Florence: Perfume Masterclass & Create Your Own Fragrance

Florence fragrance workshop in historic lab with master perfumer guiding you through every step

You’ll step into an atmospheric Florentine lab dating back centuries, guided by a master perfumer as you blend your own signature fragrance from rare essences. Enjoy stories of Renaissance alchemists over coffee or tea before bottling your creation. A personalized scent that will always remind you of Florence’s hidden corners and gentle light.

Step-by-step itinerary

Perfume masterclass in historic workshop

• Meet master perfumer at workshop
• Learn Florentine alchemy techniques
• Create your personal fragrance
• Receive 30ml personalized perfume bottle
• Get certificate of participation

The experience

The first thing I noticed was the quiet, almost church-like hush inside Antica Erboristeria San Simone. You could smell old wood, something herbal, and a faint powdery sweetness that clung to my sleeves. Our guide (Francesca, she insisted we call her by her first name) welcomed us with this warm grin and a little wave of her hand, like she’d been waiting for us all morning. There were shelves of glass bottles everywhere, some labeled in careful handwriting from decades ago. I tried not to look too much like a kid in a candy store but honestly, it was hard.

We started with stories: how Catherine de Medici brought French flair to Florentine scents (I had no idea), how this workshop’s been mixing potions since the 1700s. Francesca passed around tiny vials for us to sniff. Some made me wrinkle my nose (one smelled exactly like crushed tomato leaves after rain), but others were so delicate I kept going back for another whiff. She showed us how to build a perfume layer by layer (top notes, heart notes, base), and when I hesitated over jasmine or bergamot, she just smiled and said “Trust your nose.” So I did. Sort of.

There was a coffee break halfway through: espresso for most of us, tea for me because my hands were already shaking from excitement. We chatted about Florence’s weather (humid that day), and Francesca told us how locals used to believe certain flowers could ward off bad luck. The whole place felt like it belonged to another time. Even the light coming through the window seemed softer somehow. When it came time to bottle our creations, I felt oddly proud: like I’d bottled up an afternoon in Florence itself.

I still have my little bottle on my desk at home. Sometimes I open it just to remember that mix of old wood and laughter echoing off stone walls, and Francesca’s voice saying “You’ll always remember your first perfume.” She was right, you know?

What’s included

Your experience includes an introduction to Florentine perfumery history inside Antica Erboristeria San Simone’s artisanal laboratory, hands-on creation of your personal fragrance using a kit of essences, guidance from a master perfumer throughout the session, complimentary coffee or tea during a break, plus your own 30ml bottle of bespoke perfume and a certificate as keepsake before you leave.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tour in Italian10:30, 12:20, 15:00 and 15:30Work with an Italian-speaking master perfumer to craft your own unique, custom-made personal fragrance!

Tour in English10:30, 12:20, 15:00 and 15:30Work with an English-speaking master perfumer to craft your own unique, custom-made personal fragrance!

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Tuesday and SundayDepartures at 10:30, 12:20, 15:00 and 15:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Ciao Florence Tours Srl

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

Where does the Florence perfume masterclass take place?

The masterclass is held at Antica Erboristeria San Simone in Florence.

Do I get to keep the perfume I make during the workshop?

Yes, each participant takes home a 30ml bottle of their personalized fragrance.

Is there a guide or instructor during the class?

A master perfumer leads the workshop and guides you through each step.

Are drinks included in the perfume class?

Coffee, tea or water are provided as part of a complimentary coffee break.

How long has the laboratory been operating?

The lab dates back to 1700 and has centuries of experience in perfumery.

Is there any historical background shared during the activity?

Yes, you’ll hear stories about Florence’s alchemy tradition and famous figures like Catherine de Medici.

Will I receive anything else besides my perfume?

You’ll also receive a certificate as a memory of your day at the workshop.