Fleur d'Oranger

Perfume is my passion.

In the 1990's Serge Lutens, creative genius for Shiseido, conceived and designed Les Salons du Palais Royal and in 2000 his own brand, Parfums-Beaute Serge Lutens was launched. 

This perfumery, in the heart of the Palais Royale is an ode to femininity - a rhapsody of painted finish in every violet, aubergine and mauve shade from the paint spectrum. Wooden panelling, black laquered counters and enclosed glass cabinets protect and showcase the many liquid treasures.

Salons du Palais Royale  is one serious sanctuary for perfumistas and a slightly intimidating experience for first timers (but what first time adventure is not intimidating)- but don't be afraid, a couple of bonjours, a slightly downcast look about the eyes and a demeure demand for assistance and voila, the elegant suits who work there open up their hearts and will recognize a true perfume lover. That is the thing I have come to learn in France - a gruffness of personality is often a camouflage for a case of shyness or an unwillingness to interfere. As soon as you make the first move and engage in a little light banter they are as charming as can be and only too happy to help.

I have long been having a love affair with Fleur d' Oranger, described by Lutens as the smell of happiness - and for me it truly is. I wish somehow I could let you inhale the wondrous scent of this fragrance but for now,

Close your eyes and imagine a long graveled walkway, lined on either side with enormous wooden planter boxes (I am thinking Versailles here) and in these ornamental tubs are mature orange trees. It is early evening and the sun is burning, low above the horizon, as you meander along this perfect parterre. Each orange tree is plentiful with delicate cream blossoms, and as you pass each one, your senses are drenched in this sublime miracle of nature; a fragrance so sweet but not sickly, in depth but not cloying - a scent reminiscent of something almost oriental. 

To prolong the pleasure you inhale deeply, you want to linger and lengthen this heavenly assault on the olfactory system. And then something changes; undetectable at first, a slight shift in the sensory atmosphere and for one split second you are confused, disorientated even - your senses are playing tricks. A subtle, but yet distinctive and exotic note of tuberose, the most fragrant of night flowers, is floating on the evening's breeze.

Fleur d'Oranger, the moment when the scents of orange blossom and tuberose collide. 

The perfume Fleur d'Oranger is from Les Eaux Anciennes range and accompanying those are four other heady collections, Les Eaux Boisees, Les Somptueux, Fleurs Nobles and Caractere. The descriptions of these scents are enough to send me soaring to another stratosphere and I think they read like poetry;

like an oriental sweet,

spicy cedar - defiant cedar

natural elegance

the comfort and magnitude of oak

a mystical blend of incense and lavender

the smell of happiness

sparkling yet profound, mysterious as a dream...

luminous and feline

absolute of turkish rose

simply lily

a sigh of time

Many of the fragrances are available in selected retail outlets all over the world but the perfume flacons are sold exclusively at Les Salons du Palais Royal. Each Christmas a limited edition and hand painted collectible is released. Hand engraved bottles with your own monogram are also available to order. 

Yes please - these are so on my wish list this Christmas.