Cire Trudon (CLOSED)

Since the Gallic candle shop first opened in 1643, Cire Trudon has lit the way through the French Revolution, perfumed the rooms of France’s royal families and produced tapers for fashion houses Hermès, Christian Dior and Cartier. Now that the oldest candlemaker in the world has opened its first boutique outside of France in Nolita, you can browse the perfumed creations ($50–$375) and gift sets of three mini tapers ($130) without hopping on a plane. The antique mirrors, bright-blue-painted exposed brick walls and handmade furniture give this shop a distinctly Parisian feel. Light up your life with mini leather- and tobacco-scented candles ($50) and room sprays that smell like freshly brewed Moroccan mint tea ($142). Splurge for the massive three-wick 6.5-pound candle in any of Cire Trudon’s signature scents ($375) to get the best bang for your buck—it burns for up to 400 hours. Or add a bit of 18th-century flair to your home with wax bust molds of famous clients Marie Antoinette and Napoleon that may be just too pretty to burn ($85–$113).