Sous Le Toit de Paris Atelier Cologne 2012

When a fragrance owes its creation to the anniversary of a department store, it initially doesn't sound particularly erotic. However, when you delve a little deeper into the object of dedication, you must acknowledge that it wonderfully captures what architecturally characterizes one of the great temples of consumption of our time.

The flagship store of Galeries Lafayette, founded at the end of the 19th century in Paris, is distinguished by its pompous yet delicate Art Nouveau architecture. Here, all the luxury brands of the world are united under one roof across ten floors. The heart of the building is an expansive gallery hall, which, with its magnificent, richly decorated, colorful glass dome, invites one to linger and indulge in shopping. True to the motto "le superflu - chose la plus nécessaire," the department store impresses with both lavish ornamental abundance and fine lines, as well as graceful structures cast in glass and iron.

The characteristics of this era are beautifully reflected in Sous le toit de Paris. The fragrance is alluringly sensual on one hand, while a delicate, sensitive clarity places limits on the opulence, ensuring that one never feels overwhelmed by all the richness.

Sous le toit de Paris opens with a delicious, light, and simultaneously charmingly bitter orange note. Neroli and bitter orange provide refreshment and awaken the senses for what is yet to come. The decorative, enticing side of the fragrance does not take long to reveal itself and manifests in a sumptuous powder that forms a seductive duet with a lovely violet bouquet. The floral notes are given ample space to shine and are only tempered by a clear, green bitterness. This is thanks to the rose geranium, which evokes freshly cut stems and branches. A clever move, as this way, the fragrance retains the character of a Cologne despite all its opulence.

Sous le toit de Paris is undoubtedly the most elegant fragrance from Atelier Cologne that I have encountered so far. It boasts high sillage and good longevity, retreating to the skin only after five to six hours. Its cosmopolitan flair invites one to stroll and enjoy, and where better to do this than in Paris, the city of the Seine and Pont Neuf, the Louvre and Champs Elysees, the metropolis of elegance.