Interview: career portrait of Esther, Tour Guide-Saleswoman at Galimard
Written on 11 February 2025
No matter how you first discovered Maison Galimard—whether through a visit to one of our locations, a perfume creation workshop, or an online purchase—you know that behind every service is a passionate and motivated team that loves sharing its enthusiasm for perfumes and their derivatives. Whether in person in Grasse or Èze-Village, over the phone, or via our website, we are always committed to guiding and advising you in the best possible way, as your satisfaction is our priority. But who are the people who contribute to the success of our Maison? That’s what we invite you to discover through a fun Q&A session.
One of our most experienced guides at the Galimard factory in Grasse is the first to take part in this interview, and we thank her! Originally from the Netherlands, Esther is a guide-saleswoman who conducts tours in multiple languages: French, English, Dutch, German… and even Hebrew!
Hello Esther, what year did you join Galimard?
Hello, it was in 1992!
In your opinion, what makes Maison Galimard unique?
Over the past 33 years, I’ve witnessed many changes, but what remains constant and makes this perfumery so special is its long history and family-oriented character.
What is your best memory at Galimard?
I have so many good memories… but off the top of my head, I think of the Football World Cups when my colleagues and I matched our outfits to our national team’s colors! I also remember a particularly lively tour where I managed to get Dutch clients to sing their national anthem!
Do you remember the first Galimard perfume you wore? Does it still exist?
It was called “Frisson”, and I loved it because it contained tuberose. It no longer exists, but luckily, I can still find tuberose in “À Demi-Mot“, which is a small consolation.
What perfume(s) do you wear today?
“Printemps Étoilé” and especially “Solenzara“, which reminds me of a sun-drenched Corsican village with notes of rockrose and myrtle. To me, it smells like a vacation in the South, and I love that!
Do you change your perfume according to the seasons?
Yes, in winter, I wear « Nuit câline » or « Canaïca ».
I love it because it also makes me feel like I’m traveling! When I smell it, I imagine cherry blossoms in Japan—such a soft and exotic image.
If you could create your own perfume, what notes would you choose?
Cedarwood, tuberose, iris, violet, mandarin, and mint.
What perfume do you like to gift to a man/woman?
If I don’t know the person well, I go for classic bestsellers: “1747” for a man and “Pêle-Mêle” for a woman. If it’s for someone closer to me, I gift my favorites: “Quai des Brumes” for a man and “Printemps Étoilé”, “Solenzara”, or “Ruby Chéri” for a woman.
If you were to give a gift to someone who doesn’t wear perfume, what would you choose from the boutique?
I love giving the body scrub because it’s a product I personally enjoy and use. And my go-to safe bet is always a home fragrance.
Speaking of which, what is your favorite home fragrance?
“Bois et Tonka”, which I find very elegant, and “Rose/Musk” for its refinement.
Let’s talk about beauty routines—what cosmetic product(s) from Galimard do you use?
As I mentioned earlier, I love the body scrub, and for my face, I really like the texture of the “Lumière cream”. I also use the “Elixir Précieux Lumière” because I feel like it brightens my eyes.
Galimard’s product range is constantly evolving. Is there a product that no longer exists that you miss?
Yes, three of them: the “Frisson” perfume, the little bath pearl animals I used to gift my son on weekends, and the 200g soaps.
Over all these years, you’ve given factory tours to hundreds of people. Do you have a funny anecdote that stands out?
There are quite a few, but one that stands out the most is this: When I present the products, I like to engage my clients by giving little nicknames to the perfumes I love, such as calling one the “Oh là là”perfume to highlight its seductive (even aphrodisiac!) qualities. Well, believe it or not, one day, our sales department received an email from a customer complaining about the ineffectiveness of the “Oh là là” perfume—despite numerous sprays, the woman he was pursuing had not fallen under his charm!
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