Papier d’armenie: Beautiful French Perfumed Incense Booklets

Papier d’armenie: beautiful little French booklets containing strips of perfumed incense paper, that when burned create a gorgeous perfumed scent for your home

 

 

Continuing my lovely things feature my spotlight here is on the beautiful little French perfumed booklets of Papier d’armenie.

These little booklets are simple yet luxurious. They are a great example of something lovely that is simple and easy to experience in everyday life.

I first visited Paris many many years ago and I was intrigued to find little scented paper booklets in a small pharmacy store.

I don’t remember now if there was a display that indicated to me what these little fragrant booklets were for, or whether a worker in the store explained to me what they were used for, but I know I left that pharmacy knowing that I had a booklet of paper that was to be burned to create a pleasant smell.

This may sound like a strange concept, but all over France Papier d’armenie is known for its wonderful scent and is used throughout French homes to perfume and purify.

Of course the French do everything so stylishly, and that includes burning paper too!  The little paper booklets are pretty to look at and a treasure to just hold.

Just a small strip of paper that is ripped from the booklet is burned to create a rich perfumed aroma for deodorizing and purifying any room.

Papier d’armenie is particularly good for hiding cooking smells, the smells of smoking and tobacco, animals and more. Or just simply to perfume and purify the air in your home.

Photo image: Papier d’armenie

What is Papier d’armenie?

Papier d’armenie is French incense paper that comes in little paper booklets. It is a staple in many French homes to deodorize rooms and purify the air.

It is also known as Armenian paper, as its use stems from the country of Armenia where its use was first discovered by a French creator.

These little paper booklets have been produced in a Paris suburb continually since 1885. Today they remain a family business with a loyal and dedicated staff.

Papier d’armenie was first created when Auguste Ponsot visited Armenia and noticed that the locals there scented and disinfected their homes by burning benzoin resin (a natural substance from the Styrax tree).

Intrigued by this practice back in France Auguste worked with a pharmacist, who discovered that by dissolving benzoin resin in alcohol created a persistent odor.  Adding perfume to that odor created a beautiful scent.

Each little booklet takes 6 months to produce, and has 12 production stages, making it worthy of a luxury item that is crafted and lovingly created.

There are several different types of paper booklets – the traditional green booklet, Armenie which is blue, and Rose which is pink.  There are also scented candles in all 3 of the different fragrances.

Photo image: Papier d’armenie

How do you use Papier d’armenie?

Each booklet of Papier d’armenie contains many pages of paper strips, about 3 strips per page.

To use you simply tear off one of the paper strips, fold it in an accordian shape, place it on a plate or other surface, and light it while slightly blowing on it, so that it burns slowly without being set completely on fire.

Papier d’armenie does sell special incense burners to burn the paper strips. But you can place them on any burn-proof surface.

It is traditional to burn these papers several times a week in French homes, to perfume the air, get rid of smells, and also to purify the air too.

You can also use these little strips without burning by placing them inside and between items. They can fragrance drawers, closets, wardrobes, and even books.

 

Photo image: Papier d’armenie

Related: Follow these French Chateau Restorations

How to Burn Papier d’armenie

The official instructions for Papier d’armenie state that you can burn it in your hand or on a plate, which blowing on it slightly so that it burns slowly and does not catch completely alight.

It is best to burn these little papers on a burn-proof safe surface. A plate is good to use, or a small dish. Papier d’armenie does sell special incense burners for the purpose also.

Photo image: Papier d’armenie

What Does Papier d’armenie Smell Like?

As it burns Papier d’armenie gives off the scents of vanilla, incense and myrrh, and other woody scents.

It is a pleasant scent that is liked by pretty much everybody. It is not too intense or overwhelming.  

The air of your home after burning these papers will be beautiful to smell, and will neutralize any other odors in your home.

It is a little bit of luxury for your home that can be used every day!

Photo image: Papier d’armenie

Papier d’armenie: beautiful little booklets containing strips of perfumed incense paper, that when burned creates a gorgeous perfumed scent