Blog post by Gwen
Le Muguet de Rosine - floral and fruity and memorable
Photo: perfumeniche - Lily of the Valley plants on rue Montorgueil
It happens all the time when you travel. You go to Rome, and the Sistine Chapel is closed for renovations; you go to Venice, and the Horses of Saint Mark are being repaired, or you’re in Paris on a public holiday.
So, our hearts dropped just a wee bit when we learned we would be in Paris on the 1st of May, which is May Day, or La Fête du Travail. This public holiday in France celebrates workers’ rights with a day of demonstrations, marches, and protests. On this day, streets are blocked, the Metro runs on a holiday schedule, and shops, bakeries, museums, restaurants, and cafés are closed.
Strolling around Paris on the last day of April, I saw people selling hand-tied sprigs and small bouquets of lily of the valley on every corner and shops selling lily of the valley plants.
Wandering up rue Montorgueil, the smell of the flowers filled the air. Stopping for lunch, we asked the waiter what was going on. He told us that May Day is also called La Fête du Muguet, when people give lily of the valley to friends and family as a token of affection and good luck. Watching people walk around with their lily of the valley sprigs, plants, and bouquets in their hands and goodwill in their hearts lifted our mood.
After lunch, I did a little perfume shopping and ended up at Les Parfums de Rosine. This has to be one of the most underrated French indie lines, but who doesn't love a hidden gem? On that day, I found one: Le Muguet de Rosine.
Le Muguet de Rosine is a special edition fragrance launched in 2015 in honour of La Fête du Muguet. One whiff of it on my skin was so enchanting that I couldn’t walk away without it.
It opens with citrusy, tart bergamot gently sweetened by a note of green pear that extends the bergamot to a note of green, fresh, gently sweet lily of the valley at the heart. For a moment I am back at the produce stand on rue Montorgueil. The lily of the valley is joined by a note of lush, creamy, romantic rose. On me, the rose takes over at times, and I don’t mind one little bit. Then sweet, indolic jasmine comes forward, picking up on the jasmine nuances of the lily of the valley and highlighting them so that the lily of the valley is soft, not screeching. White musk at the base is clean, smooth and slightly sweet and the perfect anchor for this spring scent.
The drydown is elegant, refined and romantic. Le Muguet de Rosine has a lightness to it, like something you would catch in the spring air.
When I got back to the hotel there was a lovely bouquet of lily of the valley waiting for me. Lucky me. Since that day, I carry lily of the valley on my skin.
Check out Le Muguet de Rosine in our Shop.