Jour de Fete

I received a sample of this from someone who absolutely adores it, and I can see why. I would have thought something entitled "birthday" would be sticky and saccharine; dripping with icing and sprinkles and over the top fruit flavored confections...Jour de Fete is none of these things, thankfully! Instead this perfume is done in typical L'Artisan style, tasteful and tasty! The vanilla is apparent from the beginning, as if the softest vanilla icing sugar glaze was drizzled over toasted almonds. The wheat note here is so very real, almost like you can smell sheaves of dried wheat standing in the sun, and as it develops the smell of the toasted whole grains themselves. Warm and wholesome, like some fresh baked "goody" your grandmother just took out of the oven and you cannot wait to devour it. As this continues, a very subtle orris/iris note grounds this; adding a floral and earthy very comfortable air. This is not the cold green of the roots, but the feeling of fresh-cut flowers given with love and adoration. I have no idea why this is labelled as an "oriental spicy" perfume. Unless the vanilla is "oriental" and the tang of the almondine treats is considered "spicy". To me it is more of a subtle gourmand, with light sheer floral accents. Whatever you call it and however you look at it; Jour de Fete is worthy of celebration, and is quite beautiful. Despite the sweetness and predominately feminine notes in this scent, a man could pull this off and still smell sexy. I am still utterly impressed at how L'Artisan Parfumeur did this and though I may not rush out and buy a full bottle (anytime soon); I would consider purchasing at least a 10 ml decant from one of those websites who do so... Sillage: close and subtle Longevity: above average Overall: 3.75/5 A fitting scent for celebrating one's own birthday or just for days when you want something delicious on your skin. As I said above this is NOT your typical heavy gourmand, but it is satisfying. I can say, however; that smelling this on someone else, I might have to fight the overwhelming desire to lick the skin where they had applied it. It really IS truly that scrumptous! *licks lips*

This is very special. I've tried and owned many almond fragrances at one time or another. Nothing smells like Jour de Fete~nothing. It's one of the only fragrances that I have a back up bottle of. I agree that the wheat note takes this in a very unique and quite brilliant direction! Unlike some of the other wonderful reviewers here I don't get the warmth or vanille frosting on my skin. I get a fantastically dry almond tree. The lack of sweetness makes this completely wearable from spring through fall w/out ever being too much.For me the vanille softens the very realistic and air biting sharpness of the almond. The wheat note for me really adds to the feel of walking through an almond grove.I don't get the greenness of the leaves but I do get the smell of the bark which just hits this out of the park for me. I LOVE it! I also get a bit of powder which always improves almost anything for my sniffer! It adds just a light touch of comfort to the whole thing. I do agree w/the longevity being unfortunate. However w/a fragrance this exceptional it is my pleasure to keep a bit in my purse at all times to freshen up when I feel the need. I must say~to my nose~this is an extraordinary piece of extremely wearable almond art. As of today it's also getting very very hard to find as it's been newly discontinued. Sniff while you can folks!

I used to hope that it was another overhyped perfume that was popular because it was discontinued; it's not. It's the best almond I've ever smelt; it's delicate, not sugary, and well-balanced. It has everything the almond/pistachio/hazelnut/nuts perfumes today are not with their greasy, sugary notes. The last Guerlain that was trying to emulate dragée (sugar-coated almond) should have been something like that. I love that it's not some photorealistic reproduction of a dragée. Dragées do not smell of iris, but it merges so well wth the almond and give that perfume a lot of depth. The wheat also gives a gritty texture, really subtle but nice. And the name "Jour de fête", is pretty evocative, I guess, that's why I'm partial on my dragée interpretation. It's really nostalgic, it reminds me of the weddings used to go to when I was a child, where I would feast on those sugar-coated almond. The projection is intimate, but the performance is good for such a light fragrance. I would love to find a full size as there is nothing similar on the market, sadly.

I've considered this to be my signature for years even though I almost never let myself wear my remaining stash these days. When I noticed my last bottle getting low I tucked it away and started the process of breaking up with my beloved Jour de Fete. I knew it wouldn't be easy...I had nothing similar to replace it with. Every other fragrance was just too loud and screeching by comparison to Jour de Fete's powdery vanilla-kissed almond whisper. People complain about the longevity and projection being non-existent in this (and I hear that's what accounted for it's discontinuation), but dammit I would gladly pay $150 for this lightly scented magic any day, and I think L'Artisan should bring it back! I know I'm not the only one who feels this way. ALSO...if anyone would like to sell their used bottle, please PM me with your asking price. (My Fragrantica wardrobe isn't entirely up to date but of course I would also be willing to set up a swap, perhaps even multiple bottles in exchange.)

Jour de Fete is one delicate gem, a watery almond and vanilla with a slight gourmand texture given by the wheat note (what a brilliant idea to add it to the composition!). It's a bit powdery and nutty and although it's soft and light and a definite skin scent, it has lasting power to be proud of for an EDT. This perfume makes me smile and takes me back to my childhood, to someplace that feels comfortable and old and tender. And as I smell it I do remember the exact place this is. When I was around 6 or 7, I had this lovely neighbor, a very sweet old lady that used to pinch my cheek and invite me to her place to taste some of her delicious cookies. And her house smelled like Jour de Fete as she was baking the dessert. It's a lovely, precious memory. Jour de Fete is a gorgeous perfume, what a pity and a shame that they discontinued such a beauty.