Open the door of the Trudon store in Paddington and you are immediately seduced by the intoxicating waft of jasmine, candied chestnuts, Turkish roses and wild herbs. After almost four centuries in continuous business, the company that began in 1643 – supplying candles to the church and the courts of Louis XIV and Napoleon – has crafted a rich array of scents, waxes and wicks that has made it one of the world’s most coveted luxury candle brands.

“A Trudon candle embodies iconic moments in French history and centuries of constantly evolving artisanal know-how that we now tell as scented stories,” Trudon executive director and CEO Julien Pruvost tells Broadsheet.

The latest chapter in that story is the French company’s first boutique in Australia – and only its sixth in the world – at the Intersection designer shopping precinct in Paddington.

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“Australia is one of our top markets and demand is strong and growing,” says Pruvost. “I first visited the neighbourhood a few years ago and I immediately thought it would be a good match for Trudon. It is chic, central, historical and not overcrowded.”

In the congested candle market, it’s the level of refinement Trudon brings to its scents that sets the brand apart.

“In the beginning, perfumers thought we were burning money, but as candle manufacturers we strive to bring the highest level of quality to all our fragrances,” says Pruvost. “We put tremendous care into sourcing the right raw materials and wax formulas and we are constantly looking for and testing new materials.”

In the Paddington flagship you will find the entire Trudon range, including products never before available in Australia, such as its pillar and taper candles, its Royale and Serdar Gulgun brass and silver collections, and eau de parfums, of which the spicy and richly resinous Olim is a standout.

The fragrant array is set against a handsome backdrop designed by French architect Fabrizio Casiraghi, combining classic Trudon elements such as wood, brass and deep navy accents, with an aesthetic that recalls European boutiques of the 1950s.

The customer service is as elevated as the candles: clients are offered an in-store consultation prior to purchasing, and Trudon is also hosting private masterclasses and other events.

“From the start, when we started exporting to Australia, Trudon met a strong, loyal and discerning customer base,” says Pruvost. “This opening represents a new opportunity for us to express our heritage and know-how in a larger and more complete setting.”

Trudon
Shop 12/2–16 Glenmore Road, Paddington

Hours:
Mon to Wed 10am–5.30pm
Thu 10am–6pm
Fri 10am–5.30pm
Sat 9am–5.30pm
Sun 10am–5pm

trudon.com.au