Arnaud Poulain: French Artisan Perfumer & Founder of Les Eaux Primordiales

Arnaud Poulain's path to perfumery began far from the fragrance world. Born in Arras, northern France, in 1986, Poulain grew up surrounded by artisans - his father worked as a metallurgist, his uncle as a carpenter, and his grandparents farmed the land. These early influences instilled values of craftsmanship and dedication that would later define his approach to perfumery.

Initially pursuing mechanical and electrical engineering, Poulain's life took an unexpected turn in 2007 during a chance encounter while working in ice cream production. This serendipitous moment led him to discover perfumery, where he immediately recognized his heightened olfactory sensitivity. He began formal training at SIADEP in Lens and Cinquième Sens in Paris, where he met his mentor, perfumer Amélie Bourgeois of Studio Flair.

In 2015, Poulain founded Les Eaux Primordiales, establishing his manufacture on a 14-hectare estate in Acq, which he renamed Le Domaine Primordial. The brand name, meaning "The Primordial Waters," draws inspiration from Jules Verne's "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea," reflecting Poulain's fascination with the origins of life itself.

Poulain describes himself as a "scent mechanic," merging his engineering background with artistic vision. His fragrances undergo unique maturation processes, sometimes enhanced by classical music at 432 hertz frequency during maceration. This technical precision, combined with his artisanal philosophy, creates what he calls "commercial niche" perfumery - sophisticated yet accessible compositions.

Les Eaux Primordiales showcases Poulain's versatility across four distinct collections. The Superclassique line reinterprets 20th-century French classics, including Couleur Primaire, which captures the essence of freshly laundered clothes with aldehydes and clean musks. The Supercritique collection employs CO2 extraction to preserve molecular integrity, featuring compositions like Rose and Mimosa.

The Superfluide range highlights precious raw materials, with standout creations like Ambre, evoking winter evenings by the fire with apple, cinnamon, and warm amber. Saffron showcases the "red gold" spice alongside raspberry and suede, while Oud presents Laotian oud in a Western-friendly composition with vanilla and benzoin.

The newest Supermassive collection focuses on perfume extracts, with Ambre Supermassive offering enhanced concentration and complexity. Poulain's fragrances demonstrate exceptional longevity and projection, often lingering for days with their carefully orchestrated molecular structures.

Poulain's ongoing collaboration with Amélie Bourgeois continues to drive innovation, with plans for expanding the Primordial group through new brands like Perroy and House of Serenity. His vision extends beyond fragrance creation to establishing a center of excellence celebrating modern French luxury craftsmanship.