My great friend Paul brought me a gift from Paris. It is a tube of toothpaste, not just any toothpaste, but a very special tube from a fabulous shop in Rue Bonaparte.
The tube is my favourite shade of green and it features a snake šĀ on the front. Paul knows me well…I love green and am fascinated by snakes. Here it is.
The box is gorgeous too.
It seems a shame to have to squeeze the tube to get the toothpaste out. I don’t want to ruin it.
I Googled the shop and now I want to go there next time I am in Paris. L’Officine Universale Buly, known simply as Buly has a history. Jean-Vincent Bully began his shop in 1803 and it thrived for over 100 years before fading away.
It was picked up years later under a different spelling and is now a beauty brand focused on naturally sourced ingredients.
I took some photos from their site, but I will definitely be going there on my next trip to Paris.
Today is the day to squeeze the tube. It is mint, coriander and cucumber flavour and is enhanced with thermal water from Castera-V erduzan, reputed since antiquity for soothing sore mouths and throats, and ensuring fresh breath. I can feel it doing me good already.
Thanks Paul!
Love this post – such whimsy! I always remind my son ‘don’t forget to clean your fangs’ …..so this really made me giggle. You must be so ‘tickled’ by
this thoughtful gift; the packaging, the shop etc. Kind friend. It reminds me of Santa Maria in Novella in Florence, you too? Lovely things and places you share with us – grazie!
By: Catherine Rowley on January 24, 2018
at 9:46 pm
I said the same to my son. I am very keen to get to this shop. I am hoping to be in Paris in spring. I love Santa Maria Novella, I go there often and take all our visitors there. It smells divine and is cool on a hot day and deliciously warm on a cold winter day. I’ll be back there in a few weeks.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 24, 2018
at 10:07 pm
Thanks for much enjoyment over the years, a boy from Indooroopilly, many years ago. I am supplying a second email contact both are operating.
By: Kevin Palmer on January 24, 2018
at 9:56 pm
I am happy that you are following my blog. I lived in Indooroopilly briefly many years ago.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 24, 2018
at 10:08 pm
Debra May I send you a copy of my autobiography Boys’ Home to Broadway launched at the Byron Bay Writers Festival six years ago? I will not be offended if you refuse. Regards Kevin Palmer
By: kevin PAL on January 25, 2018
at 11:57 pm
I would be delighted to receive a copy of your book. I have forwarded my postal address.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 26, 2018
at 1:40 am
I was going to say ‘fangs for the memory’ before i realised this shop was different from the beautiful pharmaceutical shop you posted about some time ago. The tube and box are beautiful and much better than the usual souvenirs – but i think perhaps you shouldn’t swallow the stuff since it contains an opiate – better wait for me and i will volunteer to sit with half closed eyes and suck on the tube – thus saving it from being squeezed š
By: Jan on January 24, 2018
at 10:22 pm
It says on the box to keep the toothpaste away from children and not to swallow it. I promise to be good.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 24, 2018
at 10:32 pm
You know that if you tell a child not to touch that is a huge invitation and i don’t think either of us are good at being ‘good’ š
By: Jan on January 25, 2018
at 12:03 am
Never heard of this brand. Thanks for introducing it to me. I will have to look it up next time Iām in Paris. Or is it selling elsewhere on the continent?
By: sunnydaysinseattle on January 25, 2018
at 2:34 am
I don’t know if they sell in other places, but they may do on line. There is no doubt info on their website. I can’t wait to get the the shop.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 25, 2018
at 6:38 am
Very enjoyable post. Something about the photos of the shop and the antique formulation reminds me of the Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella in Florence, which I’m guessing you’ve spent time in?
By: Stacy di Anna Pollard on January 25, 2018
at 3:05 am
I go often to Santa Maria Novella in Florence. I love walking into that gorgeous place.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 25, 2018
at 6:39 am
Iām sure sometime back I read an article in Vogue re: this shop. Divine. What a clever idea for a present. Special that a friend knows you so well.
By: Christine collins on January 25, 2018
at 3:31 am
I had not heard of it until Paul gave me the gift. I will be going there when I go to Paris.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 25, 2018
at 6:39 am
Trust PAUL to give such an unique gift. Love this.
By: Sandra Robbins on January 25, 2018
at 9:10 am
Yes, he knows me well.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 25, 2018
at 11:18 pm
What an amazing tube of toothpaste! Love that design š
By: Lorraine @Not Quite Nigella on January 28, 2018
at 1:03 am