A perfume formula originating in 1921 and still in production and demand. It has of course been adapted to modern tastes and industry rules.
Habanita is a woody perfume with rose and an aromatic herbs touch. Molinard have decided to explore each fragrant direction with 3 variations.
In Habanita L'Esprit the focus is on the fresh floral nuance, there is a big mimosa presence layered over the rose whereas woods and herbs have been toned down.
There is also the classic Habanita, Habanita La Cologne (a crisp cologne with most focus on oakmoss and vetiver) and Habanita Edition Exclusive (the most heavy and ambery version).
All about this fragrance
Vibe check
This is for close, composed moments where freshness needs a little depth: a polished daytime setting, a quiet meeting, or an intimate dinner where the scent should read as refined rather than loud. It feels tailored, softly floral, and self-possessed.
How to wear
Best in mild weather and transitional seasons, where its floral brightness and woody base can stay balanced. Apply lightly to let the mimosa and rose open first, then allow the patchouli and heliotrope to settle close to the skin; it wears with a gentle but noticeable trail rather than heavy projection.
Who it’s for
For wearers who like classic French perfumery with a modern, lighter touch: floral-woody compositions, soft powdery textures, and scents that feel elegant without becoming ornate. It will appeal to those drawn to heritage fragrances with a fresher, more transparent profile.
Release year
1921
The nose
Henri Bénard. A chemist and member of the Molinard family, Bénard created Habanita in 1921, giving the house one of its most enduring signatures. His work sits at the crossroads of classic French perfumery and the bold, modern orientals that reshaped the early 20th century. Bénard is chiefly remembered for Habanita’s unusual structure and its use of vetiver in a feminine composition, a move that helped make the fragrance a landmark of the era. The perfume’s long life and many reformulations have kept his name tied to one of Grasse’s most recognisable creations.
Molinard’s story
Molinard is a historic Grasse house built on family continuity, craft, and a strong sense of tradition. Its identity is rooted in natural materials, local expertise, and a willingness to evolve without losing the character of its classics, especially the trailblazing Habanita.
Habanita L'Esprit (Discontinued)’s concept
Habanita was born in the early 1920s, first as scented sachets and then as a liquid perfume, aimed at the liberated women of the Roaring Twenties. Its legend rests on a daring formula that turned vetiver into a feminine signature and gave the scent its smoky, sensual, slightly rebellious aura. Habanita L'Esprit shifts that heritage toward a fresher floral reading, with mimosa and rose brought forward and the woods softened.
Extra info
Habanita began life in 1921 as perfumed sachets for women who smoked, before becoming a liquid perfume in 1924. It is one of Molinard’s most famous creations and has been reformulated over time while staying in continuous production.
Celebrity connection
Early clientele reportedly included Queen Victoria, but no specific celebrity wearers are reliably documented for Habanita.
A perfume formula originating in 1921 and still in production and demand. It has of course been adapted to modern tastes and industry rules.
Habanita is a woody perfume with rose and an aromatic herbs touch. Molinard have decided to explore each fragrant direction with 3 variations.
In Habanita L'Esprit the focus is on the fresh floral nuance, there is a big mimosa presence layered over the rose whereas woods and herbs have been toned down.
There is also the classic Habanita, Habanita La Cologne (a crisp cologne with most focus on oakmoss and vetiver) and Habanita Edition Exclusive (the most heavy and ambery version).
All about this fragrance
Vibe check
This is for close, composed moments where freshness needs a little depth: a polished daytime setting, a quiet meeting, or an intimate dinner where the scent should read as refined rather than loud. It feels tailored, softly floral, and self-possessed.
How to wear
Best in mild weather and transitional seasons, where its floral brightness and woody base can stay balanced. Apply lightly to let the mimosa and rose open first, then allow the patchouli and heliotrope to settle close to the skin; it wears with a gentle but noticeable trail rather than heavy projection.
Who it’s for
For wearers who like classic French perfumery with a modern, lighter touch: floral-woody compositions, soft powdery textures, and scents that feel elegant without becoming ornate. It will appeal to those drawn to heritage fragrances with a fresher, more transparent profile.
Release year
1921
The nose
Henri Bénard. A chemist and member of the Molinard family, Bénard created Habanita in 1921, giving the house one of its most enduring signatures. His work sits at the crossroads of classic French perfumery and the bold, modern orientals that reshaped the early 20th century. Bénard is chiefly remembered for Habanita’s unusual structure and its use of vetiver in a feminine composition, a move that helped make the fragrance a landmark of the era. The perfume’s long life and many reformulations have kept his name tied to one of Grasse’s most recognisable creations.
Molinard’s story
Molinard is a historic Grasse house built on family continuity, craft, and a strong sense of tradition. Its identity is rooted in natural materials, local expertise, and a willingness to evolve without losing the character of its classics, especially the trailblazing Habanita.
Habanita L'Esprit (Discontinued)’s concept
Habanita was born in the early 1920s, first as scented sachets and then as a liquid perfume, aimed at the liberated women of the Roaring Twenties. Its legend rests on a daring formula that turned vetiver into a feminine signature and gave the scent its smoky, sensual, slightly rebellious aura. Habanita L'Esprit shifts that heritage toward a fresher floral reading, with mimosa and rose brought forward and the woods softened.
Extra info
Habanita began life in 1921 as perfumed sachets for women who smoked, before becoming a liquid perfume in 1924. It is one of Molinard’s most famous creations and has been reformulated over time while staying in continuous production.
Celebrity connection
Early clientele reportedly included Queen Victoria, but no specific celebrity wearers are reliably documented for Habanita.