Caleche Fleurs de Mediterranee

What an incredible fragrance, revisited now, some twenty years after its release! Calèche has long stood as the matriarch in the Hermès stable and has earned every bit of her respect, having been in continual production for the past 60+ years. In 2003, she travelled from the resolutely French countryside, dotted with beautifully manicured parterre gardens brimming with rose, jasmine and lily-of-the-valley to a more equatorial, Mediterrannean clime. 'Fleurs de Mediterranée' is just what it says on the box; a spectacular infusion in which Calèche's trademark aldehydic soapiness is pulled back, and sun-soaked nectar-like accords are introduced. A thick haze of fragrant mimosa furnishes Calèche with a sense of high summer, and its rich, thick beeswax note lends a delectable golden warmth. One can't help but dream of lazing in a hammock strung between two trees; book resting on one's chest, with the sound of a fat bumblebee - legs heavy with pollen - floating by. 'Fleurs de Mediterranée' feels like old money holidaying on the French / Italian riviera. It has transformed a scent which many might suggest is outdated, into an elixir imbued with pure joyous sunshine.

I was so excited to test this when I saw it, because I love Caleche EDT, but when I sprayed it on, I encountered such an assault to my nose, that I developed a stinging headache! Sharp sharp sharp and ACRID! It was so sharp and bitter than I could not detect any of the notes, period. I only smelled the sharpness of the scent. This must be my chemistry "working its wonders" again! :) Please...if you are near a Neiman Marcus, go test this scent and submit a review so I know how this fragrance is *supposed* to smell!

Missing aldehydes in the ingredients list as this smells very much like an aldehydic floral... only over an hour later the aldehydic rose scent gives way to a more pleasant smelling jasmine scent. Testing a ton of Hermès samples I come to the conclusion they rarely get it right.. either it is weak sauce or it is an aldehydic floral (e.g. Calèche) that I can't stand. Sofar only 24 Faubourg rocked my world.

i don't care how "glamorous" it is or sounds, it smells harsh, aggressive and old. yeah old and rich.

As a long time lover of everything Caleche, I was thrilled to come across a half bottle of this rare flanker. Not only is it a perfect example of Hermes vintage elegance, but it is rich, smooth and sweet. Having read the previous reviews, I can only believe that they couldn't have smelled a well preserved version of this impeccably composed work of olfactory art!

Thank goodness I purchased a large sample of this and didn’t pay a lot. I do not like this fragrance. At all. I can tell the oils are quality and the blend complicated however, it smells like the women I get stuck behind in some big box stores who I know don’t purchase luxury fragrances. It smells cheap.