Benegas: the leading Basque perfumery since 1908
Benegas: the leading Basque perfumery since 1908
The history of Benegas, the most traditional perfumery in the Basque Country, began in the Belle Époque – specifically in 1908. The company was founded as a men’s hair salon and perfumery with a notable British style, offering the most innovative French and English items of the time. Among their clientele were personalities from all over the world: intellectuals, artists, and members of royalty who spent their summers in San Sebastián. Over the years, the perfumery side of the business took center stage and the beauty cabin service was also introduced.
Today, Benegas is managed by the third and fourth generations of the same family that founded the business, and the shop continues at its original location in the center of San Sebastián.
Their specialization has led them to offer an exquisite selection of brands from different parts of the world, among which we can highlight Profumum Roma, Acqua di Parma, Penhaligon’s, and Ramón Monegal. Their long-standing relationship with Chanel has allowed them to dedicate a space in their shop entirely to the exclusive Les Exclusifs de Chanel collection of fragrances for men and women – scents which evoke portions of the life of Mademoiselle Chanel herself, making the Benegas Perfumery one of the few independent establishments in the world that offer this collection.
In the 1990s, Benegas launched its own house cologne, featuring a combination of citrus and floral nuances made up of bergamot, lemon, orange blossom, lavender, and jasmine. Over time, new fragrances and soaps have gradually been introduced which are sold under the Benegas and SSirimiri brands.
The boutique also has a space dedicated to the sale of cosmetics, with a makeup service and a large beauty cabin where they offer facial and body treatments combining manual massage techniques with the latest technology. For full-body lymphatic drainage massages, which are completely customizable, they use avant-garde products from the Spanish company Sepai. For facial treatments, in addition to the aforementioned brand, they also apply products and protocols by Chanel and by Nescens – a Swiss clinic which specializes in combating the signs of skin aging.
Benegas has been able to update and adapt over these 116 years to the requirements, trends, and needs of society, staying true to its original philosophy and passing down knowledge from generation to generation. Today, the boutique is a must-see stop if you wish to purchase fragrances, high-end cosmetics, accessories, and gifts or if you want to pamper your body with facial and body treatments, but also to learn about part of the city’s history.
Benegas
Calle Garibay 12, San Sebastián.
Tel.: +34 943 420 305
