Divine Parfums  L’Âme Soeur by Yann Vasnier (2004) ~Fragrance Review + A Timeless Gem Draw

divine parfums logo

Divine Parfums slowly built its reputation upon the unbeatable pairing of refined composition and excellent price-quality ratio. Word of mouth recommendations helped the House become a favorite ‘secret” of perfume connoisseurs. The house founded by Yvon Mouchel is based in Dinard, Brittany, a seaside resort which became fashionable in the 19th century and its appeal still makes it a  popular destination today. 

yvon mouchel and yann vasnier parfums divine

Yvon Mouchel of Divine Parfums and Givaudan Senior Perfumer Yann Vasnier are both from Brittany

 L'Âme Soeur (2004) is the second creation from Divine and composed by Yann Vasnier; he is a versatile nose  known for his artistic and modern interpretations of classic French perfumeryand the exquisite subtleties of his work (I have a particular appreciation for his collaborations with both Divine and DelRae Roth of Parfums Delrae). L'Âme Soeur, "the soulmate", is an aldehydic floral which leans towards the classic side of the spectrum. Calling it an aldehydic floral is, however, as simplistic as describing Paris as a city or Vivaldi's spring merely as a concert.

The Birth of Venus. 1863 Alexandre Cabanel

"The Birth of Venus" Alexandre Cabanel, 1863

L'Âme Soeur inevitably brings to mind Chanel No 5 although, to my nose, it feels far more satisfying: full, generous and smoother than smooth. Comparing both fragrances side by side, wrist by wrist, No 5 feels more angular; L'Âme Soeur, in turn, is softer, more emotional than rational, though still incredibly elegant and poised.

Charles Joshua Chaplin - The pearl necklace

Charles Joshua Chaplin – The pearl necklace (19th Century)

Its warmth and creaminess convey a maternal, comforting feel in an über glamorous way. Imagine the most tender, caring mother wearing her strand of akoya pearls …and pearls would be the perfect match to L'Âme Soeur, their soft pale glow blurring the lines between dream and reality much like the limits between aldehydes, rose, jasmine and ylang ylang are diffused in this creation which has become, appropriately, a timeless gem. L'Âme Soeur has beautiful diffusion and above average longevity on the skin.

Disclosure:  Eau de parfum sample gifted with purchase at the Divine boutique, Paris

Caro Fernandez, Guest Contributor and author of Té de Violetas

Editor’s Note: Yann Vasnier who has a penchant for CHANEL and recently left New York for the charms of the Givaudan Paris office was featured in our Young Perfumer Series here.  We have reviewed Divine Spirituelle,(2014), L’Homme Infini, and L'Être Aimé Femme (2008)

L'Âme Soeur  divine parfums 50 ml

Thanks to the generosity of Yvon Mouchel of Divine Parfums we have a draw for 50 ml spray atomizer of L'Âme Soeur for a registered reader worldwide (you must do this to qualify). Please leave a comment with what you enjoyed about Caro’s review, where you live and if you have a favorite Divine Parfum. Draw closes 10/26/2015

 We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

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29 comments

  • madeleine gallay says:

    A softer, more emotional fragrance, lovely phrase. So simple and so complete.

    In the USA. Thank you. The art is lovely here.

  • Very nice review, and beautiful pictures. I have never had a chance to try any of Divine Parfum, but I Would very like to try this one, because from the review it sounds really fabulous. I’m a registered reader. Thank you for the draw. I live in Europe.

  • Thank you for the review and draw!
    I would love to try L’Ame Soeur because the notes sound right up my alley.
    Haven’t tried any of Divine Parfums scents. USA

  • I very much appreciated the comparison between No 5 and L’Âme Soeur. It helped greatly in picturing the fragrance! I have yet to try and of the Divine Parfums fragrances. USA.

  • bunchofpants says:

    Sometimes before I sleep I put on a soft and comfy perfume to usher in (I hope) sweet dreams. Caro’s description of L’Âme Soeur as having “creaminess” and “a maternal, comforting feel” make me think this would be something lovely to wear when I’m just relaxing with myself and enjoying some moments of peace … being my own soulmate. I’ve added this and a few other Divine scents to my Luckyscent wish list–I’m not yet familiar with any of them. I’m in USA.

  • Iuno Feronia says:

    Sounds wonderful, Must be a very sensual perfume. Beautiful paintings. I live in Europe. Thanks for the Review and the draw.

  • littleengine says:

    One of the most transporting moments I’ve ever had was on a warm autumn morning, smelling a spray from a vintage bottle of Chanel No. 5. Now there’s something softer and lovelier? I can hardly wait to try it. I wish I were familiar with other Divine scents, but I’m not. I’m in the US. Thanks for the draw.

  • Elizabeth T says:

    Beautiful. Like No. 5 but “full, generous and smoother than smooth…” sounds amazing. I have only tried one Divine, L’Homme Sage, and that was in I think my first batch of samples EVER, when I was just getting into niche perfumes! I wish I remembered it better. Regardless, this sounds lovely. Thank you for the draw! I am in the USA.

  • fazalcheema says:

    Chanel 5 is one classic fragrance I enjoy and even though Shalimar seems to be more popular in forums, I prefer Chanel 5 to Shalimar..L’Am Soeur is in the line of Chanel 5 with a slightly different direction, thus, it will probably impress me. my favorite perfume from Divine is L’Homme de Coeur. thanks for the draw. i am in the US.

  • ……” blurring the lines between dream and reality” is what a soulmate is. I also like how Caro compared Chanel No 5 and L’Âme Soeur and how favorable to L’Âme Soeur this comparison is. I have not yet tried any Divine Parfums. I live in the USA.

  • I have heard about Divine Perfumes and have never tried one, but I do love Chanel No 5 so s L’Ame Soeur, a softer emotional version that reminds me of warm comfort, pearls and elegance would be a dream to win I live in San Francsico, CA

  • Divine is a classic French line of perfume; their quality is evident to the nose. I own L’Inspiratrice and L’Infante and they are both beautiful. A smoother Chanel No. 5 sounds lovely, as I love that perfume but find it a bit sharp for every day use. I love the beautiful skin tones in the paintings used to illustrate this review. It gives a feeling of softness. And look at the beautiful satin rendered in the bottom painting! I live in the USA.

  • A fuller and more satisfying No.5? Sold! I love No. 5 especially the EDT concentration. I’d love to see how Yann Vasnier takes on this classic genre of aldehydic floral. Unfortunately, I’ve never tried anything from Divine. I look forward to trying this one though.

    I’m in Canada. Thanks for the draw.

  • I’m not entering; I already own a bottle of L’Ame Soeur in extrait, and it’s WONODERFUL.

    Just wanted to add a note of appreciation for this fragrance. Caro wrote that L’Ame Soeur feels a bit like Chanel 5 but is more satisfying to her. I have often had a similar thought:it recalls #5, only I believe it’s **better**, and certainly better than the current formulation of #5. Actually every perfume from this house is pretty amazing. I also love the self-named perfume Divine and L’Inspiratrice and am looking forward to trying L’Etre Aime pour Homme, which has a reputation for being a great immortelle perfume.

    A word of caution: Divine makes classical French perfumes with all the complexity that entails. It always takes me more than one wear to feel that I’ve gotten to know the perfume well enough to have an opinion of it. Judge too quickly and you risk underestimating what are truly outstanding perfumes. Luckily the house samples are generous in size and allow for several wears.

  • the comparison with chanel 5 makes me curious. i didnt have the chance to try this house’s perfumes… europe.

  • I enjoyed reading this review and in particular the description of the perfume itself as a truly feminine creation round , soft, creamy, emotional rather than rational with notes that I adore like jasmine, rose, aldehydes and ylang ylang. I never had the opportunity to experience any perfume from Divine House.
    I live in EU and I am a registered reader in Cafleurebon site and Facebook page as well.
    Thank you for this lovely review and draw.
    I also found the artistic pictures very beautiful.

  • This is my fav frag from Divine. I love it and it is an elegant choice, classic and still modern. Great review. Spot on.

    I live in US. Lovely draw!!

  • I love that Caro chose to write about a perfume that debuted in 2004. The only Divine I own is Divine, and I have long wished for something a little heftier and a little more classic. I am so glad this one has been brought to my attention. I’m in the USA

  • Very nice review. I really like the sound of the floral and smoothness to this fragrance. I haven’t tried anything from this house yet, but maybe things change in the future. I’m in Canada and thank you for the draw!

  • I kinda like Chanel no. 5, but not quite. I am very curious to try this. The comparison to Mother’s pearls sounds comforting. Blurring the lines between dreams and reality is what I need during my day with 2nd graders. I often smell my wrists during my work day to transport me. Thanks! I live in the US.

  • I loved her description of pearls as the perfect match for this perfume–I love pearls, but have never tried any perfumes from this line. I’m in the US.

  • This House has been on my to-try list for a while. The review is very well done and makes me want to try this line even more than before. I really liked the description of the fragrance as smoother than No. 5 and “beautiful(ly) diffused” Made me think that this one has a restorative quality about it.
    I live in the U.S.

  • Great review. I liked the comparison to chanel #5. My favorite is l’ame sorry. I live in the US. Thanks so much for the drawing.

  • I haven’t tried any fragrances from this house, but this scent sounds very elegant. I love how smooth and sophisticated this perfume is. Great creation!
    I’m in Canada.
    Thank you!

  • I would love to test L’Ame Souer as I am curious about it being a softer Chanel No. 5 and I also liked the part with the tender mother wearing pearls. Such a beautiful image! Unfortunately, I have not tried anything from this house yet.

    I live in EU. Thanks for the draw!

  • Lovely pictures. A smoother No. 5 sounds so good.
    My favorite from Divine is L`etre Aime.

    I live in Singapore. Thanks for the draw.

  • The idea of a scent with soft, pale, pearl-like glow is very appealing! I haven’t tried any of the Divine line yet, but it’s on my wish list!
    In the US. Thanks for the draw!

  • Thank you for introducing me to Yann Vasnier’s work with Divine Parfums. Classical French perfumery is one of my favorite styles of scent, and I am an admirer of M. Vasnier’s work with Parfums Delrae. Wit is gorgeous. I live in the US and have not yet tried a scent from Divine Parfums. L’Âme Soeur is such a beautiful name for a scent.