L’Artisan Parfumeur is a niche French fragrance brand based in Paris. The brand was started in the 70s when a chemist, Jean Laporte was asked by his friend to create a scent which smelt like bananas that he could wear to a fancy dress party he was going to dressed as a banana. Since then Jean Laporte went on to create many fragrances which evoke natural scents and which have remained unchanged; no reformulation here! This article reviews the L’Artisan Parfumeur fragrances, explaining what each smells like and where you can get them.
In the US, L’Artisan Parfumeur fragrances are available at Saks Fifth Avenue. Harrods and Selfridges also stock the range and they have international shipping.
Table of Contents
- L’Artisan Parfumeur Histoire d’Orangers
- L’Artisan Parfumeur Passage d’Enfer
- L’Artisan Parfumeur La Chasse Aux Papillons
- L’Artisan Parfumeur Un Air de Bretagne
- L’Artisan Parfumeur Fou d’Absinthe
- L’Artisan Parfumeur Mûre et Musc
- L’Artisan Parfumeur Premier Figuier
- L’Artisan Parfumeur Memoire De Roses
- L’Artisan Parfumeur Timbuktu
- L’Artisan Parfumeur Noir Exquis
- L’Artisan Parfumeur Couleur Vanille
- L’Artisan Parfumeur Bana Banana
- L’Artisan Parfumeur Voleur De Roses
- L’Artisan Parfumeur Mandarina Corsica
- L’Artisan Parfumeur L’eau D’Ambre
- L’Artisan Parfumeur Tea For Two
- L’Artisan Parfumeur Bois Farine
- L’Artisan Parfumeur Dzongkha
- L’Artisan Parfumeur Caligna
- L’Artisan Parfumeur Patchouli Patch
L’Artisan Parfumeur Histoire d’Orangers
Histoire d’Orangers is a classic orange blossom perfume. Its very unisex and has a fresh, green undertone which reminds me of sitting under an orange tree in the sunshine.
I’m a big orange blossom fan and have an article on the best orange blossom perfumes; so check that out if you’re a fan too! It think L’Artisan Parfumeur Histoire d’Orangers is a great example of a green, orange fragrance.
L’Artisan Parfumeur Passage d’Enfer
L’Artisan Parfumeur Passage d’Enfer is a really unique fragrance unlike anything I’ve smelt before. It’s a Lily perfume with Incense added; but it isn’t spicy or sweet in the way I find Incense usually presents itself in perfumes. There is a sophisticated woody undertone which adds depth and mystery.
The name Passage d’Enfer translates to Passage of Hell, which is a little bit scary. In my mind I imagine an elegant Parisian lady walking down the passageways of Paris at night. We wonder what she is doing and where she is going, and her fragrance lingers on after she passes us by.
There is cool limited edition version of Passage d’Enfer with a Tiger design on the bottle, as well as an extreme version.
L’Artisan Parfumeur La Chasse Aux Papillons
La Chasse Aux Papillons translates to The Butterfly Hunt and is evokes images of Victorian butterfly collectors in their elegant Parisian townhouses.
The scent of La Chasse Aux Papillons is very floral with Tuberose and Jasmine and a unique Lime Blossom note. This combination creates a very traditional white floral perfume which reminds me a bit of Gucci Bloom.
L’Artisan Parfumeur Un Air de Bretagne
L’Artisan Parfumeur Un Air de Bretagne (An Air of Brittany) is inspired by the norther coast of France where the Brittany region meets the English Channel. I’ve been there a few times and I can confirm that Un Air de Bretagne really does smell just like the bracing wind and fresh sea air of Brittany. It’s super fresh and clean and even has a Seaweed note in there which is very realistic.
If you like ozonic perfumes like Maison Margiela Replica Sailing Day then Un Air de Bretagne is a fragrance for you.
L’Artisan Parfumeur Fou d’Absinthe
L’Artisan Parfumeur Fou d’Absinthe, which translates to Crazy for Absinthe is inspired by the wave of Absinthe consumption in the Bohemian Parisian culture. The fragrance represents the ingredients of Absinthe which include Star Anais, Cloves, Pine and Fir as well as lots of warm Nutmeg. For me, these fragrance notes immediately take me to Christmas time and the scent of warm mulled wine (my article on the best Christmas perfumes).
L’Artisan Parfumeur Mûre et Musc
For me, Mûre et Musc (Blackberry and Musk) isn’t the most accurate name to represent the scent of this fragrance. I don’t get much Blackberry but instead get plenty of green Oakmoss, and Basil with a fresh citrus opening note.
I find L’Artisan Parfumeur Mûre et Musc a more masculine than feminine fragrance; it actually reminds me of the scent of the bathroom after my grandad had finished his morning shave.
L’Artisan Parfumeur Premier Figuier
L’Artisan Parfumeur Premier Figuier is a great Fig fragrance. It is ingeniously combined with Coconut to create a scent which reminds me of summertime. There are lots of green undertones here from a Fig Leaf fragrance note; but primarily this is a unique fruity, green Fig and Coconut.
L’Artisan Parfumeur Memoire De Roses
L’Artisan Parfumeur Memoire De Roses is the brand’s clean, fresh Rose perfume offering. Unlike Voleur De Roses which is a heavy Patchouli and Rose, Memoire De Roses is much more innocent, like a younger sister.
A fresh citrus top note are quickly followed by a soft and feminine rose which is ideal for the day time.
L’Artisan Parfumeur Timbuktu
Timbuktu is a best seller for L’Artisan Parfumeur due to its unique fruit and Incense combination.
Exotic Papyrus and Mango combine with Incense to create a scent which I have never smelt before or since. It’s quite strong and will definitely get you compliments!
L’Artisan Parfumeur Noir Exquis
L’Artisan Parfumeur Noir Exquis (Exquisite Black) is a gourmand woody fragrance which has quite a unique combination. Chestnut and Vanilla initially reminded me of Zadig & Voltaire This Is Her, but Noir Exquis is a more complex scent. Maple syrup, Coffee and Tonka Bean notes add depth and warmth to what is a perfect fragrance for the Fall & Autumn.
This is a unique and interesting fragrance which will make you feel cosy and definitely get you compliments!
L’Artisan Parfumeur Couleur Vanille
L’Artisan Parfumeur Couleur Vanille is a salty Vanilla fragrance which has a dryness that reminds me of Paco Rabanne’s Olympea.
As the Vanilla scent settles it reveals a slightly floral green note which eventually becomes slightly powdery; it’s by no means a simple Vanilla perfume.
L’Artisan Parfumeur Bana Banana
Bana Banana is the original L’Artisan Parfumeur fragrance. Designed for a friend to wear with his Banana fancy dress costume, it really does smell like Bananas. There are other notes in the mix though, and after a while the Banana note fades and the fragrance becomes a powdery violet.
If you want a perfume that smells like Banana then this is a great option for you, but you have to be ok with the powdery dry down.
L’Artisan Parfumeur Voleur De Roses
L’Artisan Parfumeur Voleur De Roses is a Rose and Patchouli fragrance. This common combination can be found across Niche, Designer and even Celebrity fragrances ranges; its a classic pairing.
In Voleur De Roses (which translates to Rose Thief) there is an earthy quality to the scent which creates a natural feel to the scent; like being outside in a rose garden.
L’Artisan Parfumeur Mandarina Corsica
L’Artisan Parfumeur Mandarina Corsica is a really lovely sweet Caramel Orange perfume. Imagine eating a caramel candy coated orange; warm, sweet and cosy, I love Mandarina Corsica. It has similarities to Lalique Soleil which also mixes Caramel and Orange but I think Mandarina Corsica is sweeter and heavier.
Corsica is of course a French island where oranges are grown so I imagine wearing this fragrance on a warm summers evening in Corsica.
L’Artisan Parfumeur L’eau D’Ambre
Amber fragrances are often quite heavy but L’Artisan Parfumeur L’eau D’Ambre is a relatively light, soft Amber perfume. I find that as it fades it can become a bit aromatic with tones of Lavender and Geranium.
L’Artisan Parfumeur Tea For Two
I think that L’Artisan Parfumeur Tea For Two is a super Christmas fragrance. It has a really festive Cinnamon, Spice, and Star Anais fragrance notes in as well as a Gingerbread scent! It reminds me of walking into the kitchen while Gingerbread is in the oven and mulled wine is bubbling on the stove. There is also a Tea and Tobacco leaf note in here which create a slightly leathery, warm undertone perfect for cold winter days.
L’Artisan Parfumeur Bois Farine
L’Artisan Parfumeur Bois Farine is a powdery fragrance that actually smells of peanuts to me! There are lots of woody notes in Bois Farine but they have a sweetness to them that really reminds me of peanuts covered in icing sugar.
L’Artisan Parfumeur Dzongkha
L’Artisan Parfumeur Dzongkha is a dry, woody fragrance with the element of mystery which L’Artisan Parfumeur seems to be able to create in some of their fragrances. There are a lot of notes going on here; a milky Tea note, Incense, Spices, Vetiver and Iris.
I would class Dzongkha as a warm, spicy, aromatic fragrance which is unisex but leaning slightly more towards the masculine side of fragrances.
L’Artisan Parfumeur Caligna
Caligna is a Latin word which means blurred. L’Artisan Parfumeur Caligna is a very aromatic fragrance with strong Clary Sage and woody notes. The main note however is Fig, but it isn’t an overly fruity fragrance at all.
I find L’Artisan Parfumeur Caligna very light, so I recommend it for hot weather or people who prefer a lighter and sensitive nose.
L’Artisan Parfumeur Patchouli Patch
L’Artisan Parfumeur Patchouli Patch is a heavy Patchouli perfume. There are also strong Star Anais and Caraway seed notes in here too.
If you love Patchouli then you might like this fragrance as a reliably strong, clean and slightly sweet Patchouli perfume. If you don’t like Patchouli, steer clear!
