PARMA the City of PERFUME
Parma the city of Perfume is a unique and exclusive opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of the city and discover, through an olfactory journey, the tradition of perfume and the protagonists of its supply chain in Parma from 1816 till today. An important history but still little known by the general public.
The greenhouses of the Ducal Park introduce us to the discovery of the botanical characteristics of the famous “Violetta di Parma”, already present within the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza in the second half of the Eighteenth Century. The great success of the small flower under the First and Second Empire is widely testified by the collections of the Glauco Lombardi Museum, where numerous traces of Maria Luigia of Austria’s predilection for the violet can be found in furnishings and decorative arts. This passion for the little flower gave birth to the perfume that later became a symbol of the city and the Duchess.
The visit to Violetta di Parma 1930 shop allows us to trace the life of Ludovico Borsari, to learn about the famous products made by the Borsari Company during the first half of the Twentieth Century and the contemporary local glass industry represented by the Bormioli Company.
We will continue with a visit to the San Filippo Neri Antique Pharmacy, a fascinating place hidden in the heart of the historic center, guardian of the cosmetic and pharmaceutical heritage of the city. A galenic laboratory that has preserved untouched its structure dating back to 1789, the perfect place to discover, touch and smell the raw materials once used by apothecaries and perfumers and flip through the ancient recipe books based on natural ingredients, a legacy of ancient knowledge.
We will discover the history of the companies of the Parma perfume supply chain, which arose many years ago, by intuition of the founders, in small laboratories, to grow to the point to have become some of the major references worldwide for perfumery packaging, bottles, caps and labels.
Two hundred years of professionalism and entrepreneurial competence have made the city of Parma an important productive center of international perfumery, thanks to the presence of companies specialized in the creation of essences and in the realization of all the components of the product. The complete supply chain linked to the world of perfume still makes Parma a unique case in Italy.
Our experience ends with a visit to an Acqua di Parma store, to get to know the brand from its origins to new variations, an engaging olfactory experience which introduces you to Artistic perfumery.
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Departure: suggested time 9.00, 9.30, 10.00 am and 2.00, 2.30, 3.00 pm; private tours can start at whatever time requested
Duration: 3 h
Inclusions
- Professional local guide
- Glauco Lombardi Museum entrance fees
- San Filippo Neri Antique Pharmacy and Oratory of San Tiburzio entrance fees
- A visit to Violetta di Parma 1930 shop
- A visit to an Acqua di Parma store
Know Before You Book
- A moderate amount of walking is involved (2 km)
- It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes without high heels
- This is a private tour, run exclusively for you and your family or friends
Meeting Point
- Ponte Giuseppe Verdi, Parma PR, Italy
We will meet in front of the entrance to the Ducal Park, located at the intersection of Ponte Verdi – Via dei Farnese – Strada delle Fonderie. The historic center of Parma is closed to traffic. The most convenient parking is the Toschi Parking. The meeting place can be easily reached on foot in 5 minutes.
The Parma City of Perfume experience is available from Monday to Saturday. Perfume shops are closed on Sundays. The Glauco Lombardi Museum is closed on Mondays.