Santa Maria Novella

The Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella can trace its roots back to Florence in 1221. In that year, Dominican friars founded the convent of Santa Maria Novella and began cultivating—among other things—a garden. From that same garden, many centuries of experience in pharmacopeia and natural preparations began to develop. In later years, that experience expanded to include the worlds of cosmetics, fragrances, and wellness products.

When, in 1533, a very young Catherine de Medici left Florence to marry the future king of France among the pages, guards, and ladies of her entourage, she also asked for a perfumer. His name was Renato Bianco, and in Paris, he became René le Florentin. From the ancient wisdom of the essence-makers of Florence, the noble art of perfume spread throughout the world.

Acqua di Santa Maria Novella, or Acqua della Regina (the "Queen's Water"), the oldest fragrance of the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, is an homage to the gift of love that Caterina brought to France.