La Violette

Ahhhhhh! So lovely and reminiscent if my childhood and adolescence. I remember a violet water perfume made by Cubans in Miami and sold to many Latin households which were usually worn by the little girls of a family. These were a deep grape soda purple perfume in plastic bottles with white caps and I always loved the smell! This Annick Goutal Violet is more like CHOWARDS VIOLET MINTS, the candy my Daddy always bought for me and which is still my favorite! There's a drugstore quality to this perfume I actually like ( I know- strange) its an unpretentious Violet. The initial hit is a Bombastic Violet purple haze, the dry down has a cotton candy heart, just a tiny hit of vanilla extract with hints of grain alcohol, I get a ghostly mingling of ylang ylang- not so much as even a hint of rose. This is such a nostalgic fragrance- very little girl- not a seductive fragrance as much as one which conjures images of little girls and grandmas- The last note is powdery and that violet is ever present well into the end. Silage is moderate. 2 sprays are all you need- it's very long lasting- shocker for a A.G. Fragrance. Unpretentious and sweet. A little pricey- but then I am Goutal Girl- wish she was still with us...

La Violette is one of my favorite scents of all time - One I can't see myself living without! The concept is a whimsical fairytale in a bottle. It's mildly melancholic & damp in the very best way, but also very romantic, antiqued, crisp & wonderful. This one gives you the entire violet experience. You get all delicious, candy-like, juicy violets, with a touch of a more bitter, earthy/airy vegetation note to contrast with the sweetness (Violet leaf!). Out of many violet scents in my collection, this one is the least soapy, and most realistic! I also love that the violet isn't paired with a woody note, as many others are done. The subtle rose compliments the focus very well, and it's delightful for casual wear during gloomy, cold days... and also somewhat refreshing in very hot weather! I find the longevity on this scent pretty grand, which I believe is atypical in Annick Goutal standards! It will last 6+ hours, and more like 10-12+ hours on your clothes. Impressed!

Forest sprites wear this! I think this is delightful beyond words. Fresh and nostalgic at the same time. The opening is lushly green with a zesty feel but quickly settles into the most enchanting violet scent. The greenness remains throughout the life of the fragrance, tempering the natural sweetness of the violet without overwhelming it. The rose note is too subtle for my nose to pick out but this isn't exactly what I'd call a purely linear violet so clearly some other note is peeking out somewhere. Maybe a few more wearings and I'll detect it. Very long lasting (over 12 hours later I could still detect gently wafting notes) which really surprised me, given the light, fresh feel of this scent. I think it'd be perfect in spring and summer, but here we are in the middle of a cold snap and I've worn it with great pleasure for several days. A wonderful mood-enhancer at any time of the year.

I now disagree with my earlier review. La Violette and Misia are not the same at all. The beginnings are the only things similar, because both begin with a blast of violet. Both continue with the violet taking centre-stage, but they handle it completely differently. Let's compare: LA VIOLETTE / MISIA Vibrant violet (smell-colour) / Pastel violet (smell-colour) Intense / Demure Slightly sweet (like those candied violets in pattisseries) / Not edible (unless you like the idea of eating makeup) Fresh / Powdery Evokes living flowers / Evokes a preserved time period Slightly green / Slightly musky Pretty / Elegant Just like there are many types of roses, there are many types on violet. Now I want both of them for my collection! (Chanel, you are extorting me...)

This violet is green, fresh, damp violets with just a touch of powdery. while it does has a hint of violet sweet, it is leaning make up-y violets than sweet candied violets. I agree with this being more like violet soap, but a nice one. Really need to try it a few times to appreciate it. each time i sprayed it at different time, seems like the smell changes ever so slightly. being green and being damp violets are the common denominator here. sometimes it feels so soft aquatic, so soft i can barely sniff it even when i bury my nose to my sprayed skin. sometimes it just blooms on its own and i can whiff a beautiful bouquet of fresh violets. as with most violet soliflore fragrances i owned, the scent is close to skin.

This bursts out of the bottle, it comes out strong and hot. Almost medicinal and burning, as if it has some potent herbs inside. Floral Green....could almost be a Woody Spicy..Unisex...The turkish rose is nice, but not to strong. This seems to be purley violets, and as the notes denote, leaves included. This scent never becomes dainty, powdery, or "youthful and balmy" as the description says. Balmy? It's biting. I would say mature, fresh, and brave. As it fades, at the very end of wear, it does become sweetened. It lasted much longer on me than any other Annick Goutal, it lasted two and a half hours. Ah, a divine breeze! Seems to be an antique scent!

This is a review of the bottle with the pink packaging and pink ribbon. When I first smelled this fragrance, I was expecting a sweet, candy-like violet scent, as is so often the case for violet fragrances. I was surprised that this is not what this fragrance is about, What I got was a beautiful, natural, powdery violet note and a tart, woody violet leaf note. I couldn’t make out the rose note. At first, the violet leaf came across quite strong and almost too much. But then it settled and allowed the natural violet note to take the stage. I feel like I’m smelling a bouquet of violets. This is a very classy and wearable fragrance.

My absolute favorite from Annick Goutal. This is a true soliflore and a photorealistic violet. There's no real powderiness here. No leaf of the violet, only flower. I do agree with the comments comparing it to Chowards mints and Abbaye pastilles. It is slightly candied, but not in an artificial or overpowering way. Just perfect. It's my favorite springtime scent. ETA - I've read the newer bottles seem reformulated. My reviews are based on the older version - I have/had bottles with a slender gold string to the neck and the one with the purple organza ribbon. I have not repurchased/sampled the newer bottle yet. Just FYI.

Generally I'm not a great fan of Annick Goutal's perfumes. Not because they don't smell good, but because they just don't smell good on me... This perfume is THE exception. I adore this smell. To me, it's the perfect "welcome, Spring" scent, pampering and lively. It doesn't smell too complicated, just fresh, sweet, powdery violet, the hint of rose not too prominent on my skin. My mom used to grow violets in our front yard, and this scent is an extremly close olfactory reminder. Longevity is quite good, lasting an entire workday, and sillage is moderate. This scent just makes me happy :) Hello, lovely April and May :)

Beautiful, realistic, violet rose floral that melts me. The opening is infused with the Annick Goutal signature floral "twang" that she magically fits in to most of her florals. I think even if someone was blindfolded and had never smelled this before they would immediately think AG. I usually am not a big fan of violet type fragrances but I absolutely love this. It makes me feel more girly. Just smelling it makes me feel like I need to get a manicure or sit up straight or something. It just smells feminine and polished. Something I usually am not. Maybe if I wear it more often my back won't hurt quite so bad.

Very lovely and unexpectedly longer lasting than I thought. I have experienced short lasting from Annick and have been quite disappointed with that, but La Violette is a nice surprise. Of course do not expect it to be heavy or last a day, it would not be in line with the philosophy of this scent (and the other soliflores in this line), but the lasting power and the scent development is very very nice. At the beginning straight violet, very similar to Violetta di Parma but softer and with less woods. Then it develops with leaves and a very delicate earthy tone that gives strength to the composition. Excellent!!

Any lady could wear this charming soliflore. On my skin, the violets smell sweet and realistic, balanced by the greeny earthiness of the violet leaf and the freshness from the roses. It's quite loud before the dry-down of a soft, powdery violet. I would wear this to cheer me up on a rainy summer's day, on a picnic or to welcome the beginning of spring. It also reminded me of a scent that Mary Lennox might smell in The Secret Garden. UPDATE: The downside with this scent was that it was too fleeting! Only lasted for about 2-3 hours and the sillage was moderate, how upsetting.

Tres, tres French! I worried this would be a copy of the thick violet syrup I bought in Paris a few years ago (meant for pancakes and baking) but it doesn't. Not sweet at all, even though there is the "memory" of the syrup somewhere in the background. It is just as described - Spring bouquets, candied violets in patisserie shop windows, it is green and powdery and complex, yet still a soliflore. I love it. But unfortunately I probably won't get it because I'm going to buy Misia, by Chanel. They're very similar.

To me this is an incredible, yet simpel fragrance. Two of my favourite florals together in a bottle: rose and violet. It is very much a romantic fragrance. Romantic and slightly melancholic, to me. Imagine a quiet walk alone in a garden late at night in late may / early june. Probably not a fragrance for everyone, but if you are a floral lover like me it is worth checking out. The lastingpower is decent, and my only complaint is that they only sell it as EDT, would Love having this as an EDP.

This is so sweet and comforting. Generally, I stay away from any fruity notes as my skin amplifies them, and I am not fond of them, but oh my, the mix of raspberry and violet is heaven. it's sweet but not sugary and very intimate. I can't imagine wearing this to work or even for an outing. But as I put it on and relax after a shower, it's heaven.

Its a quite a rosy violet and its a little bit fresh green. It is NOT too juicy or sweet or powdery or soapy, and like all Annick Goutal, it is not heavy at all. Rather it stays close and feels natural. I like this very much; my husband also likes it also, but not as much as me.

Love love love this but wish it lasted longer. Fades so fast. It goes on STRONG. A serious green dry violet that has powdery and sharp notes. So perfect. I adore this and am glad that I blind bought a full bottle. A lovely violet that is more complex than most.

This is my signature fragrance because it works so well in both warm and cold weather. It is a fresh violet with red fruits. It also has a mentholated feel to it. I love the opening which smells exactly like violet candy.

I feel a lot violets and leaves. Additionally I feel some fruit and the tea ealy grey. The pleasant scent but in start intensive. Now I like it .Try in Your skin :)

Ultra feminine, delicate, light and fresh. It's gorgeous. A beautiful powdery floral perfume. The violet is an absolutely heavenly dream. Perfection.

Absolutely sweet and feminine, very delicate and extremely long-lasting. Best violet fragrance I've tried, fresh and lovely.

Oh my...what a dreamy, beautiful violet. I shall have it!

As a long-confirmed violet lover, I feel that it is my sacred duty to sniff every violet soliflore in existence, and I'm always happy to discover yet another. Although many of them may initially seem to be quite similar to one another, in my experience, they always do exhibit subtle differences. I've been curious about Annick Goutal LA VIOLETTE for quite some time, so I was delighted when a generous fellow fragrant traveler (banned from this site, lol) sent a sample my way. This particular violet soliflore features equal parts violet petals and violet leaves, it seems to me, with the effect that the natural sweetness of the flower is cut quite a bit by the greenishness of the leaves. What a delightful combination! The classic, nineteenth-century style soliflores I've sniffed, Berdoues VIOLETTES DE TOULOUSE and Borsari VIOLETTA DI PARMA, and their close relatives, including Christiane Celle CALYPSO VIOLETTE and Molinard VIOLETTE are all rather sweet to my nose. Of the bunch, Molinard seems to me to be the sweetest, and I believe that "extra sugar", so to speak, has been added to that composition. Christian Celle has something of a playdoh edge to it, in addition to being somewhat sweet. Histoires de Parfums BLANC VIOLETTE also falls into the same general category, although it is less sweet and slightly more complex. Annick Goutal's version is really quite distinct in its greenishness, and it seems to me similar to the analogue in the rose solifore perfume group, what I refer to as the "rosebush in a blender" perfume, which includes all of the thorns and stems and roots of the plant in addition to rose petals. Here we have literally the whole violet plant as well, and the effect is very harmonious and balanced. As the scent dries down, the green leaves become slightly more dominant than the purple petals, but there is always a lingering aura of fresh violet in the air. I like it a lot! This is a fine violet perfume, indeed!

La Violette is, as expected, a violet soliflore. It is a pretty, green violet, airy and lightweight, more aquatic than powdery. It is old-fashioned, in the manner of turn-of-the-century floral toilet water. I don't believe in the disparaging description "old lady perfumes", but LV is the kind of thing that brings this to mind for me. My grandmothers both preferred clean, light florals like this, even if I don't associate either of them with violets in particular. LV is a violet soliflore throughout, opening with green violet leaf and growing more floral as it develops. It is sheer and slightly ozonic, never becoming powdery. It is very pretty and delicate, classic in style, evocative of times past. Violet was a favourite of pre-war dandies, but this reads as very feminine to me. It brings to mind toilet water housed in a big splash bottle with a bow around its neck, to be applied liberally after bathing. It becomes slightly musky as it fades, violet-dominant until final fade. Sillage is intimate and longevity is moderate. It is made for spring days. Shrinking violet in the best way, LV is pretty and feminine in a ladylike yet youthful, carefree manner. I prefer bold, powdery violet (see: Insolence), but LV is truly lovely. Muted vintage charm in a bottle. 3.5/5.

Been there, done that. Don't get me wrong - it's a gorgeous violet soliflore, and I am happy to have it as part of my growing collection of Goutals, but when you've tried and own as many violet based fragrances as I have, it certainly doesn't add much. It reminds me of Misia quite a bit, withe Violette Precieuse in second place. The quality is outstanding, and if your looking for a violet that breaks away from the candy violet type, then I highly recommend La Violet. The longevity and silage are moderate at best, which is to be expected with most Goutals, especially the EDTs. Mine is in the new bottle under the Goutal label. I wish it was in the former bottle, especially with the ribbon. To me, those bottles capture the spirit of Annick Goutal perfectly, but so goes the march of time. Edit - I am really surprised at the number of people who find this similar to Insolence! The EDP is such a powerhouse of sweet violet that it lies on the opposite end of the spectrum for me! I LOVE Insolence, but one could easily have both in their collection without any concern about owning overly similar fragrances. I would love to smell it on someone who gets Insolence from this. It would be the ultimate validation of the body chemistry factor, IMHO.

I've at least liked every Annick Goutal fragrance I've ever tested, violet is one of my favourite floral notes, and I have a weakness for (almost-)soliflores, so it comes as no surprise that I think La Violette is wonderful as well. It's a light, transparent, lifelike violet; there's really not much sweetness to this one, let alone a candied aspect, and it's not powdery or waxy either. It does have a strong green component that I experience as borderline woody, which is particularly dominant in the opening: that must be the violet leaf. This phase doesn't last very long and the drydown is just pure violet, mellow and close to the skin, gently fading for most of the day. I don't smell rose but I can believe it's there as part of the composition, making the violet smell more violet-like instead of asserting itself in its own right. So I'm impressed, although I don't think I'll ever need a full bottle - I have so many violet scents in my (decant) wardrobe already, and however much I adore this natural iterpretation, I know I tend to reach for the more exuberant, candied violets more frequently. My little decant will last me for quite a while for days when I want a more toned down but still gorgeous violet scent around me.

I was expecting a wispy, green violet from Annick Goutal La Violette after seeing the note pyramid. However, the opening caught me off-guard. It's indeed green with the presence of violet leaf. But it shows quite some spicy and earthy aspect of the violet leaf as well. There's also an anise undertone. Combined with the sweetness of violet, it actually reminds me of dried plum with spices. It's delicious, and different from a few green and watery interpretations of violet. After about 1 hour, the spiciness almost dies down. What's left is a slightly green violet with a gentle powdery texture, very pretty and innocent. The sillage of La Violette is soft and the longevity is merely 4 hours on me. I find La Violette a quite interesting violet soliflore, where spicy, sweet and green aspects of violet are beautifully showcased in the opening. It feels more vivacious than some more wispy, watery interpretations, before settling down into a dainty and comfortable powdery violet. Despite its not so great performance, I still think La Violette worths a try.

La Violette is surprisingly comforting on cold days. Typically I would not wear something like La Violette during the fall and winter seasons. However, lately I have been reaching more for powdery florals instead of the amber and patchouli type fragrances I set aside for this time of year. La Violette is a powdery violet that soothes and relaxes. I have several violet perfumes in my wardrobe such as Chanel's Misia, Guerlain's L'Heure Bleue, Apres L'Ondee and Insolence, YSL Paris and a few others that are not coming to mind right now. La Violette is the purest of the violets. I have to be in the right mood for La Violette because it is the closest to a soliflore and violets can be moody also.

La Violette Goutal (EDT) () I start to wonder rather this house can do anything wrong. La Violette is soliflores fragrance; aspect people mention that it like fume of gasoline. and the aspect of Candy sweet like. both presented beautifully. I don't notice powdery aspect at all; if you like concept of very Powdery with sweet candy-like aspect strongly / mildly fume. You may try Misia. I do notice the rose, separately but I think it is essential that Rose must come with Violette to replica the true essence of Violet flower. Can't go wrong, even it is not truly my choice of everyday. But the rendition is very beautiful, I will sure grab this more than Chanel Misia. It's easier to wear. 9/10

The best violet perfume I know. The begining is green and fizzy due to the use of the leaves. It's like we tore a leaf by stem, crushed and smelled it. I remembered when I played doll’s cooking with flowers and leaves when I was a child. Hahaha. I got a ozonic, watering feeling, as soon I apply. Then it gets more powdery. Although not listed in the notes, I realize – lightly - a bit of anise star, which is like a piece of sweet wood. The rose (very, very discreet) adds depth to the fragrance. After the initial blast remains a very soft smell of violet, with very little projection. I just feel when smell my wrist. On my skin it lasts about two/three hours.

277 Like chowards violet mints...(not minty) I always thought those candies were more for perfuming your purse than eating them. Lovely! Who wants a mouth full of violet perfume...not me. This though, although not in its original glory, is still beautiful. It's not powerful an hour after generous spraying but you get puffs of delicately sweet peppery raspberry violet. I have Insolence edp and they are not alike at all. Insolence smells like a soapy fragrance and this smells like fresh violets, or as close as can be. 9/10-beautiful soliflore composition, just wish it was stronger (oh why did you water it down?)

To me, this smells pretty much exactly like how v Canel’s violet flavored chewing gum tastes. Tart, sweet, girly, a bit mouthwatering, not powdery. The scent is very straightforward. Fleeting on skin (at least when dabbed from my sample vial; admittedly I’m not using much), but could smell the next day on a blanket. I would be delighted to own a bottle, but if I can only own one violet fragrance, I’m looking for something a little more sophisticated and less candied. It was between this and Chloe’s Atelier des Fleurs Violette, and I went with the latter, which is a little less candy-like and a tad powdery.

To begin with, I am not a fan of violets in fragrances. La Violette is a substle, pastel violette flower and leaf. The scents is just so YOU need "calm-down-mindfullness" time right now. I might hear rose somewhere, but it is almost unnoticeable. I disagree that it has powder, it is very fresh ro be violette. Reminds me of The Different Company I miss Violette and Guerlain Meteorites. This is a perfect MOM's scent, so cosy...I think a baby would appreciate it. I get a solid 4 hours of wear, while soft projection.

A tart, green, violet soliflore. Fresh and green, with a just the smallest brush of powdery softness from the rose. This is a cool violet, stem as well as flower. I really didn't like the opening - it was a bit screechy and something smelled unpleasantly artificial and shampoo like - but after the opening it becomes a lovely, simple, and very pretty violet. Reminds me of Chowards violet mints (which I adore!) Not very long lasting but that's no surprise. Old-fashioned charming; lace parasols and ladies at tea.

SOTD La Violette by Goutal 4/5 Large puff of violet candy goodness, like the Abbaye de Flavigny pastilles. Smells like the Guerlain Meteorite Makeup Powder, I never smelled the perfume but I would imagine it would be similar. Lots of memory triggered for me. A quiet scent bubble. Ethereal goodness. It smells similar to Insolence by Guerlain, like both but prefer this due to it's effortless elegance. Reviewed is based on a free sample from scent bar. Purchased full size bottle. Wore at home.

Smells to me like what Choward's Violet Mints taste like. Every time I see those at a pharmacy cash wrap you bet I will purchase them. This is a realistic violet, that is sweet and bright. I was seeking a Violet soliflore, and think this’ll complement some of my other fragrances well to layer with. Nice after a shower to wear on its own. Day wear. Moderate Longevity. Close Projection. Write if you’d like decant! Or go to: https://quericotuhueles.com/

A really lovely round violet scent. Not sticky sweet but very floral. I don’t see this mentioned often but there is something almost clove-esque about it too. A faint spiciness that feels really harmonious and keeps it from being too mature and powdery, or too juvenile and sweet. I do love this one for after-bath or a tea party kind of energy. After a couple hours it sets into this beautiful soapy violent, soft and feminine.

La Violette by Goutal is the quintessential violet soliflore, capturing the violet note with striking perfection. The scent is delicate, dewy, and beautifully balanced, blending icy freshness with a subtle, candied sweetness. It’s reminiscent of Violetta di Parma by Borsani—a beloved, now-discontinued classic that once set the standard for violet fragrances in Italy.

This was one of three AG samples I ordered recently. It is the nicest violet scent I have tried - greener and less powdery than the others. I don't know if I'll be getting a fb of it though, violet doesn't seem to go well with my skin chemistry. It always turns too powdery and sweet on me. It does have much longer longevity than many AG fragrances, a big plus!

A splendid May rose paired with a frigid violet, and a few other bits and pieces here and there, but nothing at all major (a bit of woods and possibly some citrus). It's all top with very VERY little mid and base, and for me it vanished really quickly. I liked it (maybe not enough to buy it), but it was a little bit of a let down... Try before you buy...

This feels like a prototypical sweet powdery violet, that's round and soft in a way that prevents it from being overbearing or cloying. This scent reminds me a lot of the scent of Guerlain Meteorites (the makeup, not the perfume which I haven't tried), although slightly more balanced.

This is the perfect powdery sweet (but not candy-sweet) violet fragrance. There is a nostalgic mystery in this scent yet it smells not dated. The protagonist of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca could have worn this scent. Love it love it love it!

Pure violet sweets! Edit: anyone with European partners take note; my husband’s reaction to this perfume was great! First he said, “WOW! What is that?! You smell like candy!” So when I told him he said “that is NICE perfume.” :)

This is a very simple and feminine single note fragrance. They slightly changed the packaging - the tag is no longer of that as shown in the picture. Personally I like the older design better.

A crispy sparkling lighthearted floaty violet. Sometimes violet smell can feel heavy fixed. But this one is dancing like a fairy. Beautiful!

Wet violet flower and leaves with a hint of rose that is also wet! So pretty, fresh, young and mature all at the same time.

This is superb! The most authentic violet scent I've ever tested. I am getting a full bottle soon.

Pretty, vivid violet with a shy rose. It does remind me some of Meteorites, but not as powdery.

It has been reformulated and the magic is gone. So sad!!

I love watercolor paintings where the colors and shapes are captured in a moment with a quick and imaginative stroke of an artist. Watercolors are often minimalistic, filled with just a few colors splashed on a white sheet of paper. There is no need for heavy ingredients and layering like in oil or acrylic painting to create a masterpiece. Less is more. This is how I feel about La Violette. This is a watercolor painting of woodland violets with bright sunlight peaking through the damp foliage and illuminating gentle and shy violets hiding among green leaves. Simple, but utterly beautiful and full of life. The composition is a wild mixture of violet flowers and green leaves. The violets are pushing through the damp earth to get to the sunlight. They are slightly powdery and sweet, earthy and green and utterly charming. La Violette is so easy to wear. It has a right mix of natural, romantic, and sweet. The sillage is moderate, and longevity is up to 8 hours. La Violette is one of my favorite violet scents. I admire how Camille Goutal and Isabelle Doyen captured the gentle, sunny, but slightly shy soul of violets. Natural, gentle and adorable, this scent is a lovely addition to my collection and I definitely recommend it to all violet lovers. Overall score is 9/10.