Le Temps des Rêves

The first time I experienced this perfume was while wandering the streets nearby the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. Goutal has a storefront there, and the fragrance totally permeated the heavy, damp spring air all the way down pl. Saint-Sulpice. I simply had to have it, and followed my nose to their door. I’ve worn this perfume for several years now as a signature fragrance, and come back to it time and again as one of two all-time favourites. I’ve seen reviews call it basic or forgettable, and this is simply not the case to me. The neroli and orange blossom are stars here, undoubtedly. However, the myrtle balances this out with an aromatic freshness that feels emblematic of European fragrances. It settles down into a hazy green “je ne sais quoi”, but the real magic is that it never loses its beautiful fresh floral character. This one lasts the whole day and longer—never overpowering, but lingering beautifully. No soapiness or cloying “elderly” impressions. I find this perfume extraordinarily feminine, romantic, and classic. Well done, Goutal.

Orange blossom perfumes are my favourite and I tried quite a few of them. This one is THE ONE. It blends bitter neroli with sweet orange blossom and florals absolutely seamlessly. The proportion of neroli in this perfume is 'just right'.It is not too loud or harsh (like in Molinard's orange blossom, for example). There is no extra weird aftersmell (like in Sultane de Saba). There is no extra vanilla or jasmine that can be distracting. The only other perfume that came close to this is L'Artisan Parfumeur; however, their fragrance is not exactly a conventional orange blossom perfume, it's a whole different story. This perfume is the perfect bitter-sweet fragrance; it's like yin and yang. The only problem I have with it is that it is fleeting; however, I am willing to forgive it because it is an absolute masterpiece.

I’ve been thinking about this one for a long time. I liked the sample so much that I bought a full bottle, but there is something so delicate and angelic about it that I almost feel wrong wearing it. I’m not a particularly delicate, angelic woman. All the notes listed are very present, apart from the sandalwood. When I layer this with Tam Dao it makes more sense as a complex experience. On its own, it’s very linear - beautiful flowers. God, it smells so effing gorgeous but it’s just not dirty enough to be my signature. However. If you want a pure, happy floral fragrance that doesn’t smell like any of the others out there - if you want photorealistic white flowers - this is it. It’s the best pure floral fragrance I’ve ever smelled.

STUNNING this is an exceptionally natural and realistic Neroli fragrance. It’s a strongly citrus and herbal green rendering of neroli and orange blossom. Reminds me the most of Annick Goutal’s former Neroli (2003). if you like scents such as L’Artisan Histoires d’Oranger and Hermes Jour d’Hermes Absolu and Chanel Gabrielle and Serge Fleurs d’Citronnier you’ll dig this. Le Temps des Reves is so classic and perfectly crisp and natural. No synthetic perfumey vibes here at all. At the start the bergamot is sharp and bracing but once it dries down it becomes rounder and more softly gentle white floral musks. Lovely. Bucolic meadows

This is a beautiful sheer Neroli that is suitable for people who usually find it too harsh like me. I was surprised by how many other reviewers below share this opinion. At first this seems very white floral almost like maybe Tuberose with orange blossom is there then it becomes more bitter as the neroli starts to come through. It dries down to orange blossom and sandalwood, a combo I never thought I would quite enjoy as much as I do. I would love a bottle of this for summer. I do wish it was a bit more potent as it sits extremely close to the skin to the point where you have to put your nose there to smell it.