Le Jardin Retrouvé Mousse Arashiyama Review (Maxence Moutte) 2021 + Forest Bathing DRAW

Le Jardin Retrouve Mousse Arashiyama

Le Jardin Retrouve Mousse Arashiyama visual by Kaya Bagamaz

“I grew up in Provence and as a kid, I wanted to be a botanist.  I thought that flowers could be invented and I loved the idea of doing that as a job.” -Perfumer Maxence Moutte

Perfumer Maxence Moutte was trained at Givaudan and happened upon his current role at Le Jardin Retrouvé by chance, at a wedding. As a young aspiring perfumer, he had stumbled upon a bottle of Le Jardin Retrouvé perfume in a Paris boutique. Eager to know more, he sought a meeting with the perfumer, Yuri Gutsatz. Sadly, Yuri was nearing the end of his life and the meeting never took place. Fast forward several years and Maxence meets Michel Gutsatz and his wife Clara Feder at a wedding. “Gutsatz? Any relation to Yuri Gutsatz?” As you can imagine, Clara, Yuri and Maxence had much to talk about. In 2016 when Michel and Clara sought to revive this historic brand, there was only one perfumer they had in mind.

Maxence Moutte perfumer for Le jardin Retrouve

Le Jardin Retrouvé Mousse Arashiyama is the first original perfume composed by Maxence Moutte, photo Paris lab courtesy of the brand

Since 2016, Maxence Moutte has recreated the fragrances of Yuri Gutsatz, replicating them as accurately as possible whilst remaining within the parameters of modern compliance. His work for Le Jardin Retrouvé is unconnected with Givaudan and is purely for this heritage Maison de parfum.

Le Jardin Retrouve mousse mystique

Mousse Mystique candle inspiration from Maxence’s notes

In 2018, when Le Jardin Retrouvé launched a candle range, Maxence was invited to create one and the result was Mousse Mystique, or mystical moss. Customers repeatedly asked if there was a matching eau de parfum. The candle sold out faster than any other in the quartet and when diffusers were introduced, the name, but not the scent, changed to Mousse Arashiyama. The clamour for a fragrance became louder and Le Jardin Retrouvé Mousse Arashiyama eau de parfum was finally launched on November 18th 2021.

Forest bathing

Forest bathing photo by Michelyn (August 2021)

Like all Le Jardin Retrouvé fragrances, it is themed around and inspired by a garden. It invites you to disappear to your happy place surrounded by nature, where arguably, humans do seem to be at their happiest. In the case of Le Jardin Retrouvé Mousse Arashiyama, Maxence was inspired by the breath-taking bamboo forest of Japan’s Arashiyama Park, where the benefits of forest bathing are wisely acknowledged.

Mousse Arashiyama Le Jardin Retrouve

Mousse Arashiyama notes. Visual by Kaya Bagamaz

So what does Le Jardin Retrouvé Mousse Arashiyama smell like? And why did customers fall in love with it? The initial opening spray of Mousse Arashiyama transports you to a deep, green forest carpeted in damp moss. Maxence did not stick to the tourist pathways here but delved deep into the silent heart of the woods.  Muffled by moss and trees, you are surrounded by tranquility. There is a fig accord which is by turns juicy and ripe, milky and tender. A drift of incense from a distant temple passes through the canyon of trees that tower above you.  Once you’re comfortably ensconced in moss, a quiet trickle of aquatic notes helps you locate a still green lake among the silence. All you can hear are the gentle ripples as perhaps a koi carp bubbles to the surface of the cool green pool.

Le Jardin Retrouve Mousse Arashiyama by Maxence Moutte

Clara Feder’s interpretation of Mousse Arashiyama

This is no sea note, nor is there any calone, but an earthy, not-quite-soil-tincture tang that tells you the pool is non tidal. Disconnected from the outside world, it has its own eco system, its own world in miniature. The silence of the forest cuts you off from the bustle as if the bustle had never begun. This is a primal silence that grounds you, aligning you perfectly with the clay from whence you came.

For meditation, for yoga or for inner peace among the noise of the modern world, surrender to the peaceful hush of Le Jardin Retrouve Mousse Arashiyama. True stillness is rare and we should never stop seeking it.

Notes: oakmoss, bergamot, lentiscus, aquatic notes, fig accord, incense, vetiver, cedar

Samantha Scriven, Guest Contributor, co-author of The Perfume Companion with Sarah McCartney and founder of the perfume blog iscentyouaday.

Disclosure: I do regular freelance work for Le Jardin Retrouvé who supplied my 3 x 3ml samples. Opinions are my own.

Mousse Arashiyama is the newest perfume for Le Jardin Retrouve

Le Jardin Retrouvé Mousse Arashiyama box and bottle design by Centdegres and Kaya Bagamaz.

Thanks to the generosity of Michel and Clara at Le Jardin Retrouvé, we have a 50ml Grand Flacon of Mousse Arashiyama eau de parfum for one registered reader WORLDWIDE. You must register here or your comment will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what you enjoyed most about Samantha’s review, whether you have a favourite Le Jardin Retrouvé fragrance and where you live. Draw closes 11/30/21

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebon @JardinRetrouve @iscentyouaday @michel_gutsatz @clarafeder @maxencemoutte

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Former ÇaFleureBon Contributor Aaron Potterman reviews of the brand were amongst the first: Sandalwood Sacre, Cuir de Russie, Tubéreuse Trianon and Citron Boboli Eau des Délices, Verveine d`Été , Rose Trocadéro

Former Sr. Contributor and Guest Contributor Samantha Scriven has written about Le Jardin Retrouve Perfume Experience , Oriental Sans Souci Jasmin Majorelle and The three Le Jardin Retrouve You Should Be Wearing

Read more about Le Jardin Retrouve’s history as the first “niche” perfumery in our Perfumer’s Workshop Legacy Brands here

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46 comments

  • Abigail Scott says:

    Beautiful review – I feel I’m in that forest! This perfume sounds utterly gorgeous and I love the combination of autumnal notes.

  • I enjoyed the photos the most. Bois Tabac Virgnia is my favorite Le Jardin Retrouvé fragrance. I live in Poland, EU.

  • Meditation ,yoga inner Peace says it all. The notes sound wonderful. The art work on the packaging is unique yet vintage touch. I would love to try Le Jardin Retrouve. That you for this chance. USA

  • Samantha’s review is so evocative, it takes me right into the heart of the forest. I haven’t had the chance to try Le Jardin Retrouvé fragrances yet, but as a lover of forest bathing I hope to be able to try Mousse Arashiyama. I live in the UK.

  • The review paints a vivid picture of a very tranquil scene. The notes of moss, incense, and milky fig sound beautiful. I have not tried this house but would like to, In US

  • Claumarchini says:

    I had read previous articles on Cafleurebon about Le Jardin Retrouvé and the amazing story of Maxence Moutte and I would definitely love to try fragrances from the brand. I am extremely fond of green perfumes so I am intrigued by Mousse Arashiyama, and in these days of being always running and stressing I think that it is imperative to take sometime to find peace and quiet.And if one cannot go forest bathing…voilà a perfume that does the trick: it is great!! I also love the bottle, it would be a treat to be the lucky winner. Greetings from Italy

  • Việt Nguyễn says:

    Magnificent review Samantha! I love the smell of moss and forests, and it really is interesting to see how it is translated into the medium of perfumery. I also love the comparison between the scent and a pond. For me, it is quite rare to see a fragrance describing the aquatic and sylvan feel of a lake in the middle of a forest, so I definitely have high hope for Mousse Arashimaya!

    I ordered a bottle of Sandalwood Sacré, and it is on its way to my place. I can’t wait to smell it! I live in Vietnam.

  • Viet.Nguyen2896 says:

    Magnificent review Samantha! I have always enjoyed forest-y and mossy fragrances, and it is such a pleasure to learn that my new favorite house is launching one. I am particularly drawn the the image of a lake in the middle of a forest, as it is an image I rarely see in the world of perfumery.

    I bought a bottle of Sandalwood Sacré, and it is being delivered. I can’t wait to try it out! Greetings from Vietnam.

  • Danu Seith-Fyr says:

    Dear samantha, such a beautiful, heartfelt review, given so much Soul by the connection to the history of Le Jardin Retrouve. Its gentle development to this point of the release of the perfume. Congratulations. we are taken in hushed tones to the heart of a place where tranquility is the only disturbance, softly smoothing out all our ruffled feathers. I would be honoured to own this one. Living in Sw France.

  • This is no sea note, nor is there any calone, but an earthy, not-quite-soil-tincture tang that tells you the pool is non tidal. Disconnected from the outside world, it has its own eco system, its own world in miniature. The silence of the forest cuts you off from the bustle as if the bustle had never begun. This is a primal silence that grounds you, aligning you perfectly with the clay from whence you came.

    For meditation, for yoga or for inner peace among the noise of the modern world, surrender to the peaceful hush of Le Jardin Retrouve Mousse Arashiyama. True stillness is rare and we should never stop seeking it.

    Notes: oakmoss, bergamot, lentiscus, aquatic notes, fig accord, incense, vetiver, cedar. Really intrigued by notes especially Vetiver, incense and Cedar. A house that I am not familiar with but I am intrigued by nonetheless. I am glad there is no calone or sea note. Thanks a million from the United Kingdom

  • Like all Le Jardin Retrouvé fragrances, it is themed around and inspired by a garden. It invites you to disappear to your happy place surrounded by nature, where arguably, humans do seem to be at their happiest. In the case of Le Jardin Retrouvé Mousse Arashiyama, Maxence was inspired by the breath-taking bamboo forest of Japan’s Arashiyama Park, where the benefits of forest bathing are wisely acknowledged. Intrigued by the concept of this house a house that I am not I am afraid. I adore Vetiver and this seems right up my alley. Thanks a lot from the UK

  • Wonderful review, I love how the company took the Japanese idea of forest bathing and transformed it litteraly in occidental way by creating a aquatic mousse fragrance. I like the notes, sounds very promising, even more after reading that their mousse candle is such a bestseller. I am not familiar with other scents from the line but after checking their website I would like to sample Citron Boboli and Cuir de Russia.
    I live in Latvia, EU, thank you for the draw!!

  • As a long time reader of Cafleurebon I remember those first articles
    I have always been interested in forest bathing and the idea behind Le Jardin Retrouve Mousse Arashiyama is very appealing
    After this year it sounds perfect for a quiet escape with perfume
    The candle sounds wonderful too
    USA

  • Oh wow I have never even heard of Le Jardin Retrouvé but this fragrance sounds wonderful! I enjoyed reading the review, especially with the pictures selected alongside the description of the scent.
    Thank you, from Canada!

  • The story of origin is great! Like what a coincidence, it was meant to be. And oh my gosh, the illustrations are wonderful! I never tried any of the perfumes of this brand, but according to the description, I think I would definitely enjoy Cuir de Russie. I live in France. EU.

  • Unfortunately, I have not tried anything by Le Jardin Retrouve, but I am very impressed by the reverent and attentive attitude to the brand’s heritage, I like the form factor that inspired Maxence Moutte when creating the fragrance. You know, I looked at the photos of this forest and was just in great admiration. It’s like a forest from a fairy tale. This is some kind of surreal bamboo grove, not the typical forest we would expect. I’m sure the scent is the same. Beautiful review by Samantha, thank you for bringing the mood of the fragrance through the words.
    I am from the UK.

  • Lovely review, Samantha. Having been to Arashiyama (Storm Mountain) and nearby Tenryuji temple in Kyoto, your review transported me to the happy times spent there. There are many varieties of moss and many of them are grown for different effects in Japanese zen temples, such as Tenryuji and Ginkakuji, and there may be many more. Moss varieties, the ones we saw, were brilliant green, soft and combined with the ambience of surrounding forests and temples, and scents of trees and incense, created a very serene and calming experience for the spirit. Unfortunately, I haven’t tried anything by Jardin Retrouvé, yet, but Jardin Retrouvé Mousse Arashiyama seems to be a perfect one to try and transport myself virtually one’s again to the gorgeous zen gardens of Kyoto. Thanks for your review and also to Jardin Retrouvé for their generous draw. From USA.

  • Thanks for this wonderful article Samantha! After reading this review, I felt more peaceful and relaxed as if I had tested it myself.

    This is my first introduction to the house of Le Jardin Retrouvé, and I am intrigued after reading about the company and their creations. I look forward to going through their catalog and trying out their offerings.

    As a kid who grew up in a rural environment surrounded by forests, I enjoy fragrances that take me back to those times. I spend hours in the forest playing with friends, fishing at the lake and reading in my treehouse. Time was slower back then. More peaceful and quiet. I think Le Jardin Retrouvé would take me back to those times.

    Greetings from the UK!

  • I always reach for forest scents this time of year. Something about the cooler weather makes me yearn for oakmoss, cedar and vetiver. The non-calone aquatic notes are a welcome addition. This sounds like a very calming, grounding fragrance. I’ve not tried any Le Jardin Retrouve fragrances before. I’m in MD, USA.

  • This Mousse Arashiyama calls to me. Samantha’s description is very much the place where I meditate in my mind. I haven’t tried any Le Jardin Retrouve fragrances and I am in the US

  • This sounds like a beautifully well rounded scent one that takes in and releases just the most delicious scents from the forest. And it has incense! In maryland.

  • I enjoyed so much this review because it transports me to a japanese forest and it smells like something I haven´t tried before. I have not tried anything from this house before, but would love to. I am from the U.S.

  • wandering_nose says:

    Among all of the places in nature I would like to be NOW if I could, the quiet and peaceful sea and the completely quiet, deep forest are my dreams. Samantha’s review is therapeutic in itself, evoking the pure stillness of the undisturbed nature. The duality of the fig and the incense aspect sound beyond beautiful! I have not had the chance to test Le Jardin Retrouvé perfumes as of yet but would love to! Thank you from the Republic of Ireland, EU

  • Very nice story, I really enjoyed it.
    I admire Maxence passion and determination.
    This mossy fragrance sounds very meditative and I would love try it. Love the bottle design by the way.
    Kind regards from Mexico.

  • msnitechemist says:

    To transform a candle scent into an EDP must have been a challenge, but it sounds divine with the bergamot. I think we could all do with a little more mindfulness and relaxation. I was not familiar with the house of Le Jardin Retrouvé until this article. Thanks for the draw. I live in the US.

  • Bryant Worley says:

    What I really appreciated about Samantha’s review was her ‘close your eyes and expand your mind’ description of the fragrance – “Muffled by moss and trees, you are surrounded by tranquility. There is a fig accord which is by turns juicy and ripe, milky and tender. A drift of incense from a distant temple passes through the canyon of trees that tower above you. Once you’re comfortably ensconced in moss, a quiet trickle of aquatic notes helps you locate a still green lake among the silence. All you can hear are the gentle ripples as perhaps a koi carp bubbles to the surface of the cool green pool”.

    I live in Waldorf, MD, USA, and I don’t have a favourite Le Jardin Retrouvé fragrance .

  • Beautifully written , Took me back to my visit to Osaka in 2011 . I loved how this scent has plenty of green mossy notes which makes it a perfect autumn wear.
    My favorite from the house is Citron boboli.
    From USA

  • I enjoyed the description of the oakmoss and fig and aquatic notes. I haven’t tried any others from the house. US

  • A deep forest, with smell of moss and the whole idea behind this perfume is what interests me the most. Samantha has beautifully presented this scent into words.
    I dont have tried any perfume yet from this house but i wish to..
    USA

  • Sorohan Adriana says:

    Mousse Arashiyama is a mixed Eau de Parfum inviting to contemplation, serenity and spirituality.
    I am from EU Bucharest Romania Europe

  • What a lovely review!
    I love the serenity that Samantha’s writing evokes.
    The phrase-“surrender to the peaceful hush of Le Jardin Retrouve Mousse Arashiyama-filled me with thoughts of relaxing outdoors, and breathing in fresh air.
    Thank you for the review and the drawing

  • I truly want to try this fragrance. This fragrance contains some of my favorite notes in perfumery, e.g. oakmoss, incense, cedar, vetiver, and fig accord. I want to see what the oakmoss in this like in combination with the aquatic notes, and I want to see what the lentiscus is like. If this is the EDP version of a popular, original candle scent, then that is another reason why I truly want to try this fragrance. I’ve heard of this company before, and I’ve been wanting to try their collected works, but I haven’t tried anything from them yet. I live in MD., U.S.A. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.

  • sephrenia300 says:

    What an enchanting review! What I enjoyed most about Samantha’s review was her description of the fragrance as almost a journey – a walk through deep dark woods of moss and trees, in which the gentle sounds of a lake guide you to the aquatic heart of the perfume. I really love that imagery. I don’t yet have a favorite Le Jardin Retrouvé fragrance as I haven’t tried any yet, but I think from the notes my favorite would be Oriental Sans Souci. I live in the US.

  • Thank you for the beautiful review Samantha!

    I’m a huge fan of the story of this brand, ever since they first started. I loved how they sent out testers with colored dots and decided to go with the dot color with the most favorable response.

    I’m amazed that they are now making their own fragrance. It’s a huge step for Michel and his choice in being chosen as the perfumer for the house is not a coincidence by any means.

    I loved the meditative quality of the scent and the picture that the review created in my minds eye – peace and tranqulity by a shrine near a still pool of water, deep in the jungle.

    Cheers from WI, USA

  • The history and the sense that some things are destined are magical to me. The forest element sounds amazing and Samantha’s description has me almost smelling moss. I haven’t tried anything from Le Jardin Retrouve yet. USA

  • I was smitten from the beginning, I mean, what could be more sweet or beautiful than believing you could invent flowers :).
    Amazing how things fell into place, from Maxence’s curiosity about Le Jardin Retrouvé, the wedding encounter with Yuri’s relatives and the creation of the perfume, like it’s was meant to be.
    Not familiar with anything from the house, must admit it’s the first time of me hearing about LJR.
    I’m in Eu.

  • carlos_lager says:

    Thank you for the great review. This sounds really interesting based on Samantha’s description. I love green perfumes. Until now, I have not smelled a fragrance by Le Jardin Retrouvé yet.
    Greetings from Austria (EU)

  • Ah, forest bathing, what a wonderous thing! Sometimes a walk in the woods is just what the doctor ordered. I enjoyed the intro to this review about the relation to Gutsatz. Kismet! I have not sampled any Le Jardin Retrouve before, however this one does sound very nice indeed. Thank you from Canada.

  • Lovely review Samantha, pictures go perfectly with it as well. That’s awesome that they kept this brand alive!! After reading this it’ll put you in a forest kind of mood, the notes sound perfect for this & time of year oak malls incense vetiver. USA

    Thanks Cafleurebon for the opportunity & good luck everyone!!

  • I loved the review, especially the way Samantha connected the fragrance to nature, or to be more precise – feeling that nature gives to a human being. Great review! I haven’t tried anything from Le Jardin Retrouvé house, but this sounds just right up my alley! I live in Croatia, EU.

  • It was nice to learn a bit about Le Jardin Retrouve story, I not familiar with this niche perfumery. The Mousse Arashiyama sounds wonderful, I was always a big fan of lush green fragrance especially if it contains sweet and milky fig notes. I loved the image of Clara Feder’s interpretation of Mousse Arashiyama. Thank for introduction to Le Jardin Retrouve perfumery and a draw. I am from EU

  • A mesmerizingly beautiful review, as always. I seek for bottled stillness, – Issara is one of those, and I’m eager to know whether Mousse Arashiyama belongs to that tribe, too. I can’t think of another perfume that has prominent moss accord blended with a fig note and also incense, the result must be at the very least unusual.

    Le Jardin Retrouvé is a house I’ve admired for a long time, my absolute favorite being Rose Trocadéro.

    Russia

  • The name is so great and this sounds like a real zen-inducing perfume. I love calming and grounding scents and also these aquatic notes blended with aromatic woods, fig and oakmoss seem to really be able to do the trick.
    Never smelled any Le Jardin Retrouve perfume before.
    I live in Denmark.

  • Michael Prince says:

    What I enjoyed about Samantha’s review is learning about Le Jardin Retrouvé Mousse Arashiyama. I loved learning about how Michel and Clara met with perfumer Maxence Moutte who has recreated the fragrances of late perfumer of Le Jardin Retrouve Yuri Gutsatz. Mousse Arashiyama is a beautiful earthy and green fragrance with inspiration coming from bamboo forests it sounds amazing. I haven’t tried anything from Le Jardin Retrouvé so I don’t have a favorite. I am from Ohio, USA.

  • Everything about forest bathing appeals to me, and especially this very specific scene evoked here. I even enjoy just reading about it. I haven’t tried any Le Jardin Retrouvé scents. (USA)