Joyeux Été

Discontinued and what a tragedy. This was a classic vintage Lancôme which I experienced through an older friend's collection in London. This is strictly a chypre but it's also a floral. The bottle was rather strange so I loved it right away. The galbanum opens the fragrance: green, cold, bitter. There should be aldehydes listed. There is a camphorous quality to the scent and oiliness. Very green as it begins. The rest of the time it's flowery with lily of the valley, iris, rose, jasmine, orchid and narcissus. Beautiful. A garden of flowers but more autumnal than spring like. The fragrance dries down softly into woods and oak moss. It smells like autumn (despite the name Joyful Summer) so I will wear this when autumn arrives again but it also has a magical aura that works its charm and magic on rainy days in winter time. A forerunner of Estee Lauder's Aliage. A beautiful beautiful floral chypre.

I bought five bottles of this, about 47 years ago when I heard it was going to be discontinued. I have kept one, still sealed and unopened and kept in a dark drawer. I wore it on my wedding day and am keeping this one for my daughter's big day. its still a good colour, and the faint smell that comes through the wax seal tells me that it hasn't gone off at all! I love it so much. Lancome brought out some vintage perfumes a few years ago - I was so excited, but sadly this was not one of them. I love it so much.