The scent beloved by Napoleon and Josephine: RANCÉ.

400 Years of the Rancé Family Legacy

The Scent Beloved by Napoleon and Josephine: RANCÉ

In 1975, in Grasse, the birthplace of the perfume industry in the South of France, François Rancé, the fifth-generation head of the Rancé family, ceased the production of perfumed leather gloves, which he had previously undertaken, and embarked on a new path as a perfume house, RANCÉ.

The Birth of Napoleon Bonaparte's Fragrance: LE VAINQUEUR

LE VAINQUEUR Eau de Parfum Spray
¥10,500 (50ml)

François Rancé, the fifth-generation head of the family, developed a succession of high-end products such as eau de cologne, flower water, essences, aromatic balms, beauty creams, and room colognes, using abundant aromatic plants cultivated throughout the year as fragrances.

After the French Revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte, who reigned over Europe as Emperor, favored Rancé. The house presented him with the perfume LE VAINQUEUR (meaning "the conqueror" in French) and his wife Josephine with JOSÉPHINE, among other fragrances and cosmetics, spreading its fame throughout Europe.

JOSÉPHINE Eau de Parfum Spray ¥12,600 (50ml)

DELGÉ Eau de Parfum Spray ¥15,750 (100ml)

Products Carrying on a Rare Tradition of Family Management

Rancé also began exporting to overseas markets outside of France. In the late 19th century, Alexandre Rancé relocated the company's perfume business headquarters to Milan, Italy.

He developed luxurious soaps with creamy, delicate scents using high-quality, odorless oils used in food production, further enhancing Rancé's reputation across Europe.

The current head of the company is Jeanne Sandra Rancé, the first woman in the history of the Rancé family to hold this position. Together with her son, Jean Alexandre Maurice Rancé, who is set to be her successor, she supports the present-day Rancé.

While preserving the brand's heritage, Jeanne Sandra is also dedicated to developing innovative products that utilize cutting-edge cosmetic technology. She has successively launched anti-stress bio-skincare lines, suncare lines, and eco-friendly lines, establishing Rancé as a comprehensive cosmetics brand. Approximately 700 products are available at Rancé's directly managed boutiques in Milan and Rome.