Reve Indien

Since i'm a huge fan of shalimar, i'm extremely open to smell anything that smells like it. I like this because it feels like you're trying alternate reality versions of your favorite perfumes. Sometimes they're the same with slight differences, sometimes one perfume focuses on one part of the other perfume's composition (honoré payan opoponax with shalimar middle/drydown, for example) And yes, as all the reviews have stated, reve indien is indeed very close to shalimar. Shalimar without bergamot, smoke or leather. The citruses in the opening of reve indien are way juicier, and combined with the vanilla and benzoin, it creates this orange creamsicle effect sans lactonic notes. Surprisingly, this works really well as it transitions into the heavier and skankier notes, which are even more similar to shalimar's post bergamot stages. Where it diverges, is the amount of florals. The rose in shalimar has never been noticeable to me, but here it is much more present. It is a dusty rose, no fresh watery lychee synthetic peony fake rose. This blends extremely well with the resins and unlisted spices (i'm guessing clove). The jasmine is untampered, meaning it contributes to the perfume without being stripped away from its indolic notes. It smells like jasminum polyanthum specifically, a (to me) very mediterannean jasmine. This part makes it much more animalic , but much more differently than a civet note. The patchouli is combined with the resins to create your classic (and perfect) amber accord. I'm unsure if i smell benzoin or opoponax, it has the powderiness and herbalness/medicinal aspect of opoponax but also the sweetness of benzoin. Maybe both? Since both smell naturally vanillic I don't think i pick up on a seperate vanilla note. Which is good as the cakey vanilla in grain de soleil wouldn't have worked here. It surely has it's differences from shalimar, and i would never say that this is an alternative to it (you can't replace a goddess) but I think it is amazing in it's own right. I also believe this would be better as a daytime summer shalimar, as shalimar can be considered too heavy for a hot summer day (which idgaf about but still). Reve indien has just a touch more transparency and florality, which makes it different enough to warrant owning both. Is it a must buy if you love shalimar? Probably not. Do you like shalimar but think it's too intense to wear? Rêve indien could be perfect for you!

Visiting Paris a few years back, and after going down the stairs of the Sacré Coeur basilica in Montmartre, I noticed a shop I never saw before. Being a true Parisian living in London over 16 years, I straight away thought that things had changed a lot after so much time, particularly not having visited this area of Paris for years. The shop in question blended really well in the bohemian style proper to Montmartre and sold home articles, Provençal style. In one area of the shop was a counter where perfume bottles, shower gels and soaps were displayed in an other. I was straight away attracted to Rêve Indien, and sprayed the top of my hand. Wow! Smells like Shalimar, my fragrance signature, I thought. Being faithful to Guerlain, It was a dupe, and how dared they imitated my favourite fragrance. I left the shop and thought to myself: "this is a pale copy, give it an hour and the fragrance would disappear". WRONG! One hour later, I was still smelling my hand completely gobsmacked by how similar RI and Shalimar were, and walked back to my hotel with a 200ml bottle of RI bought for less than €40. On my iPad I then googled RI to find out more about it and read a posting saying it was indeed a copy of Shalimar. Also, as coincidentally Fragonard have their perfume factory in Grasse, same as Guerlain. Grasse is close to Nice, where most French perfumes are elaborate. Very strange indeed... Copy or not copy, RI is definitely my alternative to Shalimar when I do not want to spray my precious liquid. Very good for work, gym, snuggled in a blanket with a good book or watching a great movie. Very comforting, long lasting and good sillage without being overpowering. Also, like its twin sister, RI is a good unisex perfume. Love it!

I wanted a bottle for quite some time even though I never had the opportunity to try it. Over the years, I became a bit obsessed with my bottle of Shalimar in edp and I had to admit to myself that it became important to me. It kept getting better with age. Every time I wore it, I loved it more and promising myself to wear it more often. It was not even that old, 2015 was a great year for Shalimar. Bad one for l'Heure Bleue and Mitsouko. I loved it so much that I contemplate getting edt and perfume, no other version still in production has found any grace to my nostrils. Rêve Indien held potential, Fragonard does things properly. And I was not disapponted. It is not a Shalimar dupe, by any means, but it could be a very succesful flanker. I would fit in Ode à la Vanille line, Sur la Route de l'Inde would be the most appropriate name. The opening is quite short, floral middle is opulent and nicelly done, but the star is this deep, earthy, but delicately spicy, vanilla. Slightly ambery and dryer than I expected. That makes it easier to wear in summer. More aromatic than lascivious. That would be the patchouli. There is nothing animalic or leathery in sight. Nothing sweet, sticky or fruity either. Very tastefully done, as always. Smooth, comfortable and with great longevity too. I still prefer Shalimar in edp, but this is a very good alternative/version. Guerlain is, apparently, determined to produce a version of Shalimar to please just about everybody's taste. Strangely, this one is more faithful to the spirit of the original than most.

UPDATE: Fragonard has recently redesigned their packaging, including for Rêve Indien. * * * An ambery, powdery, exotic dream in a golden juice, a scent similar to Shalimar but earthier. Inexpensive too, in a 200ml bottle with pretty pouch (aluminum-bottled refills available). I've grown fond of Fragonard, an historic perfumery (founded 1926) and headquartered in Grasse, France. You get cool gifts with purchases over a certain amount; in fact, I blind-bought Rêve Indien just to receive the gifts, which included a cute watch with a dark-rose band and adorable birds-and-flowers design on its square face. Then came the surprise that I loved the eau de toilette immediately!✿ Scent family: Floral Longevity on me: moderate to long-lasting

Yes, I can smell the similarity to Shalimar. One of the main reasons why I bought this. Only where Shalimar stays dirty this one dries to a mellow amber, vanilla leather on me and the top notes are a little more harsh. But that only lasts for a few minutes, before it releases it's oriental amber aroma. In the final dry down, this is a fragrance that stands on it's own. Very reasonably priced too, so I can spray to my heart's desire when I want that Shalimar vibe (my favorite fragrance), but don't want to waste the precious with only a short wear time. (I teach fitness classes, so I shower a lot....losing the perfume I'm wearing every time and needing to reapply often) Also, that bell jar looking bottle is huge!

Thank you mister_chaz for swapping me a decant of this fragrance, it is georgeous. From the notes listed here you may think that this fragrance is quite simple but you would be wrong, i'm sure that are many undercover notes because this composition smells so complex. The most interesting thing that i have noticed about this scent, so far, is that it actually gets stronger or rather deeper as time passes peeking about 7 hrs after it is first applied; then it gradually subsides. I definitely have to spend some more time with this fragrance maybe then it will reveal itself to me but so far i'm loving what i'm smelling.

Eons ago I visited the Fragonard factory in Grasse. I still have my little aluminum bottle of Reve Indien. I was told that in such a container the scent would never spoil. Man, they were not kidding. I swear it smells as good as when I got it. And I'm talking more than two decades ago. I remember the nice SA told me this was their version of Opium, which I adore. Well, perhaps I wouldn't go that far, but, yes, it is in the same category. I love to wear this. A couple of swabs go a long way. Brings so many memories of that lovely trip to Grasse.

This is Shalimar on a budget. There are, however, some differences. Shalimar is much more sophisticated. Let me say it this way: Shalimar has beautiful phases. It goes from sparkling bergamot to a soapy luxurious scent, to then finish in a powdery vanilla with amber. Reve Indien goes from strong straight to amber and vanilla. Nonetheless it is an absolutely beautiful fragrance, perfectly unisex and a total bargain! I purchased the bottle and the 700ml refill on my trip to Grasse : ) I highly recommend it!

A delicious warm and balmy/balsam scent. Spicy, powdery and floral, vanilla and patchouli in the drydown. It's round, soft and comforting like a nice cashmere scarf or sweater. It smells old in a good way, a beautiful antiques store, vintage powdery cosmetic scent, incense from a temple. For me it's good for colder weather but it's not suffocating or headache enducing at all, can be worn all year round if you wish to. Longevity is excellent for an EDT, can still smell it on my skin after a day.

This is Shalimar for a short while, but soon one notices more patchouli, less citrus; more amber, less vanilla. It is a nice dirty animalic, like Shalimar, the leather and civet are about the same. The drydown though, is different. With Shalimar you get vanilla and the delightful powdery French base for which Guerlain is so rightly celebrated. With Reve Indien you get more amber. More truly Indian in character, then. Definitely for leather oriental fans, outstanding longevity for an EDT.x

Summer is here again. And Reve Indien is my favourite summer perfume. It’s my summer Shalimar. I really struggle with perfumes in summer, as I’m much more fond of winter perfumes. I know Reve Indien isn’t explicitly a summer perfume. But summer is when it works best for me. As Obsession is my signature scent all autumn, winter, and even spring. You may as well say Reve Indien is my Signature Scent for summer. I just pray to god, Reve Indien never gets discontinued. Love It!

Truly lovely. This is a lot like shalimar but a little dirtier - think of a woman dressed head to toe in chanel at Glastonbury after a colossal rainstorm and you have reve indien. It's composition is spicy, floral, peppery and musky. This for me is better than shalimar because its edgier which for an oriental takes some doing. Way ahead of its time in some respects. Shame that Fragonard don't do the pure perfume as I think that would be rock and roll.

Absolutely beautiful.my bottle has arrived from a lovely site in Germany.never thought I'd find it as many won't ship to Israel.if you are having difficulty looking to buy just ask me and I will give you their eBay address.all I can say is SHALIMAR but it's not shalimar and am going to compare them hand to hand.gorgeous.lifts the mood and definitely unisex.I am waiting for the drydown.very comforting .I'm so glad I found it.

A powdery amber and patchouli scent. I agree with others that mention this is easy to wear in warmer weather, and in the temperate Pacific Northwest, that means I can wear this luscious beauty in the summer too. Above average performance for this stellar Fragonard fragrance.

Maybe it's a bit similar to Shalimar. But i don't notice the esperidates notes at the top. I smell smokey notes ( maybe patchouli). The fragrance is very elegant , sensual and it lasts a long for an edt. The base notes are lovely: amber + vanilla. Very Well done

Ok, I've come to notice that this fragrance smells strikingly like Shalimar Edt. Yep, they both have that citrusy woody opening and a sublime vanillic drydown. But the top notes are head on - compare it and see for yourself.

Such a beautiful scent this is. I never leave without it when I'm on summer holidays, it complements feelings of warmth, happiness and sensuality. Besides, for an eau de toilette, sillage and longevity are impressive.

Delightfull for this period. Comfortable, it s an original patchouli incense vanilla. EDP quality for an EDT, Fragonard is a great House! Classy en enticing, vanilla is not a sugary vanilla but an enhancer for iris.

Lovely scent! It indeed reminds me of Shalimar (not that good as Shalimar, of course!!) but kind of heavier in the leather notes.

Just bought it a few days ago in their rue du Faubourg St Honoré store in Paris. If you consider that this fragrance is really close to Shalimar as it was a few years ago, for such an affordable price (39€/200ml and aluminium 600 ml for 59€), I prefer it to the "original" so watered down and over reformulated to please as much noses as possible. With Rêve Indien I get an easy to wear oriental frag and I can spray and spray again every time I want, feeling comfortable and confident with it. And I never get headache. Why little houses are still able to produce and launch frags with projection and longevity when major houses charge so much for so little??? The greedy niche/major brands are offering weaker scents for insanely increasing prices so I decided to explore other paths. And I'm very pleased with Molinard (Habanita, Cuir and Patchouli Intense), L'Erbolario (great Ambraliquida) and Fragonard. Sorry LVMH & Chanel, time out for you after almost 30 years or fidelity.

Reminds me more of Emeraude than Shalimar, but the 3 could be sisters. All three are beautiful. Your preference might lie in how intense you prefer your patchouli and aromatics to be. They all share a warm amber-vanilla-tonka in the base. Reve Indien is a little one-dimensional and linear comparatively, but if you love these types of scents, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Spray carefully because this juice is STRONG! A total sillage monster. It's remarkably similar to Shalimar, but I can actually wear this because unlike Shalimar, Reve Indien is not so animalic and leathery, while still quite smoky. Words that come to mind: -exotic -mysterious -intense -earthy -unpretentious It's definitely my Indian Dream.

I love patchouli in this one. It smells very dark and balsamic here, creating a very mysterious vibe. Shalimar? No. Reve Indien has not that vintage vibe, but it is so sexy. This is a very heavy fragrance, which you should wear only in winter and only in your bedroom.

I can’t smell any citrus / rose or jasmine as per listed notes. Reve Indien is very strong and right from the first whiff all I can smell if spices. Strong raw Indian spices. The dry down is powdery. Definitely not my fragrance! If you are not into oriental / spicy fragrances, give this a skip

Maybe a little like Shalimar, in a second cousin respect and in my opinion one dimensional and forgettable. Will be sticking to Shalimar.

I didn't like this at all! This smelt exactly like 'Sulfur8 Medicated Regular Formula Anti-Dandruff Hair and Scalp Conditioner'. Now, if you are black, you probably know this product. It's really good for your scalp, but I don't want to be walking around smelling like that. Pure medicine!!

This is very nice and in the opening it smells just like Shalimar, maybe spicer than current version. I wouldn't say it smells citrus as per listed notes. Shalimar is much more bergamot than this. Reve Indien is powerful in EdT (the only available, no EdP for this) and it smells as if all spices from India came into a bottle. Yet no spice is listed. Then it dries down on my skin to a more monodimensional patchouli and I'm not too fond of that part. Too strong, too much patchouli not leaving space for anything else. The last part of the scent left on my skin after several hours is sweet powdery amber with a hint of patchouli. Very longlasting. If you like Shalimar you could give a try to this one and see how it works on your skin.

I recommend to try this one for the oriental lovers! the opening is rather sharp (probably citruses and bergamot) but it gets sweeter, more floral with the dry-down. I can detect some spiciness in this one, strong patchouli and vanilla. It sort of reminds me of Shalimar) I think this fragrance should be used sparingly: as an EDT it appears to be quite strong. very well done overall))

In effetti ricorda molto Shalimar ma meno vaniglioso; è un'ambra più potente, moderna e avvolgente. Bel profumo, lo definirei uno Shalimar contemporaneo, con note più decise, meno favola, più seduzione certa.

Totally India. If you like incense and patchouly you will love this one. A perfume with a very defined character. For oriental lovers

Can anyone tell me if we notice patchouli notes, please? Or it's a more powdery perfume? Thank you!

I agree with alchimia72!It's an elegant and sensual perfume...LOVELY!