Florence: Perfume Masterclass and Sensory Experience

Florence’s perfume tradition gets personal in this 90-minute workshop: you smell a range of essences, choose the notes that appeal to you, and leave with a 30ml fragrance made to your preferences. The class takes place at Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone, an artisanal shop in the city center, where the history of perfume making is part of the experience.

I like two things in particular: you get both a short history lesson and time to explore scents at your own pace, and you take home your perfume’s formula, so you have a record of how it was made. One consideration: deciding on a combination can be trickier than it sounds, and some participants prefer to have the perfumer prepare the final blend rather than handle every step themselves.

What to know before you book

• You leave with a custom scent: The class includes a 30ml bottle of your own fragrance, not just a demonstration.
• The shop is part of the story: Learn about Florence’s perfume traditions in an artisanal workshop at Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone.
• You choose from a range of essences: The challenge is balancing what you like individually into a fragrance that works as a whole.
• Your formula comes with you: Keep it with your certificate, and you have the details needed to request the same perfume later.
• Small groups keep it personal: The class is capped at 10 participants, with instruction in Italian or English.
• Plan for a sensory break: At 1.5 hours, it’s a relaxed change of pace from Florence’s churches, museums, and busy streets.

A traditional Florence shop, not a lecture hall

The class meets at Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone, in the heart of Florence. You are not simply being shown how perfume is made in the abstract. The setting is an artisanal shop with its own connection to the city’s perfumery traditions, which gives the introductory history a natural home.

Your instructor, a master perfumer, sets the scene before you begin choosing aromas. The discussion connects Florence’s perfume-making past with the craft you are about to try, including the Renaissance-era figure René le Florentin, described as the personal perfumer of Catherine de Medici. That historical context gives the activity a sense of place without turning the whole session into a history talk.

The teaching team can vary. Elena is named often by people who took the class, while Debra and Alina are also mentioned as warm and helpful hosts. You should not count on a particular instructor unless the provider confirms it, but the format is built around guided instruction and personal help.

With a maximum of 10 people, the room is small enough for the instructor to support each person as they test scents and make choices. That matters here. Perfume is intensely personal, and a small group gives you room to ask for help if you are unsure which aromas work together.

Smelling your way to a personal formula

The hands-on part begins with a selection of essences, from delicate aromas to stronger ones. You smell them, notice which appeal to you, and start building a combination that feels like your own. The goal is not to guess at a perfect recipe on the first try. It is to explore, compare, and make choices with the perfumer’s guidance.

That sounds simple, but choosing notes can take more thought than expected. One aroma may be lovely on its own yet feel different when paired with another. The instructor helps you navigate those choices, and you can ask for guidance rather than relying on your nose alone.

This balance of teaching and experimenting is a big part of the class’s appeal. You get a basic understanding of the process, then enough time to make the experience your own. If you are taking the class with friends or family, the contrast between everyone’s preferences can be half the fun. One group of six, for example, enjoyed comparing choices before settling on individual perfumes.

You may have the option to combine ingredients yourself, but at least some participants have chosen to let the perfumer put the final blend together after they selected their preferred notes. That can be a sensible choice if you are worried that a small measuring error will alter the scent. If being involved in every physical step matters to you, ask the instructor what the process will involve when you arrive.

Florence’s perfume past, made practical

The history lesson is a useful part of the experience because it explains why perfume belongs in a Florence itinerary. You hear about local traditions and the craft’s connection to the city, then move directly into choosing aromas yourself. The result is a more memorable introduction than simply reading about perfume in a display case.

The mention of René le Florentin and Catherine de Medici brings the Renaissance into the room, but the class stays practical. You are there to learn how fragrances are assembled and to create one that suits your own taste. The mix of historical context and hands-on work helps the activity feel distinctly Florentine without requiring any prior interest in perfume.

This is also a pleasant way to spend part of an afternoon away from the city’s major sights. Florence can fill a day with churches, galleries, and long stretches on foot. Here, you pause in one place, focus on scent, and come away with something you made. It offers a change of pace rather than another stop to rush through.

What you take home, beyond the bottle

The main keepsake is a 30ml bottle of your personalized perfume. You also receive its formula and a certificate marking your new skill. The formula is especially practical: if you love the result, you have the information needed to request it again. The shop can be contacted about future orders, though shipping arrangements and costs are not specified.

The bottle also makes the class easier to justify than an activity that ends when you walk out the door. You are paying for the instruction and the process, but the fragrance itself is part of the package. One participant compared the included bottle with a shop fragrance priced at about €70. Treat that as a personal comparison, not a guaranteed retail valuation, but it helps explain why the experience can feel like reasonable value for a useful souvenir.

Give your fragrance time before deciding exactly how you feel about it. One participant noted that the finished perfumes needed a resting period before they were ready to try. The class information does not specify a required waiting time, so follow the instructor’s guidance rather than assuming it is ready to wear immediately.

The formula may also make this a souvenir you can revisit. A perfume can bring back a place in a way that a standard trinket cannot, especially when you remember choosing the ingredients yourself. Couples, friends, and families can each make a different version, so the takeaway is individual even when the activity is shared.

Is $82 a fair price?

At $82 per person, this is not a bargain-basement workshop, but the price covers more than an hour and a half of instruction. You get a master perfumer, a small-group session, a 30ml custom fragrance, its formula, a certificate, and a coffee, tea, or water break. The main value is the combination: you learn about the craft, make something personal, and bring home the result.

The price makes the most sense if you are curious about perfume, enjoy hands-on activities, or want a Florence souvenir with a story behind it. It may feel less worthwhile if you only want to buy a bottle of fragrance or prefer a quick, highly structured demonstration. The pleasure here is in spending time smelling, choosing, and refining your own scent.

Think of the bottle as part of the value, but not the only reason to book. If you are comparing it with a shop purchase, the class gives you an experience and a personal formula as well as the finished perfume. If you have no interest in testing aromas or making decisions about a scent, the hands-on process may feel longer than you want.

Who will enjoy this class most?

This is a natural fit for perfume fans, but you do not need to know much about fragrance before you arrive. The instructor guides you through the process, and the point is to follow your own preferences. Solo visitors can focus on their own choices, while couples and groups can compare notes and see how differently each person approaches the same selection.

It also works well for adult family members and older children or teenagers. A teenager who initially came along to humor a parent ended up enjoying the process, and families with children of different ages have found it a good shared activity. The class is not only for adults who already collect perfume.

If you are planning a group outing, bear in mind that the group limit is 10. A smaller party may share the room with other participants, giving the activity a social feel without making it a private class. If you would rather have a private session, the details provided do not confirm that option, so ask the provider before booking.

The instructions are offered in Italian and English. If you find spoken English difficult to follow, you may want to ask for clarification as you go. The process includes a lot of smelling and choosing, so you can still take part even if you need an occasional repeat of an explanation.

Practical details and one accessibility check

The class lasts 1.5 hours and takes place at Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone. Starting times depend on availability. Bring a camera if you would like photos, and leave large bags or luggage elsewhere, since they are not allowed.

There is conflicting accessibility information: the activity is marked wheelchair accessible, but wheelchair users are also listed as not suitable for the experience. Do not assume access based on either note alone. Contact the provider before booking and ask about the specific needs of your party.

Coffee, tea, or water is included, but no full meal is listed. The workshop is short enough to fit between other Florence plans, though it is best not to schedule it so tightly that you have to hurry through the scent selection.

Should you book the Florence perfume masterclass?

Book it if you want a personal, hands-on Florence activity and like the idea of taking home a fragrance you helped shape. The strongest reasons are the small group, the local perfumery setting, the guide’s support, and the formula that lets you request your creation again. It is especially well suited to couples, friends, and families looking for a shared activity that is calmer than another museum visit.

Skip it if you want a quick demonstration, have little patience for testing scents, or are mainly shopping for perfume. And if wheelchair access is important, confirm the details directly before paying. For everyone else, this is a good way to spend 90 minutes making a practical souvenir with a clear connection to Florence.

FAQ

How long does the perfume masterclass last?

The class lasts 1.5 hours.

Where does the class take place?

It takes place at Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone in the heart of Florence.

What do I take home?

You take home a 30ml bottle of your personalized perfume, its formula, and a certificate of your new skill.

Is a drink included?

Yes. The class includes coffee, tea, or water.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in Italian and English.

How large is the group?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

Do I need experience making perfume?

No previous experience is stated as a requirement. A master perfumer guides you through choosing and combining aromas.

Can I get the same perfume again later?

You receive the formula for your fragrance, and the shop can be contacted about ordering it again. Shipping details are not provided.

Can I bring luggage or a large bag?

No. Luggage and large bags are not allowed. A camera is listed as something to bring.

Is the class suitable for wheelchair users?

The accessibility information is inconsistent: the activity is marked wheelchair accessible, but wheelchair users are also listed as not suitable. Contact the provider before booking to confirm whether the workshop can meet your needs.