Eaux Poudrées

An explosion of powdery petals with fruity mandarin and grapefruit notes, imbued with the levity of camellia and lily-of-the-valley, cradled by a base note of patchouli.
Native to the forests of the Far East, camellia is often associated with the southernmost regions of Japan, where it was once the subject of sacred rituals. As far back as 1783, it had already acquired an aura of prestige and fashion, thanks in no small part to Josephine de Beauharnais. Her passion was such that, as Empress of France, she would plant the flower in her gardens at the Château de Malmaison on the outskirts of Paris.

Lily-of-the-valley is the eternal arrival of joy. Every year, halfway between the start of spring and the summer – on 1st May, or Labour Day –, the French exchange gifts of lily-of-the-valley. The tradition honours the legend that, way back in the 16th century, Marie de Medici was given a sumptuous bouquet of these same flowers by her son, King Charles IX, in order to bring her good luck.

As well as being present in Greek mythology and biblical scripture, the fleur-de-lis became closely associated with the Kings of France, thanks to its use in many of their iconographic religious works. Depicted in the form of an emblem with three petals, the lily symbolises regal power and adorns a host of monuments, sculptures and works of art.

The rose is the most widely grown flower in the world, leading to a certain ambiguity in the symbolism that surrounds it. Yet if there is a reason why this Queen of Flowers – as the rose is known – is so coveted, it is surely its close association with love and weddings.

A wild and tropical flower, the gardenia has become as a fixture in the gardens of Western Europe thanks to the indefinable elegance of its white flowers and its heavenly scent.