New Perfume Review: Au Pays de la Fleur d’Oranger Rose Irisée and Violette Sacrée + Fearless Flowers Draw

au pays de la fleurs d'oranger Fantasy Blooms Model Caroline Trentini

"Fantasy Blooms" | Model: Caroline Trentini, Photographer: Steven Meisel, Vogue Australia, July 2008

Au Pays de la Fleur d'Oranger has become one of my favorite new fragrance finds. The Perfumery was founded in 1998 by Virginie and Antoine Roux around the inspiration of the hardy bitter orange tree that stands in their garden,  but the  two new spring 2014 releases in Collection les Inédites, composed by Jean-Claude Gigadot, get their bloom from other florals. Rose Irisée and Violette Sacrée both showcase flowers beloved by Victorians, but  have a thoroughly modern take on classic florals that are totally 21st century.

Roseirisee au pays de la fleur d'oranger

Modern Glass Extension on a 5 story London House: Photo Design Milk

 Rose Irisée opens with top notes of bergamot, sweet orange, and wormwood studding heart notes of almond, rose, orris, and ylang-ylang.  Its first impression is the vaguely rosy scent of vintage lipsticks and powders, but on my skin, the almond and orris rise up and take over, creating a cool and slick metallic surface that brings to mind iris far more than rose.  The blue light of dusk viewed through the glass windows of modern architecture characterizes this phase.

karlie kloss speechless

 Karlie Kloss, "Speechless," 2012

Base notes of musk, cedar, patchouli, vanilla and sandalwood humanize Rose Irisée without overly warming it.  Imagine kissing the cool cheeks of a modern it girl who has been standing in air conditioning posed as a silent movie star for an editorial photo shoot and you'll understand this diva.

 

au pay de la fleur d'orangerviolet irisee coco rocha

Coco Rocha by Sofia Sanchez & Mauro Mongiello

Violette Sacrée is a more playful fragrance than Rose Irisée.  Top notes of bergamot, violet, and violet leaves remind me of C. Howard candies, but underneath this confection is a bouquet of rose, jasmine, orange blossom and lily of the valley at the heart that bypasses childish and goes straight to chic. The violet scent never fades, it just deepens over time.

audreyhepburncigarettegirl

 Audrey Hepburn as Cigarette Girl, Laughter in Paradise, 1951

Base notes of cedar, vetiver, and musk add an unexpected smokiness that bring to mind the cigarette girls from vintage movies.  Although we know better now, there was a time when a puff of smoke was glamorous, and this hint of the forbidden makes for a delightful juxtaposition with the girlishness of the violet.

au pays de fleur d'oranger rose irisee violet sacree logo cafleurebon

Both new fragrances live up to the spirit of the name of their collection, which means "never been done before."  There are thousands of floral fragrances on the market, but  Rose Irisée and Violette Sacrée , both available as eau de parfums in 100 ml bottles , have a unique viewpoint bridging vintage and modern sensibilities.

Disclaimer: Review based on samples provided by Sens Unik, the US Distributor.

Writer's Note: If it was up to me I would name Rose Irisée "Irisée Rose. For those looking for a less spendy Iris-centric luxury perfume than the uber pricey  niche brands out there, at $125 for 100ml  Rose Irisée is as good if not better .

Nancy Knows, Sr. Editor and Beauty Editor

Editor's Note: You can read Managing Editor Tama Blough's reviews of  Au Pays de la Fleur D'Oranger Inédites Figue Fruitée, Jasmine Révé,Tubereuse Rosée, Bergamote Boisée, Lavande Ombrée here.

Thanks to the generosity of Indigo Perfumery, we have a draw for a 100 ml bottle of the reader's choice of Rose Irisée or Violette Sacrée for one lucky U.S. reader.  To be eligible, please leave a comment indicating which Au Pays de la Fleur d'Oranger fragrance is your favorite as well as which fragrance you would like to win and why. Draw closes May 20, 2014

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

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37 comments

  • Thanks to a wonderful friend I was able to sample both and eventhough the Irisee Rose is lovely and to my nose feminine and easy to wear, it was the dry down of Violette Sacree that commanded my attention. I am a complete fan of the Au Pays Fleur D’Oranger Intense EDP….so delicious on and a complete attention getter. 🙂

  • julesinrose says:

    I have not tried any from this house, so I’ve not got a favorite *yet.* I love C. Howard Violet candies, and any scent that smells similar is one I’d love – more so if it has more depth – so I think I’d fall in love with Violette Sacrée, so that one would (of course) be my choice.

    Love the photograph at the top of the post! Thanks for the draw and cheers!

  • You got me with Iris and Ylang-ylang. Plus I just fell in love with their Bergamote Boisee. So both sound good, but I have to lean toward the Rose Irisee. Thanks for the wonderful draw!

  • I hope to visit Indigo in person the next time we see our Ohio relatives. Thanks for a great draw. Jasmine Revee is my favorite fragrance in the line, and I would like to win Rose Irisee. I am in the US.

  • Neroli Blanc Intense is my favorite from this line because it’s strong and sweet like me. I would like to win Violet Sacree because the sound of it reminds me of my grandmother’s garden. I am in the U.S.

  • leathermountain says:

    I’ve never tried this line, but I think I would very much like Rose Irisee. I’m in the US. Thanks so much for the review and the draw.

  • rodelinda says:

    I’ve never tried any from this line, but I suspect that Violet Sacree would be my favorite because I adore violets. I’m in the US. Thanks!

  • It’s impossible for me to list a favorite from this house, I am such a fan of all of them. APdlFDO has bridged the classics to the very updated and modern and beautiful. I adore the Violet Sacree, Figure Fruitee, Neroli Blanc Intense and oh yes the Bergomote Boisee is beautiful also. Thanks to Indiogo for the draw, would love the Rose Irisee to add to my APdlFDO wardrobe. Great review Nancy.

  • Thank you! I am a US reader. I think my favorite fragrance would be Figue Fruitee, because I always enjoy wonderful fig scents. I would love to be lucky enough to win Rose Irisee, I was immediately drawn to the combination of rose, almond and sweet orange. I also think the description of the type of girl this fragrance calls to mind seems very interesting to me.

  • Elizabeth T. says:

    I have not tried any from this house but after reading your reviews it looks like I need to. Rose Irisee would be atop my list. Thank you as always for the generous draw! I am in the USA.

  • This is cool, rose irisee. I have never come across that mixture and since I love rose, I would love to try it. I have not tried any perfumes from this brand but want to. I’m in US.

  • Jennifer witt says:

    I am new to this line, so I don’t have a favorite, but I would love to win the Rose Iriser as I love love love roses in all thier incarnations, and from your vivid description I am sure this scent would make me smile. I live in MN, united states, thanks for the contest and the reviews.

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    i have not smelled any but from the notes, my favorite maybe Bergamote Boisee.due to contrast between citruses and woods. In this draw, i would like to win Violette Sacree. I am in the US. thanks for the draw

  • I have tried the Neroli Intense and will be getting a bottle. It’s a very happy perfume! The Violette Sacree is the one I would pick if I win. I am in the US!

  • I haven’t yet had the chance to try any favorites from this line, but I would want to win Violette Sacree- I love the smell of violet and the puff of smoke in the drydown sounds lovely. I’m in teh US.

  • Really beautiful write up on this often unheard of line. My favorite is Neroli Blanc and I would love to try Rose Irisee. I am in the US

  • I have not tried anything from this line, but the names of their scents sound intriguing. I’d love to try Violette Sacree–violets are so hard to get balanced correctly between floral and green–and so I am always on the lookout for a new violet-centric fragrance. I’m in the USA. Great review!

  • I have never sampled any from this line . Rose – iris is my favorite combination and I am anxious to try the Rose Irisee , if it is not TOO cool and metallic .

  • The Au Pays de la Fleur d’Orangerscent that calls to me the most is “Lavande Ombrée” (lavender spiked with spices and wrapped in leather! mmm).

    Though both scents speak to me I believe the Rose Irisée with its modern architecture view of dusky blues edges out the slight smokiness of the more playful Violet Sacrée.

    Many thanks for the generous draw! US resident.

  • I have not yet tried something from this line.

    I’m going to choose the Violette Sacree. I acutally have a pack of Chowards violet candy right here. And I love how they smell and taste.
    USA ty

  • tomate farcie says:

    My favorite is Bergamote Boisée. I would choose Rose Irisée. The combination of notes really intrigues me; the bergamot and sweet orange with the almond and orris. I’m in the US.

  • d3m0licion says:

    I have not tried anything from this line yet but I’d love to try (and win) Violette Sacree. I live in the US. thanks for another cool draw.

  • By the way, Congratulations Nancy on the promotion to Sr. Editor, Beauty and Fragrance! Well deserved and looking forward to some beautiful “Beauty” posts and reviews!

  • Oh, I’ve not heard of this house before but I’m excited to try several of the fragrances from this house. I’d love to try and to win Violette Sacrée, as I absolutely adore violet and orange blossom together!

    I’m in the US, and thanks for the opportunity!

  • My favorite from the line is Figue Fruitèe. I would love to try Rose Irisèe because I love iris and I love different takes on the Rose theme in perfumes. I’m in the US. Thanks so much!

  • silvrolive says:

    It looks like I’m not alone in never having tried scents from Au Pays de la Fleur d’Oranger, but it looks like there will be some new samples to add to my wish list! That is the joy of reading these columns. You never know what you will discover!
    I would like to try Violette Sacree because of it’s playful violet and because I am on a violet kick right now 🙂
    I live in the US. Thanks!

  • I’ve never been able to try any of this line but I love the perfume house’s name. Violet is one of my favorite scents so I’d like to win Violette Sacree. Thanks for the draw.

  • I’ve never tried anything from this house, but Neroli Blanc Intense is at the top of my “to try” list. The Violet Sacree sounds divine with its puff of smoke.

  • I’m not yet familiar with this line, but I would love to try Rose Irisée. I’m in the US. Thanks!

  • FearsMice says:

    Like many others, I haven’t tried anything from the line yet, either. I’m torn between iris and violet, as I love both, but ultimately I think I’d choose Rose Irisée — and it’d all the better if it were to lend me just a bit of the cool glamour of Karlie Kloss in the photo above! I’m in the US; thanks for the draw.

  • Hello I live in the US and my favorite is Fig Fruitee, as i love fig perfumes. I must say though I would love to try Violet Sacree as it sounds right up my alley with all my favorite notes and I don’t have a favorite Violet perfume as of yet. Thank you for the draw!!

  • I have not tried any of the scents in this line, but they sound delightful. I will have to seek them out.
    I would love to win the Violette Sacrée.
    I live in the US, and thank you so much for the drawing.

  • I would like to win this Violtte Sacree which I have already smelled a sample of. 🙂 isa

  • Very lovely reviews. I would love to win Violette Sacree, the playfulness mentioned appeals to me. I have yet to try any from this line, but am looking forward to the chance. Thanks so much for the draw. I’m in the U.S.

  • I’ve been wanting to try everything from this house – the name alone is alluring. I would love to win Rose Irisee. Thanks so much for the draw! I’m in the U.S.

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    I have not yet tried any fragrances from Au Pays de la Fleur d’Oranger fragrance , but I would like to win Violette Sacrée because it sounds complex and textured. I need a new floral scent for summer.