From Cire Trudon to Diptyque, Here Are 10 French Candles That Make My NYC Apartment Feel Like It’s on the Boulevard Saint-Germain

First and foremost, Cire Trudon is one of France’s oldest and most prestigious fragrance houses. This brand originally supplied wax to the royal court and the great churches of France, and its history is woven into every detail—from the antique-inspired vessels to the opulent scents that feel straight out of a historical romance. The scent I’m most taken by? The Joséphine candle, a tribute to Joséphine Bonaparte’s love of gardens. It’s a lush bouquet of Turkish rose, Egyptian jasmine and Chinese camellia—all grounded by warm base notes of white musk and Indonesian sandalwood. Lighting this candle feels like walking through a sun-drenched garden at dawn—it’s fresh, floral and sophisticated without being cloying. The 55- to 60-hour burn time also helps justify the splurge, especially since the premium vegetable wax formula burns evenly every time. It’s strong enough to fill my entire living room without feeling overpowering—and let’s not ignore the gorgeous green glass vessel which doubles as a work of art.

Founded on Paris’s Boulevard Saint-Germain, Diptyque practically goes hand in hand with the French girl’s capsule wardrobe. The brand started as a boutique selling fabrics and fragrances, but it quickly became iconic for its minimalist oval labels and meticulously crafted candles. Take my favorite scent, Feu de Bois, for example. It’s the epitome of cozy with smoky, woody notes that perfectly capture the essence of a crackling winter fireplace. It starts subtle but builds to a rich, layered aroma in about 20 minutes. I also burn it constantly during winter—it’s my go-to for curling up with a book or unwinding after a long day—and at 6.5 ounces, it lasts around 50 hours (or three solid weeks of daily burning). 

OK everyone—if you’re looking for la crème de la crème of luxe French fragrances, Maison Francis Kurkdjian should be your first choice. Known for its collaborations with legendary artisans (yes, I’m talking about Baccarat), the brand brings haute couture straight into your home. More specifically, the Baccarat Rouge 540 candle, which is a Parisian staple that lives up to its TikTok cult status. This signature scent is a warm, floral-woody blend of jasmine, saffron, cedarwood and ambergris—a combination that feels both opulent and inviting. When lit, it fills my entire apartment with an aroma so rich, it’s like slipping into an indulgent silk robe. It also has a burn time of up to 55 hours, and the mineral and vegetable wax blend burns cleanly every time (making the splurge feel more than justified). Every time I light it, I’m transported to a five-star Parisian suite—minus jet lag.

If you love the Le Labo’s Santal 33 perfume, let me introduce you to your new obsession: Maison Louis Marie’s No.04 Bois de Balincourt candle. Founded by French botanist Louis Marie Aubert du Petit Thouars, this family-run brand has been perfecting the art of fragrance for centuries—and it shows. No.04 closely mimics Le Labo’s signature warm, woodsy scent where it includes top notes of sandalwood and cedarwood, a spicy heart of nutmeg and cinnamon and a cozy amber wood base. It’s earthy, romantic and just the right amount of bold. Better yet, it was inspired by the family’s Balincourt estate, so the scent feels like a serene walk through a timeworn property on a crisp fall day. The 8.5-ounce size gives you about 60 hours of burn time, and at just $38, it’s an affordable indulgence I keep gifting—and re-gifting—to myself.

Carrière Frères may not have the same mainstream recognition as its sister brand, Cire Trudon, but it’s been quietly perfecting the art of candle-making since 1884. All of its candles draw inspiration from the natural world—and nowhere is that more evident than in its lavender candle, which is hand-poured in Normandy. Picture yourself wandering through the sun-soaked lavender fields of Provence where the air is fresh, floral and slightly herbal. That’s exactly what this candle captures with a true-to-nature lavender scent that feels both calming and invigorating. The 100 percent vegetable wax is also vegan-friendly, and it offers a 40- to 45-hour burn time that fills my bathroom when I’m unwinding after a long day. To that end, lavender is known for its stress-relieving properties, so this candle feels like a mini spa session every time I light it.

If you’ve ever dreamed of strolling through a rose garden in Grasse—aka the perfume capital of France—this Voluspa candle is the next best thing. The Rose Otto fragrance is a romantic blend of Rosa Damascena flower tops, Bulgarian rose and pink peony, striking the perfect balance between fresh and floral without being overwhelming. I love lighting this in the morning—it transforms my bedroom into a serene, luxurious escape that feels like the pages of a classic love story. And of course, the real show-stopper is its design: It comes in a macaron-sized glass vessel with a faceted texture and delicate blush hue that screams Emily in Paris vibes. The coconut wax blend burns cleanly for up to 15 hours, delivering a consistent fragrance throw that lasts—and I’ve already repurposed a finished macaron to hold my earrings. (For $15, it’s petite yet impactful scent and this set of five from the collection is my go-to Valentines Day gift). 

Known for its artisanal approach to fragrance-making, Le Labo may have been founded in New York, but its roots are steeped in French craftsmanship. (The name literally translates to “the lab,” a nod to its meticulous, almost scientific scent formulas that feel personal and evocative.) Santal 26 is no exception: this candle blends smoky sandalwood, leathery musk and spicy cedarwood into a finish that feels both grounding and luxurious. In fact, I have it lit on my desk right now, and it’s the kind of scent that makes me picture myself sinking into a worn leather armchair with a glass of wine in hand. What really sets it apart, though, is how the fragrance lingers long after the flame is out. With an 80-hour burn time, it keeps my space smelling like a cozy library for weeks—and the sleek glass vessel is a design statement, even when unlit.

If you love the idea of being whisked away to the French Riviera (without leaving your couch), you’re going to be obsessed with this Saint-Tropez scent. Founded in the '90s by a group of friends inspired by European elegance, Tocca has become synonymous with timeless, transportive fragrances—which was clear after the very first light of this candle. The scent wraps you in a lush bouquet of Centifolia roses and soft iris root: floral, airy and just the right amount of sophisticated. Even on a 23-degree snowy day, it instantly takes me to a breezy Mediterranean afternoon with yachts gently rocking in the harbor. The soy-blend wax burns cleanly for up to 60 hours, filling my space with the kind of ambiance that makes a seaside escape feel entirely within reach. And the cobalt-blue glass vessel? It’s a chic keepsake—like something you’d find on a perfectly curated Saint-Tropez coffee table.

If Paris is always a good idea, this candle from Baobab is the ultimate indulgence for bringing the city home. Though the brand is rooted in Belgian craftsmanship, it draws heavy inspiration from its European neighbor—which is clear from every fragrance note to the design of this candle itself. The scent—a blend of linden, tulip and chestnut tree blossoms—is fresh and subtly floral, like a spring breeze in the Jardin des Tuileries. And don’t even get me started on the design: the powder pink and gold glass, inspired by the Eiffel Tower, adds such an elegant touch to my dining table that I almost don’t want to burn it (almost). But with a 30-hour burn time, I get plenty of ambiance out of this two-wick candle. The fragrance is soft yet distinctive, perfectly complementing a batch of croissants in the oven while making me dream of café-hopping along the Seine.

When I first lit this candle by Mise en Scènt—a Brooklyn-based brand that draws scent inspiration from iconic films—I could immediately see why it was named “French New Wave.”I was instantly reminded of Paris Belongs to Us, where the sharp top notes of grapefruit, ginger and lemon carry a brightness that mirrors the film’s raw energy. Meanwhile, the jasmine, pink pepper and sandalwood settle into something moody and intriguing—like wandering through the film’s shadowy Parisian streets. The sleek black glass vessel feels equally cinematic, like a perfectly framed still from one of the film’s most enigmatic scenes. Personally, it’s my favorite niche pick on this list, and its 50-hour burn time has offered plenty of time to binge Letterboxd films I’ve been missing.