Welcome to the city of Eau de Cologne! This product, now known all over the world, has its origins here in Cologne, a little over three centuries ago. Who invented it? How did it become so famous? Who bought it? You'll find the answers to these questions on this 90-minute walking tour. We'll start at the Alter Markt (Old Market Square) with an introduction to the history of Eau de Cologne's creation. There, you'll see the historic town hall tower, where you'll discover a statue commemorating the inventor of this fragrance, Johann Maria Farina. We'll talk about this family, so important and admired in the city, and how their business lets us take a tour through the last three centuries of local history. Then we'll walk to their shop, which has been in the same spot since 1709. Once there, we'll learn all the secrets of Eau de Cologne, its production, and its path to fame until it became a commonly used concept in perfumery. We'll also learn about the store's other fragrances and their importance for the brand, discover old advertisements, and find out about the family business' famous customers over the years. Of course, you'll have a few minutes of free time to buy perfumes before heading back to the second perfumery, 4711. There, we'll talk about the origin of this brand as a copy, the conflicts over the years with the Farina family, and the brand's official version of these entanglements. You'll have the chance to see the world's only Eau de Cologne fountain in the store, as well as the famous Napoleon tapestry and the clock alluding to this historical figure. We'll finish the tour with a few minutes to browse the variety of fragrances that 4711 offers today.
