Cire Trudon, world's oldest candle maker selling in Bungendore

Well, you might, and people do, when it is hand-made by the oldest candle maker in the world. And it burns for 300 hours.

Cire Trudon candles have been made in France since 1643. And not just the three-kilo behemoth, but smaller ones, with smaller price tags.

The luxury brand is now sold in 47 retail outlets across Australia, the only local ones Manon and Moss in Bungendore and the Designer Op Shop Emporium in Fyshwick.

Alix Burnett, owner of Manon and Moss, recently hosted Michael Marzano and Sarah Cronk from Agence De Parfum, the Australian agents for Cire Trudon, at her business, housed in a little heritage cottage.

Mrs Cronk said the candle maker was extremely particular about where its product was sold.

"We are and Paris is," she said.

"It has to be the right fit. It has to be the right area, the right store and they also look very closely at the other products being sold."

Mr Marzano said the candles were made in four different locations across Normady, each working in isolation.

"The formula to this day is secret and they don't talk about it," he said.

"One [location] doesn't know what the other is doing. It all comes together and that's when the magic happens."

Cire Trudon started to use beeswax in its candles in 1714. The candles are fragranced with real perfumes, have cotton wicks and their holders are made from handblown glass in Tuscany.

"They become fantastic gin and tonic or water glasses when complete," Mr Marzano said.

Four per cent of the sale of each candle across the world goes towards the protection of the European dark bee, supporting the Orne Dark Bee Conservatory in France.

Mr Marzano had some tips for candle burning. Firstly, when first lit, let the candle burn out to its edges, for two to three hours, to ensure the candle burns completely, rather than forming a crust.

"Only extinguish [the first time] if it is completely liquid on the surface," he said.

And the other big tip is don't blow out or snuff out a candle. (Birthday cakes excluded, we'd have to say).

Mr Marzano said snuffing out a candle robbed it of oxygen and produce smoke.

Instead, the right way to do t was with a brass hook aka l'eteignoir, which "reaches out to press the wick into the wax without pinching it or smothering it". There is no smoke and the "wax-coated wick can easily be lit up again". So now you know.

Alix Burnett said it was an honour to showcase the French candle maker, its history and its dedication to the bee.