Collection Heritage Vacances

I’ve never smelled the original Vacances, but I have read a fair bit about it and it seems that Thomas Fontaine’s recreation for Collection Heritage has some differences. How faithful this is to the original is a question that I won’t and shouldn’t try to answer. One difference, though, that stands out from what I’ve read others say about the original are the opening notes. In Vacances CH there is a shockingly dry and bitter green galbanum, like very underripe green bell peppers. The original green note is described to be a bit sweet; this is not. To make sure the bitter greenness doesn’t become too much, there is a note of floral and sweet mimosa filling in the gaps. I’m not sure what to say about the opening, except to say that it is startling. And not startling in a pleasantly surprising grin-across-my-face way, it’s more of an uncomfortable startle. It’s really attractive but it makes my guard go up. Vacances moves quite quickly to the heart though, where my guard instantly goes down as I’m swaddled in the prettiest and gentlest of lilac and hyacinth. Powdery purple and white, it’s an aroma on the breeze of a warm spring morning thanks to a bed of gentle soapy musks at the base. It’s incredibly simple. There are no clever tricks or interesting things to pick apart with Vacances, it’s just very simply beautiful. It tenses you up a bit at the start, and quickly but very gently relaxes you down. Every note is pitch perfect, and easy to understand. An underrated gem from a brand most unfortunately and most undeservedly dying a slow and painful death.

Vacances swiftly replaced Sublime to become my all-time favourite Jean Patou fragrance. Perhaps it is because at heart, I will always be a lover of 'green' perfumes. I adore galbanum and the art with which the galbanum note has been made to tease mimosa in the opening, embrace lilac in the heart and dance with hyacinth in the dry down is one that only a magician may be privy to. Perhaps M.Fontaine? Unapologetically green, yet floral and fresh, this is French finery and elegance, and I shall treasure my 100ml tester bottle with prudence and delectation. There is something je ne sais quoi about this perfume, something fleeting that scratches the surface of one's heart but cannot be grasped. If I had to choose one fragrance, just one fragrance to use during the spring, I would struggle, but it would eventually be Jean Patou's Vacances. If you are considering making a purchase but you falter due to a dearth of reviews, cast all your uncertainties aside. If you adore green florals or light chypres, I guarantee that Vacances will be dear to your heart. Story: Something about this fragrance makes me think of France, in particular, of the late July summer day I spent traipsing around a charming ancient Roman town called Vienne, south of Lyon where I was studying. I might have lost all my pictures from that day, but this fragrance brings back poignant memories of the cool, crisp air.

Another beauty from the Heritage Collection. I can only imagine how wonderful it will smell come spring. It's odd, but after the intense galbanum dies down, I get a non-piercing lily-of-the-valley! Of course it's not in there, but that is definitely what I smell. If I smell it up close, I do get the lilac, and it's a beautiful lilac - it doesn't call to mind a bathroom spray in the least, which is an issue I have with many lilac scents. As for the longevity/silage, I can't really tell yet. I am testing this from a decant sent to me by a wonderful perfumista who has graciously offered to gift her bottle to me - thanks, Linda! - so I need to give it a true test with a fresh nose. I can say that it is a shining example of a well blended fragrance. This is a definite love.

Top notes : galbanum , mimosa Middle notes :jasmine, rose , lilac Base: Styraxharz , hyacinth , musk When I want clean lilac , certainly I will knock on the door Vacances , because this is the "tree " of lilac , purple and white , which are so richly fragrant and strut her ravishing beauty ... There's a not lot to explore here ... Beautiful , young, flowering lilac , still wet from the morning dew with a musky leaves ... And the good they link with the inspiration for this fragrance ... vacation ... Vacation, chaise , daydreaming and a cloud of lilac

This a complex blend. At the end of winter I received this and enjoyed the green colors and hyacinth's tender sweetness. Vacances has a slight powdery vintage sense. That's one reason I hesitate to wear it, because I like feeling edgy at work. But I have found the most enjoyable time to wear this right before I get into bed. It's complexity is exactly the thing I need to release the day and delight my senses. It makes me feel like a cherished princess, because it's delicate rose, jasmine, and musk. And bottle and presentation is decadent.