Diptyque was founded in 1961 by three friends who had been trained at the Ecole des Beaux Arts and in house decoration, Desmond Knox-Leet, Christiane Gautrot and Yves Coueslant.  They first produced their own printed fabrics and then began importing to Paris the most renowned English perfumes.

In 1963 Diptyque started producing a series of scented candles which soon gained world-wide fame. In 1968 Diptyque produced its first toilet water, l'EAU, based on a XVIth century pot pourri and clove pomander recipe. This was to be followed by other creations, which came as toilet water or soap as well as a rare and sophisticated toilet vinegar. Boxes in a sober design with elegant lettering and stylish drawings at the unmistakable hallmark of Diptyque products.