Travel sometimes takes me to the past. I found this store in New York City and was transported to another time.
It is the oldest candle maker in the world, so you can imagine what it was like entering their new space in Greenwich Village, an odd location for a really upscale store like this. Somehow I thought it would be better suited to Chelsea or Tribeca or even Soho. That said, I felt tremendously lucky to have found it.
"In 1643, a salesman named Claude Trudon arrives in Paris. He soon becomes the owner of a shop on Saint-Honore street thanks to a fruitful and happy marriage. Among groceries, the store also provides its customers with wax, candles for any domestic usage as well as church candles to the neighboring Saint Roch parish."
That was written in the 18th century, and the original store still exists in Paris today. The company makes candles for all the top French brands, including Hermes and Cartier. They still make the candles for the Chateau de Versailles.
As I walked in, I expected to be overwhelmed by aromas from the candles. Not a whiff. Almost all of the candles are under glass to preserve their scent until you lift the glass to smell them.
Except of course for these beautiful tapers.
What a treasure trove of visual treats. The color of the paneling, the wax busts, the antiques for lighting candles and displaying them.....all were from a distant past when light bulbs hadn't been thought of and candles were vital to survival as well as love.
I loved that they had so many candles lit and it was not even noon. It made a point. Candles are not just for the dark.
These are some of the less expensive and absolutely delightful smelling candles you can find there. Most of the candles are quite pricey, however, considering that they burn at least 80 hours makes them actually reasonable. The quality and the colors and dyes and perfect fragrances all combine to make these some of the finest candles in the world.
For instance, these pillars with individual cameos are $130. They come packed in a beautiful grey and red box with a book about the candle maker.
The candle on the left under glass (cloche) is their signature candle. The gold coat of arms of the candle maker is on the front. It is hard to make out, but it is of a bee hive, with bees and the caption, "Bees work for God and the King." They come in a small travel size all the way up to a huge 7 pound candle. All are set in hand blown glasses from Vinci in Italy.
My favorite? Has to be their candle scent called "Mademoiselle de la Valliere" because it is all tuberose, my favorite flower. All the scents are magnificent though and their descriptions delightful.
Carmelite sent: "The perfume of old stonewalls, in the shade of cloisters and convents, this scent of fresh and mossy stone tells us about the black and white silhouettes of sisters moving in the silence of ritual mass. Under the light of votives and psalmody, Carmelite refers to the peace of souls and eternity."
CIRE TRUDON, 78 rue de Seine, Paris http://ciretrudon.com http://blog.ciretrudon.com
54 Bond Street, New York, New York
Comments