By Sandra
Over three decades ago, I left Rome, Italy as a young girl. I had lasting impressions of this beautiful city, which had nothing to do with perfume. Light, warmth, umbrella pine trees, weekends at the beach, Catholic school, fish – lots of fish – these were some of the memories I cherished.
Now, fast forward to 2012 and the deep desire to return to my childhood Rome and to introduce it to my three year old son. This trip in December was a pilgrimage of sorts that we as a family embarked upon. It was time to return and say Thanks at St. Peter’s Basilica for all of the blessings in our lives.
Now you are wondering what in heck this has to do with perfume! I am getting there, I promise. Rome held no importance to me whatsoever with respect to perfume. But oh how that changed! Now memories of Rome include my scented treasures I had the honor of experiencing.
Before my trip I knew that I wanted to search out some Italian perfume companies and I wanted to smell fresh and citrus-y perfumes in a warmer climate. I had grandiose plans of visiting several perfume stores.
As fate would have it our hotel was situated right around the corner of the Pantheon. I knew from speaking with Birgit that I should check out a store specializing in niche perfumes called Campomarzio70.
As we turned the corner to head to the Pantheon there stood Campomarzio70. It was our first night and I did not have the energy to walk in. So, the next morning I told my family that was what I wanted to do for a ‘minute’ to get a feel for the company. In order to find some allergy free food we went in the opposite direction of the Pantheon and I was utterly surprised to find a second Campomarzio70 not five minutes from the hotel again. This time I walked in.
This very small branch of Campomarzio70 is on Via di Campo Marzio. Fabrizio, the store director, greeted me and showed me some of the brands that he had in his store. Everything was beautifully laid out and I was surprised as to how many companies one could have in such a small space. I was under the false impression that this was the large store and kept thinking to myself ‘oh my, what do the other two stores have to offer?’
We found ourselves by the Spanish steps that afternoon and I walked up and down the streets in that area lapping up the pre Christmas rush and all of the beautiful decorations. Campomarzio70 on Via Vittoria is in that area and we sought it out. It specializes in the very difficult to find niche perfumes. Thankfully my son decided to take a nap and the timing was very convenient. My husband was ushered to a comfortable chair and started dozing off next to our son.
I was in heaven. So many beautiful perfumes in such a spacious store and so impeccably displayed. What more could I ask for? The lovely Serena and later Diego were my guides. Amouage, Caron, Parfum MDCI, Casamoratti 1888, Fornasetti, Puredistance were among many of the treasures.
The store is so beautifully decorated with subtle and elegant pieces. The room where my men were dozing, housed a motorcycle and a piano and looked out into a small courtyard which was so picturesque and soothing. It all worked so well together. I thought I had seen it all when Serena asked me if I would be interested in smelling more luxurious perfumes upstairs. Flabbergasted that there was more to discover I probably showed far too much eagerness to get upstairs. That is where I discovered the Xerjoffs… a disaster for my wallet.
Serena was absolutely lovely. She was patient and kind and very knowledgeable of the perfumes. Once she had an understanding of the notes that I like she walked me through several perfumes to see what my reaction would be. I was given all the time I needed. After going through the Xerjoffs she showed me a limited edition, which was made for Qatar – Wabar. It pierced my heart with its beauty and I could not leave the store without a bottle of Wabar in my hand.
Campomarzio70 next to the Pantheon on Piazza della Rotonda is yet another concept. It is a beautiful store on a street corner that has niche fragrances catering to the tourist crowds.
There are some gems to be found in that store as well such as the Mona di Orio line and the luxury perfumes from Creed as well as many others. They had just finished decorating for Christmas when I walked in, and I could not help but wish that I had been able to see the other two stores with the Christmas decorations. Elena from this branch was also wonderful and willing to let me photograph and ask questions and test various perfumes. They did not have the Fornasetti candles or incense like the other stores but were willing to bring it in so I could decide on what would come home with us. Now that is what I call great customer service!
There were too many perfume stores in Rome to visit them all.
Campomarzio70 steals the show from all of the stores fronts I saw. They entice you with their wonderful window displays and the beautiful perfumes they sell. Most importantly though, they excel in customer service with their knowledgeable and kind staff.
One honorable mention goes to Helèn Profumeria on Via Lombardia near the top of the Spanish steps. They were a small boutique which also housed many niche fragrances. I sought them out was because after many months of reading positive reviews I wanted to smell the Arquiste line.
I was pleased to learn that Campomarzio70 will be receiving the Arquiste perfume in mid December and I won’t have to have such a trek to find them next time I go to Rome.
We will be traveling to Rome again and soon. Not only for its history, art, sights and spiritual aspects but also for Campomarzio70!
Olfactoria's Travels 
Wow, very impressive! Looks like I could spend many long hours in there
It is truly worth a visit if you are in Rome. You would love it Lukas!
Maybe I’ll be there one day. Its relatively not so far from Poland
Who knows – let’s hope that they expand into other countries. Please….
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. I’ve been to Italy many times, but never to Rome. Am adding this to my list of things to see and places to go in the Eternal City.
I am glad you will add it to your list Baconbiscuit. I was floored to be honest. I am sure you would be able to find a treasure or two there.
Sandra, those are very beautiful pictures!
One day I’ll visit Rome (sigh)
Thank you Undina! Yes you will visit Rome one day! Yes!
Wonderful photography and – oh, what a store! I’m glad you had such a good time in Rome, Sandra! Thank you for writing it up for us to live vicariously through you!
Thank you Birgit! I had lots of fun taking these pictures. Thank you for guiding me to Campomarzio70. Wish they were in Vienna.
I live in Rome and Campomarzio is indeed a national treasure. They just opened a new shop in Cortina, just in case someone is going there over the holidays.
Others worth your time: the perfume bar Olfattorio (where you can sample Diptyque, L’Artisan, The Different Company, and Rosine from “champagne” glasses with knowledgeable staff) and the exquisite Profumum Roma next door. I also love the convenience of being able to do quickly raid Chanel-Dior-Hermes-Etro at Piazza di Spagna. Laura Tonnatto has a shop on Piazza di Pietra. Profumeria Cherry in via Crispi 73 is lovely too. And Roma Store in Trastevere is really lovely and user-friendly (organized a bit like a library).
What is the best, though, are the neighborhood profumerie. The one I live near to looks dusty and unassuming from the outside but has big bee bottles of old Guerlains, obscure discontinued treasures, all of modern mainstream and a standout selection of modern niche.
Thank you Gogol for the great list! I will certainly be taking it with me on my next trip to Rome. You live in a gorgeous city.
I’ll probably never get to Rome so I’ll have to live vicariously through others. I would love to have a shop like any of these nearby to browse and sniff. Thanks for sharing.
I hear you Poodle! We have lovely perfume stores in Vienna – but nothing like this. I also loved being able to sniff without pressure. That is so important in my mind.
Thanks so much for this wonderful shopping report and beautiful photos, Sandra. I have been lucky enough to visit Rome but not at Christmas time and not as a perfume fanatic so this was a real treat.
Congratulations on your bottle of Wabar, which I bet is exquisite. Wear it often and think of Rome!
Thank you dear Tara. Christmas is such a nice season to explore cities. We are blessed being able to do so. Wabar is absolutely lovely. I shall wear it often in warmer weather and think of my former home.
Reading this was a special treat, Sandra, as I’m planing to go to Rome this spring if my plans work out. Even more than the perfume shops, I can’t wait to see the sights of this historic and beautiful city. Lucky you to have grown up there – and lucky for your son, as it sounds like you will be taking him back again, and he’ll see it through your eyes and, vice versa, you’ll get to experience it again through his. That’s wonderful.
Suzanne you will absolutely love Rome! If you need a good hotel recommendation I can give you the name of the hotel where we stayed. Fantastic location. We will most certainly be going back there as a family again. However, we will be traveling there in spring or summer next. The beach is not far away. Have a fabulous trip this spring. Can’t wait to hear about it from your perspective.
Thank you, Sandra. I’d love to get your hotel recommendation. 🙂 My email address is suz @ eiderdownpress dot com. (Or if you prefer that I contact you via Birgit, let me know.)
Just sent you an email!
My last trip to Europe was almost twenty years ago…I did indeed visit Rome. I was not aware that there were so many wonderful perfume shops! I would have spent much time there (perhaps more so than seeing the sights 🙂 !!)
I was not aware either. 😉 The sights I am sure will still lure you away from the stores. Gogol’s comment about all the stores showed me that! Next trip I will also include more stores… 🙂
Ah Rome! The my first visit there I knew I had come home at last. I always stay at a little Bed and Breakfast on the Via del Seminario right next to the Pantheon. So in reading your post I was right there with you in all my favorite spots. Now with your tips on Perfume Shopping in Rome. I just have to go back as soon as I can. Thank you So much for taking me back to the city I miss so much.
L
Staying near the Pantheon was such a lovely experience L. We will surely be staying there again as everything is in walking distance. Hope you get back soon.