Trudon is one of the oldest and most prestigious luxury candle and perfume manufacturers in the world, tracing its roots back to 1643 when Claude Trudon opened a store in Paris that sold wax, candles and spices.
Over the centuries, Trudon became the candle supplier to the French royal court, providing exquisite candles for the likes of Louis XIV and Napoleon Bonaparte. The company maintained its reputation through the French Revolution and beyond by creating high-quality candles made from the finest beeswax, known for their slow burn and clean fragrance.
Today, Trudon candles are celebrated for their craftsmanship, blending centuries-old traditions with modern luxury. The brand offers a wide range of fragrances, each inspired by history, culture, and nature. Trudon collaborates with skilled perfumers to create rich, complex scents housed in their signature hand-blown glass vessels, making their candles not just a product but a work of art. Each candle evokes a story, with fragrances named after historical figures, events, or even literary works, enhancing their timeless appeal in the world of luxury home decor. At the heart of the brand’s vision today is Creative Director Julien Pruvost, who is tasked with balancing the history and traditions of the brand with modern times. Here we find out more about this historical brand as it opens its first store in Dubai.
Tell us about the universe of Trudon.
The world of Trudon lies at the crossroads of secular uninterrupted know-how, French history and the sophisticated art of perfumery. The result is the most advanced and refined proposal of interior fragrances, presented in the form of candles and a unique collection of fine fragrances.
What is your current focus for the brand?
Our focus is continuously perfecting our art, craft and products and developing beautiful fine fragrances with carefully sourced raw materials.
What do you think clients are looking to get from Trudon’s products?
A product that tells a story in the most authentic way, whether through its core values as a living heritage company or through its perspective on contemporary perfumery. Trudon is a true classic in the sense that it connects the past with current needs and desires.
Working with such a historical brand, how do you honour its heritage while still ensuring you are creating products that are relevant today?
By staying true to our roots, which are condensed in our past, present and future, as manufacturers of our own products. And, of course, through continuously exploring the realm of possibilities with our partner perfumers.
Can you share a little about the savoir-faire and craftsmanship of the brand and how you sustain some of the old-age techniques?
For one, all Trudon candles are at least 80 per cent handmade. Our large five-wick candles for example, are each signed and dated by the craftsman who made them. Of course, we have adapted our techniques to manufacture products that are relevant today. Finally, work conditions are absolutely incomparable with the past and guarantee the well-being of our artisans.
Tell us about the brand in the Middle East.
Our presence is very selective, thanks to our strong partnership with Action Group. We currently have a store in Kuwait City and in Dubai, with more projects to come.
What are some of the products that you feel are particularly suited to this region?
The region has such a deep perfume culture that we are not one to teach but rather propose our own traditions and quality. All our products and, in particular, our great formats are very well suited for the homes in the region. I believe the Middle Eastern customer is very discerning, and because we work with some of the best suppliers of raw materials in the world, I think that many of our interior fragrances and fine fragrances may be appealing.
We have seen some great collaborations – can we expect more of this?
Yes! This has become a modern tradition at Trudon, stay tuned! In the meantime, you can enjoy our current collaborations with Giambattista Valli and Zimmerman.
What’s the biggest challenge you face in your position today?
Trudon is continuously a source of inspiration for our competitors, and renewing ourselves is also a matter of survival. On a more personal level, the challenge is to balance the fantastic heritage of the company with modern needs and desires.
How do you incorporate sustainability at Trudon?
We incorporate sustainability at all levels, but especially at the industrial, product development and logistics levels. It is a continuous work in progress to lower our environmental impact. Since 2018, we have incorporated financed a project that directly contributes to the protection and conservation of biodiversity. We are the proud sponsors of an endemic Dark Bee conservation project in Normandy, which mission is to maintain a very important species of pollinators that are crucial to humankind. The project is monitored by the French Scientific Board and we contribute financially directly and indirectly through the sales of our CIRE collection.
What inspires you?
My family, my perfumer friends, History and craftmanship.
Looking ahead, what is the vision and direction of the brand moving forward?
Staying true to our roots, keeping on proposing a product that is embedded in tradition and know-how, becoming an even bigger reference in the realm of fine fragrances allowing customers to feel surprised and joyful when using our products.
What else is in the pipeline for you this year?
A new Trudon fine fragrance called Absolu, an original tribute to orange blossom, beautiful Trudon hand soaps representing two of our best sellers in the perfume range: Vixi and Médie, and probably the most sophisticated holiday collection we have ever produced, launching mid-October worldwide.
What is a message you would send to our readers?
If you are already a Trudon customer, thank you very much for your appreciation! I hope you will keep on enjoying our products and discover more in the future. For those hearing about us for the first time and if you have a little time, please listen or read about our rich history as the former Royal Wax Manufacturer under Louis 14. You will find a fragrance you love at Trudon.
