Blog post by Gwen

Grand Soir – luxurious and captivating and cozy

Photo: perfumeniche

I was in Paris just after Francis Kurkdjian released Absolue Pour le Soir in 2010 and was besotted with it the first time I wore it. Its rich, animalic complexity was erotic, and it made me feel indecent. But not everyone felt the way I did about it. For some, it was too challenging, and it never really became a strong seller. By 2020, it was only available at the Maison Francis Kurkdjian stores in Paris. I remember buying stocking up at the Rue d'Alger location in January 2020, during the transit strike. And then, suddenly, it seemed, it was discontinued.

But that doesn’t mean it was a bad fragrance, just a confusing one, so in 2016, Kurkdjian re-visited the concept and the formula, and Grand Soir was born. Let me tell you, it is a stone-cold stunner.

It opens with a rush of warm, spicy heat from cinnamon leaf. This is a rich, complex note; I smell its woody, boozy and sweet facets. The heat is scented with deep, resinous, balsamy,ambery-tinged cistus labdanum, and fresh, herbaceous, camphorous lavender. It’s a combination that telegraphs ‘sensuous’ from the very first whiff. The top notes settle into a gorgeous amber-vanilla accord that’s sweet, warm and just a little powdery. On me, the vanilla is rich, creamy and deep and perfectly balanced by the lavender. The base of Tonka bean and benzoin enrich the amber-vanilla accord, creating a drydown that is sophisticated and elegant while at the same time being cozy and approachable. This makes Grand Soir the perfect scent to wear in cold, winter weather. 

Grand Soir in English means ‘big night’, and the marketing promo for Grand Soir says, ‘Wander in the plenitude of a never-ending night and enjoy the daring radiance of a magnificent Parisian evening, over and over again.’ Kurkdjian delivers that experience with Grand Soir. The lavender from Provence and the hint of powderiness—a note the French feel adds sophistication to a perfume - define the fragrance as French to my mind. Wearing it on a big night out in Paris? Well, that’s just a spine looking for a tingle.

Is Grand Soir a replacement for Absolue Pour le Soir? It isn't in my niche. Absolue Pour le Soir is more animalic and edgy, while Grand Soir is luxurious, captivating and sophisticated. I have room for them both on my perfume shelf.

Check out Grand Soir in our Shop.