Macron applies too much perfume, reveals new book
Emmanuel Macron has reportedly been using “industrial amounts” of luxury cologne, according to media coverage of excerpts from a new book about the French president. The book, titled ‘The Tragedy of the Elysee: Inside the Hell of Macron’s Five-Year...
TroibNews 
Emmanuel Macron has reportedly been using “industrial amounts” of luxury cologne, according to media coverage of excerpts from a new book about the French president. The book, titled ‘The Tragedy of the Elysee: Inside the Hell of Macron’s Five-Year Terms’, written by Le Parisien journalist Olivier Beaumont, claims that Macron applies significant quantities of perfume each day.
His preferred scent is Dior Eau Sauvage, with “a bottle [always] to hand, particularly in one of the drawers of his desk,” as noted in the book. Beaumont observes that “less-accustomed visitors may find themselves overcome by the floral and musky scent, as refined as it is powerful. It is a sign of one thing: that the president is in the building,” as quoted by The Telegraph.
The book draws a parallel between Macron's use of fragrance and Louis XIV's historical practices, stating, “Just as Louis XIV made his perfumes an attribute of power when he paraded through the galleries of Versailles, Emmanuel Macron uses his as an element of his authority at the Elysee.”
Meanwhile, one of Macron’s former aides described the atmosphere when the president enters a room, saying, “When Emmanuel Macron enters the room, you can feel it.” The aide likened Macron’s fragrance to “marking his territory,” adding, “It’s not subtle, but it’s fast. It means: watch out, here I come!” The aide also mentioned that several staff members began jokingly using the phrase, “It smells like the president,” to signal his presence.
Additionally, the book quotes Bruno Roger-Petit, Macron’s former spokesman, who commented, “You only have to be in the Vestibule d’honneur [the main entrance to the Elysee Palace] to know whether he has been there recently or not.”
Dior, the brand Macron favors, is owned by Bernard Arnault, Europe’s wealthiest individual, who is said to have a close relationship with the president. Last year, Macron bestowed upon Arnault the country’s highest distinction, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor.
Macron, first elected in 2017 and reelected in 2022, has made his youthful image and athleticism a focal point of his public relations strategy, having posed with boxing gloves during campaign events. In 2024, his office released images of him training with a punching bag.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
His preferred scent is Dior Eau Sauvage, with “a bottle [always] to hand, particularly in one of the drawers of his desk,” as noted in the book. Beaumont observes that “less-accustomed visitors may find themselves overcome by the floral and musky scent, as refined as it is powerful. It is a sign of one thing: that the president is in the building,” as quoted by The Telegraph.
The book draws a parallel between Macron's use of fragrance and Louis XIV's historical practices, stating, “Just as Louis XIV made his perfumes an attribute of power when he paraded through the galleries of Versailles, Emmanuel Macron uses his as an element of his authority at the Elysee.”
Meanwhile, one of Macron’s former aides described the atmosphere when the president enters a room, saying, “When Emmanuel Macron enters the room, you can feel it.” The aide likened Macron’s fragrance to “marking his territory,” adding, “It’s not subtle, but it’s fast. It means: watch out, here I come!” The aide also mentioned that several staff members began jokingly using the phrase, “It smells like the president,” to signal his presence.
Additionally, the book quotes Bruno Roger-Petit, Macron’s former spokesman, who commented, “You only have to be in the Vestibule d’honneur [the main entrance to the Elysee Palace] to know whether he has been there recently or not.”
Dior, the brand Macron favors, is owned by Bernard Arnault, Europe’s wealthiest individual, who is said to have a close relationship with the president. Last year, Macron bestowed upon Arnault the country’s highest distinction, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor.
Macron, first elected in 2017 and reelected in 2022, has made his youthful image and athleticism a focal point of his public relations strategy, having posed with boxing gloves during campaign events. In 2024, his office released images of him training with a punching bag.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
