Perfume and the use of essential oils dates as bar back to the ancient Egyptians who used it for religious rituals. In the 1650s, perfumed gloves became all the range in France probably due to the fact that Catherine Medici was quite a fan of them in her native Florence and brought them with her when she married the future king of France, Henry II.  

France is known the world over as the perfume capital of the world, particularly the region of Grasse in the south of France where the particular microclimate has helped cultivate thousands of flowers and plants to produce 2/3 of France's natural aromas. C'est incroyable, non?

Perfumes and oils were considered highly luxurious and only the very wealthy could afford such luxuries. It makes sense then that the vessels in which perfumes were housed in had to be little pieces of art themselves! And of course the labels... which is really what started this whole journal post, the labels of French perfume bottles were intricately painted canvases for artists. 

French perfume bottles were swathed in flowers of every imaginable kind that would recall the pleasure of walking through a scent filled floral garden. Roses, lilies, jasmine, violets... anything that would remind the wearer that she herself was a jewel of a flower.

It bares noting that perfumes and oils were mostly used to cover up body odors and other offensive smells... apparently baths were not all the rage. While I was in France visiting Versailles last Autumn, I was told that King Louis the XIV had essential oils mixed into the fountains in his gardens as to help cover up the stench of urine and feces. Mmm...delightful! 

Remember that one of the first appearance of perfumes arrived in France in the form of scented gloves as worn by Catherine de Medici... which of course makes sense because when you're holding your nose due to an unpleasant odor in the air or coming across a marbled walkway where men have decided to relieve themselves along the walls all summer long, well, a scented gloved hand would be a Godsend!

-  F I N  -

Petits Plaisirs are short quips and entries in the mypiggywiggy journal of the little things we find pleasure and delight in throughout everyday life. If you have a suggestion for a future post or enjoyed this article, do leave us a comment below!

During this time, the aristocracy throughout Europe luxuriated in their soaring wealth by designing elaborately planned, man-made gardens around the palaces, manors, villas and castles in which many of them lived. Simply for the pleasure of it! Well, and also to show off to the other aristocrats just how much money they had. Just imagine....even a lord or lady who owned 100 of acres of land and worked it into arable soil for produce and agriculture still clearly displayed a need to work for one's income. To have so much wealth that you can dedicate miles of property simply to the beauty and pleasure of intricately designed hedges and splashing fountains...now that is a very different level!

Take a look through these photos we've put together of some of Europe's most beautiful pleasure gardens. Doesn't it just make you daydream of strolling around these beautiful parks on a cool and sunny morning in a floral dress and basket purse in hand, ready to picnic? We can't wait for warmer days when we can live out these wishes!

Palais de Versailles

Les Faits (the facts):

1. It started out as a humble, stone hunting lodge conveniently situated among forested land. In 1631, King Louis XIII renovated it to suit royals as a getaway lodge. About 50 years later, in 1682, his son and successor King Louis XIV moved the aristocracy of the day into this palace, laying claim to it as the official Royal seat of France. 
2. When King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette were the last royal family to live in Versailles. The Royal couple and their children were threatened by the angry public of the revolution to leave the safety of their palace and come to Paris to confront answer to the unfair prices of daily necessities, never to return (1793). 
3. It became a museum for the public in 1833, about 30 years after the French revolution came to an end. Since the 1830s, the palace has undergone subtle renovations to restore it to its prior glory, though much of the original furniture and paintings were sold to private collectors and museums after the fall of the the King and Queen. 

Belvedere Palace

Les Faits:

1. Built in 1717 as a summer home to Prince Eugene of Savoy
2. The building houses one of the world's most extensive and large collection of Gustav Klimt's works. 
3. Made up of the Upper Belvedere, the Lower Belvedere and the gardens. 

Les Faits:

1. Built in the 18th century as a gift to from Queen Anne to John Churchill, a military commander, for his victory in the Battle of Blenheim in 1704.
2. Known as "the real Downtown Abbey"
3. The birthplace of Winston Churchill
4. The only non-royal, non-episcopal building in England with the title of "Palace"

Paleis Het Loo 

Les Faits:

1. The symmetrical, 17th century garden and surrounding park encompasses almost 40 square miles
2. Dubbed "The Versailles of Holland"
3. William III of England had this property built to distinguish his and wife, Princess Mary Stuart to exemplify their new royal and wealthy status.

What to Wear to A Pleasure Garden

Now that you have the imagery to spark all sorts of fantastic day dreams strolling among statues and carved hedges in the England countryside, allow us to help you figure out the appropriate wardrobe! 

As you'll probably find yourself among bright green grass and colorful spring flowers, one ought to choose something a bit more subdued to compliment the scenery instead of clashing with it.

We love the pairing of a sweet white Edwardian inspired (or actual vintage) camisole top and a timelessly feminine a-line midi skirt. If you want to elevate the formality just a tad, choose a vintage inspired dress that is comfortable and classic, like a cotton wrap dress or muted floral button down. Make sure to choose something with pockets as you'll most likely be tempted to take home a keepsake pebble or flower to press in your journal when you return home! (Just make sure you know the rules of flower picking ahead of time)

Add a straw hat, a little neck scarf and a leather shoulder bag for collecting treasures.

Bonus Reading Material

If you liked this article, please say so in the comments below! Or if you have any extra fun facts to add, anecdotes about visiting any of these gardens, we would love to hear from you. 

You might also like some of our flower-focused articles, like...

• "Notes from Yesteryear / Walled Gardens of the Arts and Crafts Era" 
• "Floral Arrangements Inspired by The Dutch Masters"
• "How To Make Mini Dried Flower Bouquets"