Cire Trudon is a French luxury candle manufacturer established in 1643, making it the oldest candlemaker in the world still in operation. The company was founded in Paris as a wax and candle supplier and served as the official candle provider to the French royal court from the reign of Louis XIV onward. Cire Trudon supplied candles to the Palace of Versailles and numerous French churches and cathedrals, including Notre-Dame de Paris, for centuries.
The brand transitioned from ecclesiastical and royal candle-making to luxury home fragrances in the early 2000s under the creative direction of the current ownership. The candles are manufactured at a factory in Normandy, France, using a blend of vegetable and mineral waxes. Each candle is hand-poured and features a distinctive glass vessel with a hand-applied cameo medallion depicting Napoleon, one of the brand's historical patrons.
Cire Trudon's home fragrance range includes scented candles in classic (270g), intermediate (800g), and large (3kg) sizes, as well as room sprays and reed diffusers. The fragrance portfolio encompasses approximately 30 scents, many with historical or literary references. Notable fragrances include Abd el Kader (Moroccan mint tea), Josephine (named after Empress Josephine, featuring floral notes), Ernesto (inspired by a leather-bound library), and Spiritus Sancti (incense). The brand also produces limited-edition and seasonal collections.
Distribution is through Cire Trudon's own boutiques in Paris, London, and New York, alongside luxury department stores such as Bergdorf Goodman, Le Bon Marche, and Harrods, as well as select specialty retailers and the brand's e-commerce platform.