Grenouille's Desire for Laure Richis

His two-year obsession with capturing Laure's scent, culminating in her murder.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

First Encounter with Laure's Scent

First Encounter with Laure's Scent Garden Behind the Wall Grenouille smelled Laure's scent from the garden. It was even more exquisite than the red-haired girl's. Recognition He knew she was still a child, but her scent would mature into something divine. Two-Year Wait He decided to wait until her scent was fully developed, then take it.

Patient Stalking

Patient Stalking Monitoring Growth Grenouille checked on Laure's scent periodically. It grew stronger and more complex. Self-Restraint He resisted the urge to take her early, knowing the scent would be better later. Love for the Scent He felt a kind of love for the scent, not for the girl herself.

The Murder

The Murder Tracking to La Napoule When Richis fled, Grenouille followed by scent. He killed Laure in her inn room. Enfleurage He carefully extracted her scent using his perfected technique. He now had the ultimate ingredient. Completion With Laure's scent, he could create the perfume that would make him loved by all.

March 1764

1764-1766

March 1766