Arlesienne

L'Occitane just love their roses, violettes and peonies, don't they? :) and Arlesienne is no ecxeption to this line. This fragrance takes its place in the Occitane flowery pantheon, with emphasis on the violet with woody undertones. The opening is rather fruity, delectable and somewhat childish, but not too sweet. As all Occitane openings, it does not last very long before transitioning to the flowery heart. There is something very yummy about Arlesienne, an almost edible musky facette of the violet note. The sandal wood is also very prominent to my nose, next to the safron. There is something peppery and warm about this. Reminded me of the discontinued Delice des Fleurs. Thankfully, the fragrance is not too sweet and ends up smelling soapy, faintly woodsy and warm, in a nice and quietly consistent way. The lasting power is quite good, it holds through the entire day and stays even overnight on hair. Given that I am using a mini perfume without a spray, longevity is great. Arlesienne is not an outstanding, big floral, but simply comfortable and wearable for everyday, and I think it is alright in colder weather for its uplifting effect. It makes me think of a walk by the sea in winter where the only warm thing would be you, wearing this scent. I love it, even though I am not a violet person myself. As other Fragranticans point, it is quite similar to Chloe Love Eau Florale, but is warmer. Sidenote: Arlesienne is definitely gift-worthy. I've had quite a few "Ooh what are you wearing? It is gorgeous!" "It's that perfume again!". Frankly, I couldn't see it coming, but people like it a lot, obviously. The handcream is well worth it as well. The fact that they rarely stock Arlesienne in their Bulgarian stores makes it even more appealing.

A fresh and mildly tart rose through a soft focus filter due to the violet. The saffron lends a hint of earthiness to the base but is otherwise largely absent. Arlesienne is not nearly as powdery as I expected it to be, but it does smell like an expensive velvety rose with a heart of soap as Mellyhelly observed, cushioned by the other supporting notes. Longevity seems like it could be seriously lacking, but I need to test further to confirm. What I love about this one is the total absence of sweetness and/or corrosively sour citrus. It's simply a very calming, clean and slightly modern rose. It reminds me of deep red and purple stained glass windows, and hushed tones. It's also a welcome departure from the standard L'Occitane Rose-Peony combo. The nicest release from this house in quite some time. Thank goodness. I was beginning to lose hope. Update: I do detect a bit of sandalwood on the far drydown.

My gosh, where do I start with this one. This is my FAVORITE scent that I have ever smelled. When L’Occitane created a new formula (which is still In stores) I was devastated. This is my signature scent and I’m still holding on to my last bottle. This is my most commented scent and it is the kind where people want to just hug you and not let you go because you smell so comfortable and kind. This mastered a perfect blend of violet and rose. It’s is not overpowering in floral notes in my opinion. To me, it smells soapy and slightly creamy. It cheers me up whenever I wear it. Like the fresh “ah” feeling you have after a warm shower and you just smell so clean. It’s cozy, sophisticated and has the perfect amount of sweet. I could rave about it forever. This will always be my first love when it comes to perfumes.

Some years back,afternoon in Gent.On a trip,hand in hand with my love,surrounded by best friends who show us the old beautiful city.Two sprays of Arlesienne in my wrists and the wonderful walk just started.....Cold violet,warm rose,vivid saffron,every new image and memory filled up with that smell who lasts and lasts like the whole this afternoon in my mind. Romantic,gentle,present,out of modern times, but there. The things have changed,the memories not. Every time I wear it hurts a bit,but is pleasant and lovable as back then. Every time I wear it,I m walking in old city,hand in hand,feeling care free,a bit nostalgic,summer afternoon,and a bittersweet veil around me. Try it,maybe it hepls you create a unique memorie for you.This is all about with perfumes after all,isn't it?

I recently found a slightly used bottle of this original Arlesienne for a steal and grabbed it, and as soon as I got it I remembered just how much I love it and why. I honestly don't get why they had to change this beauty to the soapy generic new Arlesienne! The original is a cozy, warming scent to make you happy on rainy days. It is like nothing I have ever smelt before, nothing is similar to it and I fear the day my almost full bottle ends. The spices are there but in no way overpowering. This is spicy floral in the most balanced and gorgeous way. In my opinion the best L'Occitane perfume to have ever been made.

Arlesienne was the one bottle I kept going to in the store. I tried it on and spent the most of the afternoon nose glued to wrist.... Each time, I got a vision of myself hugging my mom. I bought a bottle for her, naturally, and will give it to her on Monther's day (tomorrow!). Never would she buy such a perfume... I mean... saffron? She would never identify with this sort of spicy. Yet, I insist she owns it, I have a hunch she will love it. The write up says " Her grace is presented by roses, her fiery temperament is evoked by saffron and violet depicts her mystery." That's her!

Sniffing on this made me feel that I just meet again with my long lost love. My eyes were so wide opened as I instantly remember the powdery violet-rose combination that I strongly adore on Delice des Fleurs. Another delicious perfume crafted by L'Occitane. Very pretty. This fragrance, just like Delices des Fleurs, gives me that "happy scent". It's a definite mood fixer. Longevity's a killer. One test spray on my wrist lasts for more than 12 hours. This time, there's no way I'm gonna lose you again! Stocking up, starting tomorrow!!!

This. This is my soulmate scent and it kills me that L’occitane changed the formula. It was perfect the way it was. I like the new version well enough, but the original was just perfect. The new one has a tad too much saffron, making it spicier. Where as this, it’s rosey and powdery. I have a large collection of fragrances and this is always my favorite. It’s so feminine, romantic, classy, youthful and fresh. It’s a stunning scent. I wear it year round, day or night.

Grassy green rose at first that reminds me of Burberry Body. Like many L'Occitane scents, it does not bowl you over with a complex bouquet. It's mostly rose and violet. At times it smells wine-like, with a sharp geranium rose, and other times it smells like violetty make up powder. Its not my favorite scent in my collection--but I am glad I have it, since I can use it when I run out of Burberry Body.

@egaines23 I completely agree! A sales assistant tried to convince me that layering a rose fragrance with the new formulation would give the impression of the original. Not even close! There is nothing like the original and they should not have changed a thing other than offering it in a perfume concentration. I refuse to buy from them anymore for fear they will just throw away another masterpiece.

I love rose and sandalwood fragrances...so this is one of my favorites. I just adore it. Youthful and feminine. Definitely worth a try if you are looking for something new and unique

I'm wearing the body lotion right now. What a smell! It's heavenly, since I'm a rose and violet lover. Well done, L'Occitane!

Unlike some (too many) pretentious perfumes of today, L'Occitane scents (and other products in general) are offered with a shy attitude that I deeply admire. I love shopping at L'Occitane because their personnel is kind, informed, witty and very very polite. Unfortunately I can't say the same for other brands where being snooty seems a must and a positive quality. I love the scents by L'Occitane because in their simplicity they are little gems. Not all of them I love with the same intensity, but certainly this Arlesienne deserves some attention. I agree with Mellyhelly (her reviews are always spot on) that perhaps this is not the best season for such a release but in my opinion I think this says a lot about L'Occitane philosophy: "We have this scent ready to lauch, autumn is around us with its gloomy days, we offer you a shining thing to cheer you up. We do not care about marketing, we want to cuddle our customers in a fragrant embrace". Yes, that's Arlesienne, a fragrant embrace. Arles is a lovely city, very Roman (think about Lyon, Verona, Rome ...) and with the same charm and class these cities do possess. The essence of Arles is captured here with vivid flowers; I was afraid about saffron as it's a note I do not particularly love, but it's very intelligently dosed here. Of course rose and violet here play the leading role and in my opinion not in a so soapy way as other reviewers have noted. Sillage is nice and so is lasting power. If someone told me this scent was released around 1920 I would believe that. I'm impressed that browsing through the ingredient list on the bottle label the natural extracts are not so few as in some high end brand scents. Chapeau bas à L'Occitane!

I like rose and violet together. Arlesienne fits nicely into my wardrobe as it feels like an aromatherapy of sorts. This scent seems demure to me because of the rose and violet but it has an underlying spark of energy. Arlesienne opens with a mouthwatering fruity note. The fresh young rose and violet are detectable but the effect is quite delicate. The lily of the valley blends with the peppery saffron to give it some zing. The violet and sandalwood provide a lovely foundation. The overall effect is subtle, soft, warm and feminine. For those not keen on powder, it would be worth a try if the notes sound interesting to you. There's not too much powder here.

Strong sandalwood and orange then later comes rose. Few minutes later, rose and orange was gone, leaving mild scent of sandalwood and white wood. Violet and lily later pops out but it is not too strong. I was trying to avoid it because of the strong sandalwood but it got me addicted to smelling it. Sort of like aromatherapy effect I guess? And I just love how it gets after. Fresh soapy scents..

I have to agree with a lot of the reviews, this is simply a very nice fragrance, for me especially in this time of spring and I can see myself wearing this into mid or late summer. A very even blend, bright top notes, rich heart and warm dry down. I only have a small bottle but I can see myself buying more of this, probably the best of their fragrances so far.

I keep reading about reformulatkons, but right now L'Occitane is having a sale and selling the original formulation. So go check it out if you see this in time, if not, I've bought one and I'm happy to sell it.

tonka bean is detectable and prominent in this one

I just got this and i smell zero.

i got this last summer in search of a refreching qwest for bright bubbly champagne like wispy florals it does deliver the beauty of everecence it has an extremely efeverescent quality a crisp clean vibrant accord yet in my skin it turns a bit mellow creamy almost soapy it has a a natural light floraly almost rosy scent a honey dew and actual honey like vibe its a chloe type of fl orally waxy accord a white floral with berries and a super pungent vibrant alive crispy floraly accord it just sings notes of joy can be worn day or night more of an afternoon scent it an all occasion more of a general wear type of safe everyday sent with a character and personality that just says i am here to stay close to you and everyone will compliment you on your perfume ... the saffron adds a subtle hint of mellow sweetness the rose adds some warmth and vibrancy the tonka in the base makes it last and linger in a resinous way musky light the mandarin orange makes it bright in a crisp way al in all it is a beautiful perfume well composed made with love fits all those who want an easy going perfume with warmth and vibrancy in a clean effervescent way