The sometimes abusive use of perfume in France dates back to the Crusades and reached its peak at the court of Louis XV, known as the perfumed court. Already synonymous with seduction, luxury, and refinement, it was spread in the 16th century by Catherine de' Medici and her Florentine perfumer Renato Bianco. After following her to France for her marriage to the future Henri II, the latter established a shop on the Pont au Change where he sold both perfumes and poisons, the two going hand in hand at the time.