The oldest working wax maker in the world, Trudon has managed to preserve its know-how of excellence over the centuries while constantly renewing itself. This Living Heritage Company recently put an end to the use of beeswax in favor of vegetable wax. A strong commitment that is part of a process of preserving biodiversity.

It all started in 1643, at the dawn of the reign of Louis XIV. In one of the streets which would become, many years later, the epicenter of French refinement, the merchant Claude Trudon, became the owner of a shop in which he developed a business as a grocer and wax maker. At the beginning of the 1th century, the brand, which until then bore the name of its owner and whose products were intended for parishes and well-to-do households, became the Manufacture royale des waxes. At its head, Jérôme Trudon, heir to the house, innovates and perfects the manufacture of beeswax candles, which become immaculate white. A know-how that will rise to the imperial court of Napoleon XNUMXst.

Over the centuries, the products are constantly evolving to adapt to needs. In 1989, it was taken over by the Blondeau family, who tried their hand at creating different ranges of scented candles, intended for a national and decorative market. But it was in the 2000s that the company pushed the limits of its know-how to try its hand at perfume by launching five signature fragrances and home fragrances in 2017. She aims to " become a key player in the perfumery landscape “, notes the current creative director of the company.

Combining craftsmanship and reducing the environmental impact

« We are always developing new products (and new categories) to pay tribute to our exceptional history and craftsmanship. “, emphasizes Julien Pruvost. And it is precisely this taste for craftsmanship and the history of France that encouraged the Maison Trudon to reinvent busts and candles in "cameos" representing historical symbols or faces, in partnership with the Réunion des Musées Nationaux (RMN ). A prestigious collaboration which is far from being the only one since the company has also designed candles for fashion houses such as Giambatista Valli, Valentino or Balmain.

Today labeled Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant, the wax maker continues to build bridges between his know-how and the concerns of his time. With the objective of reducing its environmental impact, Trudon now offers a second life to its empty bottles and candle glasses. Collected exclusively in one of the four Parisian points of sale, they are recycled and exchanged there. Against each candle glass, a 10% reduction on any immediate purchase of a new candle of the same format is offered. In 2018, the company is questioning the model that made its candles famous. It puts an end to the use of beeswax in favor of a vegetable, European and mainly organic wax. A strong commitment that is accompanied by financial support to protect the endemic European black bee, today greatly threatened by intensive agriculture and industrial beekeeping. A meaningful partnership when you know that since 1643, the motto of the House has been: “Deo regic working” which means “they (the bees) work for God and the Roi ".