Napoleon… From the iconic road to perfume, a whole history !
Written on 12 August 2024
In all seasons, but especially in summer, many people come to discover our beautiful region.
One of the most popular access routes for motorcyclists and motorists alike is the legendary Route Napoléon. Over 300 km long, its route from Golfe-Juan to Grenoble offers a wide variety of beautiful landscapes.
Part of the route follows Napoleon’s return from Elba in March 1815 to regain power : he landed with a thousand men at Golfe-Juan on March 1, 1815, and Grasse was his second stop after Cannes.
Indeed, it was above the city of perfumes, on the Plateau de Roquevignon (today also known as the « Plateau Napoléon ») that he bivouacked with his troops on March 2, after crossing the town.
It was this page of history that inspired our house at the end of 2014 : the bicentenary of Napoleon’s passage through Grasse had to be commemorated, and what could be more natural than to create a fragrance for the occasion ?
This time, the name came before the perfume : Napoléon 1815 was the obvious choice, and from there our perfumer set to work on the creation, following a very precise idea : to pay as much tribute to the emperor as to the region he passed through on his journey.
This legendary fragrance opens on the top note with the fresh, natural essences of citron and mandarin to recall the emperor’s native Corsica, then continues on the middle note with the olfactory notes of jasmine and rose, emblematic flowers of Grasse. Sandalwood, patchouli, vetiver and vanilla ensure long-lasting fragrance. The smoky scent of vetiver evokes the leather boots of the soldiers who accompanied Napoleon, while the earthiness of patchouli recalls the ground trodden by horses. The result is a fragrance where character mingles with gentleness, making Napoléon 1815 a fragrance for men of all ages, to be worn on any occasion.
To give « Napoléon 1815 » is to give a fragment of French history linked to scents that for many evoke the road to vacation. It’s the ideal gift for a refined man, a history buff or a motorcyclist who loves the scenery between Grenoble and Grasse. It’s the perfect souvenir to bring back from a vacation spent in our beautiful region.
The historic Galimard Napoléon 1815 fragrance is presented in an elegant bottle and box in the imperial colors of gold and green.
« Napoléon 1815 » is available online, of course, but why not take to the road, windows open, to intoxicate yourself with the scents of Provence and prepare for the olfactory discovery of this mythical fragrance in one of our boutiques ? We’ll be delighted to welcome you and help you discover this little jewel in our men’s fragrance collection.
See also
Interview: professional portrait of Véronique, Galimard’s longest-serving guide
Written on 2 June 2025
Welcome to Galimard! We would like to introduce you to one of our team members: Véronique The most tenured guide of our legendary perfume house is Véronique, a véritable jack of all trades. She welcomes, teaches, and guides clients from across the world through the Galimard factory with a professionalism and humor that leaves a […]
HÉRITAGE – An Ode to Grasse
Written on 22 April 2025
As we saw with Ruby Chéri, beautiful stories often begin with a meaningful encounter. This spring of 2025, our Maison de Parfums embarks on a new chapter with the launch of HÉRITAGE—a fragrant tribute to the city where perfumery was born and flourished. At its heart, HÉRITAGE is also a story of encounters, and we […]
Celebrating 10 years of «Napoléon 1815»
Written on 12 March 2025
March 2025 marks a special moment for the history of France – it marks the landing of Napoleon Bonaparte on his return from the Island of Elba in 1815. To commemorate the date, celebrations are organized in Vallauris and Golfe-Juan. Re-enactments in traditional costume, conferences, shows… the program is rich with cultural meaning and attracts […]