Place Vendome by Boucheron

It didn’t win me over. The first time I wore it, I got a headache. It’s very honeyed and floral, super elegant, giving the impression it’s for older, very formal women. We just didn’t match… The only thing that really stands out is the bottle, divine, with a beautiful, heavy cap.

I didn’t like it at first. It has a strong opening, very spicy, with cedar as the star. At first glance, it seems very strong and woody, but I gave it a chance and the magic happened. As it dries, the wood, honey, and benzoin blend deliciously. It’s unique, ideal for a formal afternoon, evoking a cabin or a mountain walk. The only downside is that, because it smells so strong, I expected it to last longer; on my skin, it’s soft after an hour, and I have to bring it close to my arm to notice anything.

I couldn’t expect less from Nathalie Lorson and Oliver Cresp, two of my favorite perfumers. This duo has created a beautiful aroma. The name evokes the historic square in central Paris, where the Boucheron house had its first jewelry store. To me, the bottle is lovely and eye-catching, simulating the Vendôme Column raised by Napoleon in 1810. The opening is very pleasant (orange blossom, tangerine, pepper, and rose); I perceive a lot of citrus. In the heart, the floral accords stand out. It closes with benzoin and a notable cedar. It’s floral (rose, peony, jasmine) with slight sweet touches and a beautiful woody dry down. It comes out of the closet in autumn; I think that’s when it develops best. Although they say it’s discontinued, it’s still available. I just bought my second bottle and also want to review the body mist. The longevity is about 6 hours. It’s wearable to the office without bothering anyone and perfect for formal dates.

First off, I adore having it in my collection. Its name is a tribute to the historic Vendôme square, north of the Tuileries Garden and east of the Madeleine church. In its center stands the column raised by Napoleon in 1810. That’s where the Boucheron house had its first jewelry store. Its aroma distills class and sophistication. A woody floral with presence; here there are no little flowers or sweet fruits. There are spiced white flowers wrapped in a respectful citrus accord that never comes to the front. Then, spectacularly, the honey and rose make their entrance, hand in hand, leading to that cedar base. Imagine a great old cedar tree when its resins peek out and drip, and next to it a great rose bush with delicate bud roses, not prickly. Performance: it lasts about 6 hours on skin and a couple more on clothes, with medium-low sillage and projection. I lack words to explain the beauty of this underrated fragrance. Fun fact: it has great similarity to Illicit by Jimmy Choo, another underrated gem. The main difference is that Illicit is less floral and more gourmand, with a sweet bomb base (honey, amber, vanilla, caramel) that makes it precious but not elegant. In contrast, Place Vendôme is elegant and refined; it’s a woman on the third floor, well-groomed with red lipstick matching her heels. I adore both, each with its own magic.

This perfume is a beast for everyday wear. It smells of white flowers, neroli, and jasmine, with a spicy touch of pepper and a base of honey and cedar. For some reason I don’t know, I always wear it in winter because of that honey note, but since it’s not excessively sweet, I’m going to try it in summer too, as other girls enjoy it that way. It has moderate sillage and lasts about 7 hours on my skin, though it stays on clothes much longer. I admit it’s light, and to get 100% out of it, I have to apply quite a bit. I wear it for informal occasions, but it has a certain elegance. In comparisons, although they’ve said it enough times with Illicit by Jimmy Choo, I see similarities but not enough to make them redundant. Yes, both have honey and jasmine, but Illicit is much sweeter, creamier, and less floral—more cozy but less elegant. The one it really reminds me of is the classic Roberto Cavalli EDP; this is softer and lacks that marked vanilla character. Scent 7.5/10, Longevity 7/10, Sillage 7/10, Value/Quality 7/10, Versatility 8/10, Packaging 8.5/10. Would I buy it again? Probably yes.

What a marvel. It’s from my wife’s collection, and I’m fascinated by it. It smells of class and good taste. Without going into details, for me, it’s like a box of makeup pencils with a floral note where rose and frosted orange reign. A gourmand dry-down that isn’t cloying. The downside is that it doesn’t project much and its longevity could be a bit longer. It’s much better than average designer perfumes, though that mix of rose and wood sets it apart from most people’s tastes. It certainly deserves more recognition than it gets. PD: What a great perfumer Nathalie Lorson is.

Rich, elegant, and very pleasant. It smells like freshly opened wooden pencils to me, very woody. It’s amazing and I really liked it.

Excellent perfume, lasts forever, and at first it smells like coconut, I don’t know why, because it’s not in the ingredients list, but it’s a great perfume. It smells like sweet flowers and its aroma is uncommon.

Good, affordable, and beautiful. It lasts for hours and is super elegant. I tried it alongside Chanel Chance… it costs three times less, lasts six times longer, and is twice as feminine.

I tried this perfume today; it seemed nice but I didn’t find much personality. A soft sweet, but nothing more… According to the salespeople, they’re discontinuing it. Edit: This afternoon I put on the sweater I wore yesterday and smelled a very pleasant fragrance that wasn’t any of the ones I own. Immediately my nose went to my right wrist, and there it was. I smelled my wrist and could feel it as if I had just applied it. After a while, I didn’t understand anything until I remembered that yesterday I had tested Place Vendôme on that hand and dismissed it. What surprises me most is that it transferred from the wool cuff to my skin, and after hours, I can still perceive it. I insist, I don’t find it very defined in its notes, but that’s what makes it refined and delicate. It’s undoubtedly a quality perfume. Maybe I’ll give it another chance, especially since we might not have it anymore. Given the discontinuation, the price-quality ratio is very convenient.

Place Vendôme by Boucheron is an oriental floral where honey, orange blossom, jasmine, and praline predominate over a soft base with roses, peony, and cedar. It’s a very beautiful and romantic perfume; on my skin it lasts about 6 to 8 hours with moderate sillage. I like it for afternoons and warm nights, although it works perfectly in cooler climates too.

I was looking for something to alternate with Chanel Chance, and the salesperson recommended this. At first, I thought it was wonderful: very floral, elegant, and sophisticated. I almost bought it on the spot, but decided to wait and see how it developed—and I’m glad I did! After 40 minutes, it smelled only of pepper, nothing else. Definitely not for my skin. What a pity, because I know where I live it’s a scent almost no one wears, and I love feeling exclusive with it, but alas… I’ll keep searching.

I bought it blind, without testers, fearing I might be wrong. I asked on a forum and a user suggested this alternative. A short while later, I opened it (heartbreaking, it looks so beautiful sealed) and I couldn’t tear my nose away from it. I barely smelled it, and my eyes welled up. It was exactly what I was looking for: delicious, sweet, soft, and with personality. I’m a fan of Boucheron now. Thanks, azuriiita, for the help on the forum. It started with a soft citrus, nothing intrusive (I’m not a fan of citrus), a cheerful orange scent that gave way to the sweetness of honey, like the honey candles in Catholic churches. A warm, sweet scent with flowers, and now I’m sensing a timid praline. It’s grand and elegant. The honey stands out on me, deliciously. Worth the blind buy.

Refined and elegant, very distinguished and subtle. Original and fresh. I’d wear it in the morning for work or in the afternoon. It feels more suited for summer.