Madame Rochas

Contrarily to what some people here seem to think, this is not an underrated perfume. It has actually been, throughout the times, one of the most iconic perfumes ever. May be young people think so because it is no longer sold in perfume shops and for the last few years it was being sold in chemists at least in England and on the internet for an obnoxious low price for its quality. It is still relatively cheap, but its price seems to be going up. But it is not underrated. It is for sure one of the most famous perfumes of the last century and, despite the comments made by some people here, much more famous and sophisticated than the majority (for me than any, actually) of Chanel perfumes. Twenty years ago this was a very expensive perfume. And although Madame Rochas asked when it was made to have a perfume between arpege and number five, it is leagues above any of them. You cannot go wrong with this one, although I agree that is suits better mature women, beacuse of its class and sophistication.The fact that it seems a bit forgotten and is sold cheap these days shows how much tastes and prices are driven by fashion, brand name and advertisement. The perfume being sold these days is exactly the reformulation of 1989 which, of which, 22 years ago, the 50 ml bottle cost more than the 100 ml bottle these days. When I was a child, virtually everyone would have heard the name of this perfume. As far as I know, this is the second reformulation. The original perfume, sold as parfum de toilette, smelled heavenly, better, for my taste, than the first and this 1989 reformulation, but the sillage and the longevity are better now. I remember (I might be wrong) its having a vry soft almondish edge, very different from the vanilla and almond scent so trendy these days, and was what I found most remarkable and unique (I never smelled it anywhere else) abou it and what I can remember most vividly.This last reformulation is very close to the first reformulation, mostly more powdery, because of the iris, but I actually like this one better, from any viewpoint, fragrance, lasting power and sillage. Far from underrated, this used to be and I think it still is one of the most famous perfumes in the world. And deservedly. It is absolutely marvellous. And I agree, (not nearly as important), but the bottle is also beautiful. Rochas used to know how to make perfumes and everything to do with them. The bottles used to be beautiful, and so were the colours of some of them (the original lumiére was purple and byzance blue), and they produced light effects combined with the bottle colours. And they also knew how to give them names, without being pretentious. Lumiére is actually a beautiful name for a perfume. Not to mention the perfume. It is a pity that it is no lomger in production. I still have a bottle though. Marvellous perfume. Like Madame Rochas, although very different.

I do not know if the version I am reviewing is vintage or reformulated, but judging from the yellowing on the cellophane of the unopened gift set (100 ml EDT and 200 ml body lotion) purchased from another member, I am guessing it is the vintage. The bottle is exactly the same as the one pictured above and this SMELLS like a genuine 60's aldehyde floral...and then some! The opening blast of this perfume is sheer greens and aldehydes a-plenty! Surround this with a haze of chartreuse citruses, and bright vernal flowers like fruity hyacinth, orange blossoms and honeysuckle. It comes on like March does, like a LION; but becomes more "lamb-like" as the heart notes bloom and the aldehydes fade slowly. Madame Rochas is one of those exquisitely blended multi-floral compositions that has so many flowers it is nigh on impossible to pick them all out. I get the cool steely iris and the crisp daffodils, and just a touch of powdery "floral sachet" (remember those little soaps at Gramma's house? Yeah, like that!) until violet arrives with her typical sweet dryness, and tuberose adds just a dash of "naughty". For something so very complex and floral, Madame is clean and almost WHITE in the way she smells. I detect NONE of ylang's warmth or sultriness nor any muguet. Her soft sweet "voice" may be there adding to the floral harmony, but is buried under the other "singers", and this lady does SING!! After opening brightly and then being all frilly-dilly with the flowers, this settles to a lovely (predominately) vetiver soapiness, accented by cool woods and airy pungent oak moss. Ever so slightly sweet, in a very refined way, she becomes much more earthy; yet never gets her hands dirty. Madame Rochas is the quintessential "crisp and clean green floral" for the lady who wants to smell refined, but unpretentious, and rich without getting all heavy, oriental or carnal. She is sensual, alright...but then a true lady never kisses and tells! Sillage: great Longevity: very good Overall: 3.75/5 This is one of those bottles you would see on a refined lady's dresser; one who was conscious of her appearance, but never vain. Here is the sweet, soft pure scent of a matriarch, or loving mother, of not just her own family; but any others who come into the house and need or deserve unconditional love. Madame is one of those "comfort" scents for me, despite its cool demeanor, it smells amazingly rich and classy. NB: Yesterday (13 April, 2011) Madame Helene Rochas was laid to rest in Paris, France; where she lived and died. Her passing is mourned by perfume lovers around the world. This perfume is a fitting homage to her and how REAL perfume used to be made. You will be sorely missed, Madame! *bows head respectfully*

I am not sure which vintage version I have, but it is a parfum de toilette, in a bottle as shown above, and it came in a box with a pink brocade print on it. If anyone knows if this is a pre-1989 or formulation or post, I'd appreciate a heads up. My guess is that it is older. It has been well preserved, whichever version it is, and I get an immediate blast of aldehydes followed a minute later by a deep and inky oak moss. THIS is classic perfumery. The florals emerge after about 5 minutes, and I detect violet and rose immediately, softened by iris. The hyacinth adds some green freshness to the composition, and it rests on a bed of woody cedar and sandalwood. It is the friendliest old time chypres I can recall smelling. Very complex, so I know there is much more to explore here, and I am curious to see what else emerges on different wearings under different conditions. I won this in an Ebay auction. The price was truly a steal, and I consider myself lucky for winning it, as I feel like I own a piece of perfume history that has not been touched by time in any discernible manner. This was an immediate love for me, and I plan to wear this often this spring, though I truly think it is appropriate year round for anytime you want to feel elegant and sophisticated. ========== EDIT - Since purchasing the Parfum de Toilette, I have added a vintage pure Parfum. This is very intense,and though the top notes have weakened, what is left is a very potent leather note along with others. This note was very soft in the PDT but it is the start of the show in the pure Parfum. It because amazingly complex and beautiful when layered with the PdT. It is old school, and something that doesn't fit into what currently sells to modern audiences. I happen to love it, and it's something all lovers of retro and classic perfumery should experience.

Firstly, I own the recent EdT, which has sat on my shelf for a good while. Secondly, I am only 18 years old and feel like this perfume aims for an older audience. Thirdly, I'm pretty new to the perfume scene so please take this review with a grain of salt (or sugar, hehe). On me, at first it's very soapy before transitioning into a sweet floral that is just a tad powdery. My mom owns the original parfum, and I can definitely smell the top, middle and base notes better in the original then the newer toilette. It's an incredible scent, one that brings up fond memories whenever I smell it. I feel like I'm 8 again and I'm sitting in the back seat of our Toyota car on our way to a restaurant, cuddled up to mom since my brother next to me is hogging all the space again. It's classic and smells elegant in a more daily way, like a woman in her 40's or 50's casually yet gracefully doing some mundane chores. I think it wouldn't be out of place in a fancier setting though, I could see this on an impeccably coiffed beauty on a dinner date at a fancy restaurant any day. I think this perfume is a little ageless, as anyone can wear it with the youngest at least... 17? I think you'd make many a person do a double take though, and that the younger you are the lighter it has to go, maybe even under your clothes, especially if you're in high school. With the younger crowd it's more of a "special occasions" scent rather than a "I'm shopping at a mall" scent but an older woman in her late 30's could easily pull it off as a daily scent. Personally, I like this scent but it's quite hard for me to wear and it's very easy to accidentally spray too much. However, I do hope to eventually grow into this perfume as I get older, it's such a comforting scent to me that I would cry if I was unable to wear it when older.

My review is for vintage formula in Parfum de toilette and vintage pure parfum. Firstly when i sniff it out of the botlle it is an instant blast from the childhood: YES! that ́s exactly how fragrances smelled when i was little girl and they were highly desirable objects, especially in USSR where i have been born. makes my heart melt: a bit sharp, a bit soapy, a bit powedrly. Everything is exactly in the right proportions. Upon applying on my skin it opens up with a green-woodsy notes which soon transforms into soapy-creamy scent. It is a bit different than the current version, which has a more sharp opening and kind of metallic side effect. Usually i am not really fond of alhegydes but here they are sooo soft, i feel rose and tuberose in here. The drydown again returns to green notes, but still very soft ones. I agree with one of the previous review that the lasting power of vintage PdT is not that good as the current version, but long enough to be with you for almost the whole day. This is a true lady-like fragrance, if you can wear alhegydes, then DO try it. Like i said before "lady" doesn ́t mean you have to be middle aged, since you can be a lady at any age. The pure parfum version is more strong on the green notes, vetyver especially and more strongly reminds me of the current edition of EDT. Here the soapy notes not that prominent, they are submissive to green notes. Lasting power is great (over 24h). The best thin about "Madame" is that the sillage is just right for you to smell it, but not to be offensive to others! Really polite and madame-like perfume. The advertising image is sooooooo right for this perfume!

I am soooo happy! While browsing on a local trading site in search for "Tocade" i have found this fragrance and thought i would buy it just to test it because i thought it was a mini. I got it for about 10 euros and when i got it i realized that what i ́ve got is a pure parfum in vintage version!!! In a box which looks like a tapestry 7,5 or 10 ml full and well preserved (there is no indication of size on the bottle). I mean how lucky can one perfume obsessed person get when you get such a bargain for a vintage pure parfum?! Since the whole Rochas range is not being sold in my country for years now (can you imagine that?!), neither have i seen Rochas in other scandinavian countries for ages now i can ́t compare it with current formulation. I remember from the times when it still was available that indeed to my nose it smelled like an old lady perfume, but what did i know about perfumes back then.... I haven ́t applied it yet, only sniffed out of the bottle and i already love it!!! It is one of the most refined classy scents i have ever smelled yet! A true lady-like fragrance and i don ́t think you can be lady only if you ́re over 40, you can be a lady at any age! Imagine a queen and the rest of the crowd. The queen who is always well mannered and follows etiquette and the rest of the crowd who can act also nice and polite but still they are not queen, but quenn-wannabes. That ́s how i imagine this fragrance. As a queen, not in a dressing way but in behaving way. I will update my review when i will try it on my skin. I have ordered also now a vintage parfum de toilette version and can ́t wait to test it.

I too like so many folks here scour the listings searching for Madame Rochas in the now elusive stronger concentrations, I was lucky to have found a couple of the eau de parfum 100 ml. natural 'demo' sprays last year, these bottles have the beaded gold collars around the neck just below the vapo' button/cap whereas the eau de toilette atomiser is all glass. This time frame (1995-2000) marked the end of production for this potent eau de parfum reorchestration (late 80's) & were used predominately by department stores here in 'Oz' as testers to sell the edt, it is divinely *LUSH* as well as classically chic alas it is also heartbreaking to know that it is no longer available in this concentration, not necessary to describe this Guy Robert masterpiece as devotees of this iconic juice are intimately familiar with it's pristine white florals, velveteen oakmoss & civety/ musky delights, Rochas followed up later in the mid 1980's with a 75 ml. gold metallic cased limited edition pressurized atomiseur that survived for a short lived period although it can still be found occasionally online for a small fortune. Regardless of the endless choice of top shelf fragrances on the market today this 1960's vintage beauty still tugs heavily at my olfactive heart-strings. The present edt. iteration in my opinion is a mean, thin, pale watered down skin-scent, worlds away from the wizardry of Guy Robert's original creation. "Where have all the flowers gone, a long time passing". . . SHAMEFUL!!!

This Is an up-date review on Madam Rochas which is now made by P&G - Procter & Gamble!! & It's just great knowing that this stunning beauty is still very much alive!! To Me Madam Rochas = "Real Perfume" used & loved by real classy girl's & woman!! Used & loved by my own Mother & her Mum my Grandmother You Could Say that I grew up around this Perfume,So no wonder that I love it so much!! Perfume sure is a special fond memory!! It Does remind me also of the original "Miss Dior edt" which is another favourite Perfume of mine,as green mossy/earthy-fresh Chypre Perfumes really do float my boat!! Rather than today's sugary sweet creations that seem to smell all the sameway now!! Any wonder why these type of Perfumes have firmly stood the test of time,& remain the true classic base in many expensive Perfume House's!! These grand Perfume's should NEVER be forgotten nor discontinued ever as they mean way to much to so many people!! Long live "Madam Rochas & Miss Dior Original" two simply stunning Chypre's of all time. & Yes!! Both these two stunning Chypre's could very easily be embraced,loved & wore by any guy or man,as I'm 100% sure that they both would smell absolutely stunning on them!! Perfume Should deffo be loved & wore by anyone & any gender!!

This is so much better than I hoped. I remember smelling it as a child and loving it. How it came in my sister's possession is a mystery but I believe it's still the most elegant perfume she ever owned. I hoped that Chamade would smell like this plus vanilla, unfortunately, it doesn't. Broke my heart too. There is a clear resemblance to Calèche, but Madame Rochas is less compact, less rosy and somehow more dynamic. Calèche is round and mellow and Madame Rochas is dry and tonic. Its character is more like N°5 in edt, you know, the sparkle. As much as I love Caleche, I have vintage sdp and it's a one cranky perfume. Like a tired child that's refusing to go to bed. I'm unable to get rid of it and I don't want to spend any time with it. The opening is bright and soapy. I'm delighted by the heavy presence of iris and orris from the start. Dry and powdery. Somewhere in the middle it becomes slightly fizzy with a touch of acidity like sparkling wine and that usually happens only in the opening. Seamless transition to drydown that appears endless. Outstanding. I almost feel guilty how little I payed for it. It was a steal. I'm loving every minute with it and than compulsively sniffing my dirty laundry. Don't judge me.

this perfume reminds me of my mother immensely..every time i smell it, i am taken back to my childhood years..its a sophisticated.. fine.. french ..fragrance full of class.. and femininity.. and strength.. just like my mother.. elegant.. tall.. and subtle.. yet wonderful and full of surprises.. its a perfume fit for a queen ..a european queen.. its some how British.. french.. or from Europe ..it smells like the 70ies and 80ies although i was born in the 80ies i would still think that this is how elegant women smelled like back then .. its a bit powdery.. a bit balmy.. a bit musky.. a lot aldehydic floral.. but nice.. non head each inducing florals.. its also woodsy .its a bit green with some other florals..its clean a bit soapy a lot perfumey.. its how a perfume should smell like..its in a class of its own.. a masterpiece..a perfumers perfume... ..its a dream perfume.. i think its very motherly..there is something in it that has that motherly tender touch to it.. yet with all the strength.. and confidence.. and faith a mother has .. edp 100 ml natural vaporiser perfume ratting 4.5 out 5 bottle ratting 4.6 out 5 my personal likeing ratting 4.7 out 5

Madame Rochas by Rochas created by master Guy Robert launched on the market in 1960. Madame Rochas together with Chanel n 5, Arpege by Lanvin, First by Van Cleef & Arpels, Diva by Emanuel Ungaro, Fleur de Feu by Guerlain, Jardins de Bagatelle by Guerlain , Chamade by Guerlain, Quelques Fleurs l'Original by Houbigant, Fracas di Robert Piguet , par excellence represent the cornerstones of world women's perfumery of all times. Fragrances that provide for reverential and devoted respect, absolute giants to approach with full awareness. Madame Rochas represents femininity in all its power and multifaceted nature: enveloping, bewitching, disturbing, a fragrance that imposes itself on the juste pulvérisé in a supreme way. The olfactory evolution is incredibly triumphal, a sudden passage boises that reaches the impetuous floral that evolves into a grandiose and masterful talc of rare beauty and persistence. To amplify all the magical secret aldehydes of irresistible fragrances. Madame Rochas is a timeless, sensual, inimitable fragrance. Absolute masterpiece.

Although I've completely fallen head over heels for Rochas(RIP), this one was one that I didn't invest much interest in. Since these great fragrances are no longer in production, I've been buying up what I can find. Well, Madame may be the very best perfume of the brand. If this was reformulated in 1989, it didn't stop it from smelling like 1960! Indeed, this is Baghari, Climat, and Magie with the stature and absurd elegance of Arpege and No. 5. This may be the best perfume of this genre, though. The floral aldehydic notes and the warmth of the base are just to die for. It's no wonder Sophia Loren advertised this fragrance - it is as definitively 60s as she is. It is much more difficult for me to pull off as a man than the other fragrances - Chanel no 5 is very manly in comparison! This smells like the kind of cartoonish elegance that doesn't exist anymore - furs, diamonds, gloves, and chivalry. I think this genre all but died out with that image. Still, I admire it and plan on wearing it a good bit this Winter.

The currently available formulation of the EDT is a beautiful scent, and if vintage is better than this, well--is that possible? A warm, spicy fragrance that can be worn day or night. The aldehydes are very gentle in the opening notes, I detect more citrusy notes than aldehydes. The middle floral notes make this frag sound as if it would be a flowery-sweet sensory overload, but not so. I'm usually repelled by super sweet fragrances and I wear this one very often so trust me on this; somehow the perfumer manages to make those sweet florals come off in a smoothly blended, sophisicated way. This is not a girly-girl cloying perfume. I find a spiciness in the heart and drydown that defies explanation; there are no spicy notes listed but I could swear they are there. The drydown is resinous, rich, and woody, making this one of my personal favorites. Madame Rochas comes pretty close to being my "default" fragrance these days. Sillage very good, longevity great, about 9 hours on me. Another reason to love it!

Potent floral top notes. Amazing in that I sort of get them all? In a way I'm sort of reminded of the big floral aura of an arrangement found in the lobby of upmarket hotels. A minute after application and the base notes merge: musk and amber the most noticeable. Orris root for a hint of spiciness. Tonka for the powdery more upmarket 'ladies compact' background. As it warms on my skin the florals are completely calmed and I find myself enveloped in this airy, green, woody wonderland that reminds me of a springtime stroll in the Mirabell Palace garden in Salzburg that I so enjoyed a few years ago. It firmly resides in the classic traditions of 1960s ladies perfumery. As such, it has a real appeal to those of us who were experimenting with our first perfumes in that exciting era and as Twiggy wannabes. Seriously, it is regular wear for me for all the nice recollections and associations it gives me. Need a heavy application if it is to last all day.

I am in love. It is not the fleeting passion of a moment, but the quiet attraction that grows into a lifetime of devotion. What a dazzling woman Madame Rochas is! As Scent lover astutely observes, Madame Rochas feels very like the gentlest of chypres ~ refined and graceful. I suppose that on the wrong person this lovely scent could be horrifying. On my chemistry, the modern edt is never overpowering and can be sprayed with abandon. If Aldeyhdes bother you, this is one to avoid. For me, they add the finishing touch of sparkle to a perfect construction. Many thanks to all the gracious friends here at Fragrantica who enabled me to choose this elegant lady! UPDATE ~ Wearing this in the summer heat has lifted Madame to even greater heights. My chemistry blends with it far better now - the dryness becoming warmly earthy and utterly satisfying. I could wear this on safari Or to a banquet. She is minimal, chic, and mysterious. We have a WINNER.

I have this in both vintage and the new formulation, and while the new is still nice, it's no longer the masterpiece Guy Robert created. The vintage that I have came as a set in an orange and brown brocade box that had a 3oz. pdt., a 1/2oz. bottle of parfum, a round bar of soap, and dusting powder with powder puff. It must have cost my aunt and uncle, (who purchased it as a gift for my mother), a pretty penny when they bought it on a trip to Paris. My mother didn't care for it and relegated it to a dresser drawer. While the new formula is a good dupe of the original, it's not a perfect dupe. The original is deeper, fuller, richer, and appropriate for not just day wear but evenings too. Honestly, I like them both, but the original version is hands down a much better made fragrance with clearly better-quality ingredients. There were no cutting corners, or regulations to follow, when they made the original version.

Gorgeous, beautiful scent!! Madame Rochas is the kind of scent that grows on you. I have gotten compliments for it even at the end of a long and busy day, which is amazing!!! I consider Madame Rochas more of a green chypre fragrance rather than floral aldehyde because it has all the hallmarks: oakmoss, vetiver, orris root, and green notes. It has a lot of similarities with Estee Lauder Knowing and Climat by Lancome. It opens with a burst of green, mossy, soapy, aldehydes that becomes more floral in the dry down. There is always neroli, orange blossom, hyacinth, and iris lingering in the background. Madame Rochas is a classy scent, very green, very chypre, much like the classy chypre fragrances of old. A nice alternative to the very expensive Azuree by Estee Lauder, but they are not mutually exclusive. Be careful because Madame Rochas can become an obsession! I almost can't leave the house without it!!

Madame Rochas is the masterpiece of the great Guy Robert, a stunning creation which will be forever remembered as one of Rochas’ greatest perfumes. It takes the aldehydic floral theme of Arpège as its starting point but plays on the base which is warmer and more sensual. The scent opens with this great airy aldehydic accord alongside hesperidic citrus notes, alongside a gentle leafy green facet. The heart is composed of a classical floral harmony which is delicately fresh and soapy, whilst the base achieves that sensual effect through the use of sandalwood, musk, benzoin, coumarin and oakmoss. The result is something beautifully soft and leathery, a perfect example of French luxury and refinement. The sample I have is of the vintage EDC, and I already know I need to seek out a full bottle of this - it is utterly stunning and a must-have for any lover of classical French florals.

My juice is a bit unusual in that in came in one of the 60s bottles with the gas. The sprayer hadn’t been used in an eternity and when I went to spray it malfunctioned and I had to decant it all quickly because the gas was effectively consuming the scent. IYKYK. Anyhow, I find this fragrance to be incredibly peaceful. The wood is prominent, with floral peeks here and there, especially the rose. Maybe *I* am too old to be subjective, but this doesn’t read as old lady to me. Genteel and from another era, sure. But a modern day cult house could release this and everyone would flip their lids — it’s not powdery, at all, which for me is what goes “old lady”. Powder and musk. But I digress. If you are prone to anxiety, I really recommend this one. I had too much coffee this morning and Madame Rochas brought me down to earth in the most delightful way.

I found a 10ml glass vial of the original formula while playing in my grandmother's attic fifteen years or so ago. I do remember that the whole cupboard I found it in smelled very nice, but not until yesterday when the bottle reappeared during cleaning did I connect that smell with the perfume. My bottle must be about 40 years old, and it has definitely aged well. The citrus top notes are almost entirely gone, and I now smell a wonderfully well-balanced blend of powdery wood and aldehydes with some sweet white flowers. It smells to me like Elnett hairspray or a much softer, less soapy version of Chanel No 5. Very feminine, very old-fashioned, yet very wearable. There was just a few drops left in my bottle when I found it, so I will be saving it for the particularly boudoirish moments in life.