Fragrance house

Bourbon French Parfums

Bourbon French Parfums is a New Orleans perfumery whose history dates to 1843, when French arrival August Doussan founded the Doussan French Perfumery in the Vieux Carré. After chemist J.H. Tindel joined Doussan and later took over the shop, he renamed it the Bourbon French Perfume Company. Marguerite Acker learned perfumery under Tindel, became a principal creative contributor, married Beauregard Caro, and eventually bought the business; fragrances made on Royal Street were distributed under the Caro label. In 1973, Acker’s granddaughter Alessandra Crain inherited the company and created Voodoo Love, Marguerite, Mon Idée, and Sans Nom. Mary Eleftorea Behlar bought the shop in 1991 and continued developing new fragrances, including more modern compositions from the 1990s onward. Sesquessence marked the company’s 150th year in 1993. Hurricane Katrina affected the business in 2005; by 2009 it had relaunched as Bourbon French Parfums with an expanded range. Kus Kus, created by Doussan in 1843, has remained in production and is identified as one of the house’s best-sellers.