manufacturing

Where are D'ORSAY creations made?

All the fragrances and creations of Maison D'ORSAY are designed and manufactured in France. Fragrances are made between Paris and Grasse, then packaged on site. The glasses were the subject of a dedicated production between Normandy and the Hauts de France. Solid brass objects in a Doubs jewelry workshop.

What is the origin of our ingredients?

A perfumer’s palette is always made up of natural ingredients and synthetic ingredients. Synthetic ingredients allow for example to reproduce elusive notes like for example the violet whose smell is known to escape at the moment when it is felt, they also allow the perfumer to bring a unique singularity to a basic note.

What are our commitments?

Our ingredients are responsibly sourced. Our products are never tested on animals. Our packaging is made in France from paper sourced from sustainable resources guaranteed by the Forest Stewardship Council.

HISTORICAL FRAGRANCES

Which fragrance matches with Tilleul ?

The creations of Maison D'ORSAY have been renewed in 2019, we now offer new fragrances. The eau de toilette Tilleul, historically created in 1915 is now presented under the name of Vouloir être ailleurs. C.G. Reinvented by Olivia Giacobetti in 1995, C.G. is a true perfume of comfort and tenderness, and remains one of the House's best-sellers. With this fragrance, you will be able to take all the time in the world and won't scare away happiness. You can find this fragrance on our website or in our store rue du Bac.

Which fragrance matches with Chevalier ?

Le Chevalier d'Orsay is a creation of 1911, it is a Citrus, Spicy, which is built around an ambery fern. This perfume is similar to our fragrance "C'est toujours agréable d'être attendu. O.W.", a woody, spicy, built around the main notes: Lemon, Ginger, Vetiver.

Samples

Can you send me a sample ?

With every order of perfume we offer you a sample to test your fragrance and a choice of two samples to discover new fragrances. We can't ship a single sample, but you can try our discovery boxes or sample kits that contain some of our best-selling fragrances. For every purchase of a sample kit, a code of 18€ will then be sent to you to confirm your discovery.

Singular Objects

What is the purpose of d'Orsay's Catalyse Diffuser?

The Catalytic Totem is both a scattering instrument and a decorative object that gives a powerful fragrance to your home. It is made of solid brass in a Doubs jewelry workshop. This precious object is accompanied by a first refill of 100 ml, to choose from our five iconic fragrance

What is the Ball Fetish?

The Olfactory Fetish is a precious perfumed object, for a nomadic and personal diffusion. It is offered in three sizes and fits a bag, a suitcase, a drawer, to take with you your favorite fragrance or that of your loved one. It is compatible with perfume concentrates for body or home.

Maintenance & use

How to wear your perfume?

A perfume is worn, sprayed and revealed like a state of love, gradually revealing its notes like a secret. Each pulse of your heart accentuates the expression of this fragrance on your wrists, elbows, neck and nape. Consider spraying your perfume in these areas. Avoid rubbing your wrists once the fragrance has been sprayed, as this will alter its original intent. Instead, allow it to develop tenderly.

Do not apply to irritated or freshly shaved skin.

How do I keep my candle burning?

In order to take full advantage of your D'ORSAY candle, here are the advices to follow:

- At the time of the first use, burn the candle until the whole surface becomes liquid, this will require approximately 4 hours of combustion. This will prevent the wax from hollowing out and forming a well around the wick.

- Allow the wax to solidify before relighting the candle.

- Preferably use a snuffer to avoid smoke.

- Cut the wick regularly with the wick cutter (ideal length 3 to 5 mm) to prevent the candle from smoking or the wick from falling into the wax.

- If the wick gets out of alignment, gently re-center it while the wax is still melting.

- Do not leave candle unattended and do not burn for more than four hours at a time after initial use.

- Keep the candle out of the reach of children and animals.

What is the burning time of our candles?

Le temps de brûlage de nos bougies parfumées varie en fonction du format et de l’entretien de votre mèche. Comptez environs 60 heures pour une bougie 190 grammes et 75 heures pour la bougie 250 grammes. Le format 80 grammes offre lui environs 30 heures de combustion.

Are our candles rechargeables?

200 years of history have taught us to commit to the long term. The 250g D'ORSAY candle is rechargeable. After your scented candle is consumed, you can place the refill of the fragrance of your choice in your candle glass. Check out our refills here.

The jar of our 250g candle, made by a 100-year-old Master Glassmaker, is pressed by hand. Its geometry diffracts the light in the thickness of the matter according to the verticality of the godrons. The brass base is machined from a massive piece and then polished. The candle is signed with a monogram - interlaced letters - in a modern echo of the house’s history.

How long do our diffuser refills last?

A 250 ml refill corresponds to 20 hours of continuous diffusion. We advise you to turn on the catalysis for a minimum of ten minutes (for 20 square meters) and then to turn it off once the olfactory intensity is obtained. Catalysis perfume has the advantage of remaining fragrant for a long time after the lamp is turned off.

How often should the Fetish be recharged?

The 5ml refill proposed with the object can last approximately 3 months. This indication can vary according to the type of associated fragrance and the intensity sought.

For example, with the J.R. fragrance, a floral and musky fragrance, your refill could last a little less than with T.J. a more intense, incense-like fragrance. Shake the instrument occasionally to stimulate the beads and revive the fragrance. Add concentrate as soon as the olfactory intensity diminishes (about once every three weeks).

Payment

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT METHODS OF PAYMENT

We accept payments by Blue Card (Visa, CB, Mastercard, Maestro, Visa Electron, E-carte Bleue), American Express, as well as by Paypal. If you need more information, please contact us at alfred@dorsay.com

For orders over 80€, we offer payment in 3 times free of charge via our service provider Alma. France only.

Delivery

What are our preparation times?

Each order is processed on business days. If you place an order on Saturday or Sunday, it will be processed on Monday.
You will receive an e-mail confirming the processing of your order as soon as it is ready, as well as a confirmation of its shipment with a tracking number of your package.

Shipping costs are specified at the time of ordering based on the formula selected.

The different delivery methods for France

Store pickup: Available the next day in our store, 44 rue du Bac, Paris 7e. Monday to Saturday, from 11am to 7pm

Bicycle courier delivery: Same day delivery within 5 hours for orders validated before 1pm (except Saturday and Sunday). Service available only in Paris.

Standard Delivery: You will be delivered at home, within 3 to 5 days. An e-mail will be sent to you as soon as your package is picked up by our carrier.

Express Delivery: You will be delivered at home, within 2 days. An e-mail will be sent to you as soon as our carrier takes charge of your package.

The delivery is offered from 60 euros of purchase (except courier).

The different delivery modes for Europe

Express home delivery: You will be delivered at home, via the postal service within 3 to 8 days after validation of your order. An e-mail will be sent to you with your tracking number.

DHL home delivery: You will be delivered to your home, via the DHL service within 2 days after validation of your order. An e-mail will be sent to you with your tracking number.

For orders shipped to Great Britain, Switzerland and Norway the payment of local taxes may be required upon receipt.

The delivery is offered from 180 euros of purchase (except DHL).

The different delivery methods for the international market

DHL Home Delivery

You will be delivered to your home via DHL within 2-4 days of your order being validated. An e-mail will be sent to you with your tracking number.

Due to the classification of our fragrances and room sprays as hazardous materials, these products can no longer be shipped to certain areas such as the United States. You can still order our scented candles and other accessories.

Returns

Is it possible to return your perfume?

For any purchase of a body perfume, receive a free sample* to discover the fragrance before wearing or offering it. You will then be able to return your unopened vial within 14 days and be reimbursed.

What are the return conditions for France

All our products are covered by the legal guarantee: you have a fourteen day retraction period from the date of receipt to request a return. The products must not be used, damaged or soiled and returned in their original packaging (except gift packaging) with any accessories. To exercise your right of withdrawal, simply write to us at alfred@dorsay.com indicating your order number. We may ask you for a copy of the invoice by email, before sending you the delivery instructions. Return shipping costs are at the charge of D'ORSAY. Upon receipt of your return, we will proceed to a refund on the card used for the purchase. The processing time is 2 to 6 days.

Return conditions for orders sent in Europe and abroad:

Due to the hazardous material qualification of the products in the perfume and room-spray category, it is not possible for us to offer you a return for orders shipped outside France, containing a body perfume or a room-spray. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service: alfred@dorsay.paris

Contacts

I don't receive my order, who should I contact ?

For more information about your order, our services are available from Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm. Send your request to alfred@dorsay.com, specifying the order number and tracking number. A response will be provided within 24 hours.

I need help choosing a creation

Our advisors are available from 11:00 to 19:00 from Monday to Saturday to answer your questions or to introduce you to the history of the Maison D'Orsay. + 33 (0)1 56 43 10 57<