Valensole Romance

Valensole Romance Parfum was launched in February 2021 and is a creation of the perfumer Renato Lopena. It is part of the authorial fragrance collection of his independent brand, Wren Atelier, founded in 2020. The inspiration for the fragrance (and its name) comes from the perfumer's memories of his time in France, more specifically, his visits to the Plateau Valensole, which is that famous spot with the largest lavender fields in the world. The fragrance is classified as a gourmand and brings top notes of butter and chocolate, followed by notes of lavender, sunflower, and honey in the body, on a base of beeswax, hay, and wheat. And what a great way to honor France and the lavender fields, isn't it? The strong smell of Provence lavender, the buzz of bees, coffees with different types of bread and croissants, and, of course, lots of butter, as the French love it. On the skin, Valensole Romance is, in fact, a gourmand like I haven't felt for a long time. The mix of butter with salt crystals and chocolate results in a kind of dark chocolate ganache with a high cocoa content. Right away, I notice a unisex and opulent fragrance! The evolution is slow and requires careful attention so that it is possible to perceive the nuances of toasted cereal, earthy carrot seeds, and ambrette, which seem to have been sprinkled on the dense chocolate cream. The aromatic and fresh aspect that one expects to feel from the notes of lavender and hay is practically imperceptible. It doesn't manage to stand out from the honey bath that the perfumer threw in this composition and that, for many, could be a bit overwhelming. And since I'm talking about the honey content in the fragrance, it's also worth mentioning the beeswax note which, it's worth emphasizing, doesn't smell like honey, but reminds me of molasses with tobacco nuances. So far, the best fragrances I tried with this note are those by Serge Lutens and one by Penhaligon's, called The Ruthless Countess Dorothea. Valensole Romance just jumped on the list! At the end of the day, having a fragrance from the gourmand family in a launch collection is as indispensable as a chypre, a floral, and a woody one. But taking a risk with a composition of this type, leaving aside the famous notes of vanilla, praline, cotton candy, or caramel, shows that the perfumer knows exactly who his target audience is and, above all, who he wants to have as a customer. Valensole Romance has a great performance, but it is not suitable for the hottest days of the year. Its fragrance needs to be worn with caution and, more importantly, with care. It's too elaborate for everyday occasions, but appetizing enough for a night of romance, the kind that deserves to end with breakfast served in bed. And don't forget the croissants, huh!?

This is very unusual from me. The hay and chocolate makes it somehow bitter. The chocolate butter combo reminscent of pain au chocolat, good the the honey here isnt sweet because it is accompanied by beeswax making it waxy. The wheat here makes it earthy. And oh the lavender here is to die for. The lavender supports every note listed. The perfumer tributes this to valensole france and most notes here can be found there. They dont compliment each other but oh they tell a story. The green facets of this from the hay probably, fights with the chocolate note. My brain is confused whether this will gp aromatic or gourmand. I love the earthiness of the wheat here it and how it compliments the honey note. It is not synthetically sweet like sugar. The sweetness here comes from the honey and chocolate. This is very unusual combination for a perfume. But it is well done in an artistic way. It smells really good when you catch a whiff of it in the air. It is full bodied but somehow transparent. This has no fresh notes or usual notes like musk and citrus. It is earthy, waxy and aromatic. Last time ive smelled a perfume like this is jo malones limited collection honey and crocus, green wheat and meadowsweet, oat and cornflower, poppy and barley. And yes it does smell like a field of lavender with some cereal grains and there is a bakery that bakes pain au chocolat somewhere near. You can smell its earthiness, greeness, waxiness. Good this this doesnt smell like straight up food and I highly respect gourmand perfumes that doesnt smell straight up food but retain its spirit as a perfume.

January 13, 2026 - first impression: chocolate and sunflower prominent, while wheat and honey scratching at the back of my nose; making it feel earthy. the box is nice, the fragrance sits upon a pleather where the shape of the bottle is etched. the cap however is light, which doesnt give it a premium feel for the price (they've addressed this issue as of now, they're cap weighs 57.5g now). the fragrance lasts a long time, like 7-8 hours. however, im just sad that it doesnt project (or maybe im just anosmic), upon testing multiple times, this has been my verdict. I just have to spray a lot just so that i could smell myself. Let's see what happens after a couple of months. Review after 3 months April 10 2026 - After testing a LOT of times, I can finally say that the fragrance does last long, around 8 hours and projects somewhere in between the moderate and intimate scale; you can still smell the fragrance after half a day, although you'll have to stick your nose to your skin. A fragrance like this should speak for itself; as it exudes elegance, peculiarity, and boldness. Do not wear this if you want to introduce yourself to the crowd; rather, if you want to be discovered. Verdict: January 13 Smell - 10/10 Projection 5/10 Longevity - 8/10 Final verdict: April 10 Smell - 10/10 Projection - 7.5/10 Longevity - 8.5/10 Value - 7.5/10

Renato Lopena Jr., perfumer and owner of Wren Atelier, perfectly captured the essence of his creation, Valensole Romance, when he described it as "a romance of contrasting notes: sweet, aromatic, and dry." Valensole Romance opens with a sunflower note, incorporating the green sunflower plant and flowers, and the nutty raw sunflower seeds as well. The nuanced debut of the sunflower is enriched by the combination of beeswax with the sunflower seeds, creating a smooth, natural accord. Honeyed lavender adds a touch of sweetness and an aromatic herbal quality that complements the natural, green sunflower notes, and a butter note deepens the scent. As the fragrance evolves, a rich dark chocolate aspect develops. Blended with the sunflower seeds, this chocolate becomes reminiscent of a sunflower butter cup, an artisanal take on a classic candy. Late into the wear, notes of dry wheat and dusty hay impart a soft, slightly powdery haze on the skin. With its exceptional longevity, intriguing accords, and surprising wearability, Valensole Romance is a fascinating fragrance, ideal for individuals who appreciate an eccentric and distinctive gourmand scent.

Smells like Zoologist Bee in the first hour, then dries down more herbal with a touch of green. Similar vibes with Bee but the latter has more "sticky honey" feel to it. Stunning creation!

If anyone is selling a bottle, please send me a message!