Molinard Vanille Patchouli and Cuir (Célia Lerouge-Bénard) 2015~Fragrance Review + Les Éléments Collection Draw

Le Chateau de Molinard (via Molinard for my use in 2009)

Molinard is one of the most storied  Houses in all of French Perfumery. Its history dates from 1849, when a small shoppe opened in Grasse and quickly became a favorite among the wealthy and royalty. In the early 1900s,  M. Adam Sittler, the founder and first generation of perfumers opened a factory and chateau that continues to be a major tourist and historical attraction in the area; it is still family owned.

Photos of vintage ads and  certificates that Sebastian took in 2013 Lalique Molinard

There you can see how the fragrances are created in their factory, step back into time and visit the museum of Molinard perfumes throughout history and the beautiful Lalique flacons. Habanita, created in 1921 is iconic, but there are many more Molinard vintage and contemporary scents that tell the House's story.

Célia Lerouge-Bénard and her father Jean-Pierre Lerouge-Benard via instagram

Today the House of Molinard is still creating wonderful and memorable perfumes. Célia Lerouge-Bénard is the fifth generation of perfumers and the first woman executive in Molinard  history (Guerlain could have learned from Molinard!). I met and spent quite some time interviewing her father Jean-Pierre Lerouge-Benard (who had been the President at that time since 1961) in 2009 (the interview appears on Fragrantica).

Vintage Habanita bottles at the Molinard Musee (Photo: Sebastian December 2013)

He immediately pegged me as a woman who wore Habanita (which I did and do). M. Pierre Lerouge-Benard told me “MOLINARD heritage is a kind of culture, which goes from one generation to the next one. Truly my daughters are the next link in the generational chain that is our history and our future." -Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief

Molinard Vanille Patchouli + Cuir Review | Win A Bottle Of Each (USA Giveaway)

 ÇaFleureBon's Sr Contributor Sebastian Jara and the fragrance reviewer of the YouTube Channel Looking Feeling Smelling Great, and founder of a popular Facebook Group, introduces us to two modern Molinard fragrances, both from Les Elements Collection: Vanille Patchouli and Cuir.

Disclosure: Sebastian received Molinard Vanille Patchouli and Cuir for  possible review. His opinions are his own

 

Molinard Vanille Patchouli EDP and Molinard Cuir EDP (Photo by Sebastian for CaFleureBon)

Thanks to Europerfumes the US distributor of Molinard we have a 75 bottle each of Vanille Patchouli and Cuir to a registered CafleureBon reader and Looking Feeling Smelling Great subscriber in the USA ONLY. If you are not sure if you are registered click here (you must register on our site or your entry will be invalid. To be eligible please leave a comment ON THIS SITE with what you enjoyed about Sebastian’s YouTube review, what you learned about Molinard, which you might prefer of the two reviewed and why would you like to win.  Draw closes 7/24/ 2017.

You can follow us @cafleurebon @lookfeelsmellgreat on Instagram. Check out on @Offical_ europerfumes and @molinardparfums

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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37 comments

  • fazalcheema says:

    Molinard is a house I encountered early in my research for classical brands because Habanita is a legend. Sebastian talks fondly of his visit to Molinard in France several years ago. He praises this line because the label gives a good idea of what the perfume is about. Patchouli is about patchouli and so on. I am more intrigued by Cuir because it has lot of sides. It has a fresh side, oudy side, and other notes I enjoy like Saffron. I prefer Cuir. I am in the US.

  • roxhas1cat says:

    Wow, I was on youtube.com doing some study/work and Sebastian’s video popped up, of course I had to take a break. I now have 2 patchouli’s spritzed on my wrists to decide which one I want the full bottle of. Thanks Sebastian for complicating my decision. Now I want to try Molinard’s. I loved seeing the museum in the video clip. That looks like a super cool place to visit. I have heard of Habanita somewhere, but didn’t know which house it belonged to. Thanks Cafleurebon and Sebastian for keeping us in the know!!!! I would love to win this, especially the Vanille Patchouli because it would simplify my decision making! 🙂

  • Brian says:

    As always, Sebastian does a great job reviewing! Precise and to the point. I learned a lot about the house, as I’m unfamiliar with it thus far. I’ve been on a soft, vanilla, leather, musk kick lately, so both of these sound perfect! I’d probably prefer Vanille Patchouli at the moment, but that all can change in a moment….

  • Eric says:

    Loved the review.love vanilla and patchouli and cuir sounds loke it would be nice in fall or winter.

  • NiceVULady says:

    I liked Sebastian’s specificity regarding notes, comparisons between the two and the projections of both. I’d like to try the Cuir as it has some aspects with which I am unfamiliar and this would then be a bit of a learning experience as well as an olfactory one. Thanks for the draw.

  • Vahagn says:

    As always I love Sebastian reviwes. I know from his revies about Molinard’s diferent colletions, about this 2 perfumes notes and about habanita’ heritage.
    i like cuir, patchouli and vanill, si Id like to try that perfumes.
    But I’d like to win CUIR.
    USA, DE

  • Mack Elwood says:

    Another great review. First, those photos were awesome! This is a new house for me but, at least for this collection, it sounds perfect. Of the two, I may prefer Vanille Patchouli, but they both sound rather interesting. Thanks!

  • Tom Schroeder says:

    What I enjoy about Sebastian’s review is how much he obviously loves Molinard, and his brief description of his visit to Grasse and what Molinard is known for. Sebastian clearly conveys his admiration of the approach for the Les Elements collection, where each fragrance has a central theme per its name, but is balanced and supported by other notes. I love to be introduced to reasonably priced and high quality perfumes, and the Les Elements collection seems ideal. I would be hard pressed to choose between Vanille Patchouli and Cuir because I enjoy both notes, but would probably go with Cuir first because it seems a bit more complex and I have more Vanilla based fragrances than Leather.

  • ALAIN BROWN says:

    Sebastian’s review was very informative, as usual. I’d definitely love to visit the museum very rich history. The Vanille Patchouli sounds awesome! Would definitely love to try both. Thanks again for the link Sebastian and for the introduction to Molinard.

  • mrpeeck says:

    Sebastian did it again! I always enjoy his videos! I remember the video from his visit to the perfumery in Grasse and also his review of a beloved fragrance he recommended, Patchouli Intense that I just can’t get enough of! These two fragrances of Molinard Vanille Patchouli and Cuir both sound like winners. I like the sound of a smoother Patchouli with the vanilla added and the spiced leather in cuir. Yes I think these two fragrances would be right up my alley! I would like to win because outside of listening to reviewers and making stupid blind buys I really don’t get in the city very often to put nose around different scents. I usually have to make blind buys which doesn’t always work out as well as would hope for. BUT, the purchases I’ve made because of Sebastian’s reviews… Ya, A+ he has a really good nose! I do live in the US. THANK YOU

  • JozefJak says:

    I love Sebastian’s videos for his passion, another good review as I haven’t met with this house and their products. I’d love to try that scents, especially that perfumes is my quite a new hobby, and I’m not experienced with recognising particular notes in perfumes. My address is in Huston, TX

  • Adrian Horga says:

    Great review of this house by Sebastian. I would love to try them. Greetings from Arizona USA.

  • Hasib says:

    Haven’t heard of this House
    Would love to check it out
    Hopefully I can get this gift
    Thanks ✌

  • Sean R says:

    I love the note break down. I have never tried this Fragrance house and would love to try this fragrance house.

  • Selina says:

    I love how thorough Sebastian’s reviews are. He gives so many details that you have a good feel for the fragrance that he is reviewing. I would love to win because Molinard fragrances are not readily available where I live and can be difficult to find online. I think I would like them both, but may prefer Vanille Patchouli. Thanks for the giveaway!

  • Gina says:

    I like his exploration of Cuir and the note breakdown. That is the one that calls to me! I am very familiar with the house. I own or have tried:
    I have tried or own these:
    Violette
    Habanita (modern EDP)
    Les Senteurs Mure Blackberry
    Vanille Fruitee EDP
    Vanille Patchouli EDP
    Ambre EDT
    Habanita (vintage)
    Molinard de Molinard (parfum)
    Les Orientaux Patchouli

    God bless us on the animalic leather. I don’t love citrus but if it burns off in the top the middle and base sound amazing. I love their vintages. I need more leathers. Habanita is a fave. I have modern and vintage.

  • Jerry conn says:

    Sebastian, when I was a college student studying art history and the great painters, Grasse was where roses came from to perfume the artist studios. The storied damask rose perfumed all of French royalty and was kept protected. Today it houses the best rose odeurs in the industry. I admire your visit there. How exciting to smell first hand the perfumed walls of Grasse. I look forward to the next story of fragrance from your travels.

  • Nahanni Riversong says:

    So happy to have be reminded of this house again. Wonderfully informative review and sometimes it is so refreshing to have simplistic perfumes. I believe it to be more of an art to refine a note or two instead of some of the more complex fragrances we see lately. I can’t wait to try a few of these.. especially interested in the Violette.

  • Patty P says:

    I learned Molinard is quite an old house. And it’s refreshing their offerings are much more affordable than most. Thank you for offering both bottles in one draw. 🙂 US

  • Diana D. says:

    I always love Sebastian’s reviews! He makes me want to run out and buy whatever he reviews!

    I have never tried anything from Molinard. I didn’t realize how affordable they are. I love the sound of Vanille Patchouli. It sounds warm and earthy.

    I live in New York (USA)

  • SandiL says:

    Loved the review, the photos are awesome. I have Habinata and Molinard de Molinard. Thanks for the draw.

  • Beata Dufresne says:

    I have learned my love for perfumes long time ago on Molinard’s creations. Sebastian’s review was exciting because he shared his own experience while visiting Molinard in Grasse and he posted photos of the vintage parts of the perfume house. To me, the Cuir one seems more attractive as I’m a big fan of leather fragrances. I learned that they have changed their designs of the bottles and offer such a wide variety of scents. I would love to win because the review got me super excited about Molinard again and both fragrances sound amazing! I’m in the US.

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    As always, Sebastian entertains with wonderful reviewing! Molinard perfume house has an amazing history and the photos of the Molinard museum in the video intends to visit the museum in a life time for a truly perfume lover. I am lucky that I have a bottle of the famous and iconic Habanita EDP. My choice if I win is Molinard VANILLE PATCHOULI because of the perfect blend as mentioned by Jara.
    Thanks to Europerfumes for the generosity & CafleureBon for the opportunity by letting my relative address in US.

  • Paulie says:

    Sebastian is a class act and he does great reviews. simple. been watching him for a long time now, so I don’t have to elaborate. Honestly I don’t know anything about this house. The review sounded interesting and who doesn’t like to win free stuff? Plus damn those bottles are really stand out!

    cheers.
    USA

  • Dane says:

    The Cuir sounds amazing. I would love to try both if those reviewed, and the rest of the collection sounds pretty good as well.

  • Laurels says:

    I really loved the vicarious visit to the Molinard perfumery in Grasse. I didn’t know it was open to the public, and now I have added Grasse to my list of places I must visit someday. I have a bottle of Habanita, and I love everything about it–the scent, the bottle, the history, everything. I suspect I would like both Cuir and Vanille Patchouli, and I’d like to try anything from the perfumery that makes Habanita. I am in the US.

  • Chet Vhr says:

    Sebastian’s in depth knowledge and his great taste of perfume make the reviews very addictive. Its very amazing that Molinard perfumery which has such a long heritage, but still sell their perfumes at such great price. I would love a chance to win a bottle of Cuir. Living in Missouri, USA

  • magNETO says:

    Cuir to me sounds like a fragrance that i would love but honestly im sure both are probably amazing i do not own a niche fragrance. I would love to win this and have my first niche fragrance. Thank you for the opportunity i am in California, USA

  • ntabassum92 says:

    I like the comparison of two fragrances from the line, so we can see the range of things that are offered. Thanks for telling us which one is more heavy and which one is closer to the skin because I wouldn’t have expected that from Vanille Patchouli. I learned that they have a museum type thing with all the versions of Habanita, that is super cool!! I think I would prefer Vanille Patchouli because those two notes together are divine. I would like to win because Sebastian has great taste! So I am sure these are wonderful 🙂

  • Daniel G says:

    Sebastian is correct when he mentions that beginners to fragrances would benefit from picking up some fragrances that focus on one or a few notes. This way, you will start to develop your own way of picking out vanilla or patchouli, etc. Likewise, I see Sebastian is perfecting his French pronunciation of “Cuir” 🙂 Truth be told, I actually thought that Molinard was a newer fragrance house, but after reading this article, find that it began in 1849. This is the reason why I would like to win…owning a piece of history. Of the two, I think my preference would be Vanille Patchouli as the note combination is one of my favorites. Sometimes simple compositions are better.

  • Donald Chines says:

    Nice to see this perfume company get some attention. I enjoyed seeing the musuem in the video and learning that there are 5 generations of perfumers from the family. Cuir sounds more my speed, but my wife might like the Vanille patchouli. Very affordabel. There are a few now on my to try list
    Great video Sebastion, you are the best

  • Nadine says:

    One thing I love about Sebastian’s review is that he has yet again exposed
    me to another of the less popular fragrance houses. This history of the development of this company is also quite interesting. I do think the Molinard Vanille Patchouli would be the best match for my personality as it is a more laid back reserved fragrance, vanilla and patchouli are also two of my favorite fragrance notes. Great review as always Seb.

  • tarena says:

    Great review! Molinard is a house that’s new to me so it’s nice to learn a bit of history on them. I had no idea they’ve been around for such a long time. It’s also very cool to hear that Célia Lerouge-Bénard is the first woman executive for Molinard! While both fragrances sound great, Vanille Patchouli is more line for my tastes. Patchouli always pairs well with sweeter notes, especially vanilla. Also love the bottle design- that sleek purple is stunning! US 🙂

  • xoe says:

    I love Sebastian’s enthusiasm. Also, I watched the video with the closed captioning on. They captioned “Vanille Patchouli” as “Funny Patchouli” and that made me laugh, and want a funny patchouli scent. Maybe I’ll make one for my incense collection.

    About Molinard, I learned that I am extremely jealous of their wealth and elegance. And I want to go to there.

    I’d love to win funny patchouli aka Vanille Patchouli.

    I am in the US

  • Raee says:

    I love Sebastian reviews I think that’s he is the best in the game and I love vanilla as well as patchouli.

    Would love to try this house. The presentation is minimal and looks good.

    In USA.