Eau de Courrèges Courrèges 1974

Some generous sprays of Eau de Courrèges on a hot day and I am invigorated. This zesty number is notably greener than the typical eau fraîche, with a sparkling bergamot and bracing lime followed by mint and wormwood, resulting in an almost mojito effect. It evokes green summer lawns and running through sprinklers on sweltering late July days.

...Once again, a fragrance added to my collection that is on the verge of being untraceable, but thanks to chance (or luck), it was sitting at TK-Maxx. 16 euros for 50 ml... trap closed, fragrance secured. Connoisseurs know what’s good, even if 1000 others leave it behind in favor of mainstream perfumes (many there, Boss, Lacoste, Yves Rocher, Escada... etc., always different). Luckily, the "good old" ones remain for people like me because hardly anyone knows these brands anymore... And what a light, citrus-woody-fresh, slightly mossy-green Chypre is, very few "non-perfumos" know as well... "Eau de Courrèges" is a typical example of this. The start is first citrusy and fresh, similar to the older "Diorella," and then quickly transitions into a floral and green heart note that lasts long, but is certainly not purely "clean and pure," rather reflecting a tiny bit of "dirtiness" that could stem from the aforementioned civet... and: a hint of leathery moss lurking just before the long-lasting base in the depth, which later fully reveals itself, with a bit of wood... but never losing that fine "dirtiness." This makes the scent of "Eau de Courrèges" very interesting and slightly mysterious. Right now, the outside temperatures are still quite moderate to make a truly "100 percent" statement about this Eau de Toilette (which behaves more like an Eau de Parfum in terms of longevity and sillage). I will wait to see what summer brings and will test it intensively again at 30 degrees to determine any temperature-dependent scent differences. And possibly add to today’s comment. But one way or another: it is certain that I hold a small rarity with a great retro scent in my hands, or rather, on my skin....

I am still on the hunt for the ultimate summer fragrance - and that reminded me of my trips to the summer retreat with Uncle Willi and Aunt Gretchen.

The beautiful, white Borgward Isabella was fueled up, and we headed towards Holland.
Auntie was equipped with a Courreges hat and matching summer gloves, which suited her very well.
I lounged in the back seat on the fine, soft leather seats, lost in the view of the landscape.
From the front, a similarly fine, light scent wafted to my nose, which I found exceptionally pleasant.
Fresh citrus notes were quite refreshing, but not overpowering.
My child’s nose detected lemon and lime - fruits I already knew.
There was also a green, grassy note - combined with a cool mint aroma.
I also sensed lavender - I knew Yardley Lavender from my grandma.
I leaned forward and curiously asked about the lovely fresh scent.
"Eau de Courreges" - my aunt explained to me with a smile.
I memorized the enchanting "wonder water".
That's how I wanted to smell one day.
The drive in the elegant car, with the passing landscape and accompanied by the beautiful scent could have lasted forever.

Fortunately, I managed to snag the original Eau de Courreges at a perfume sale.
Many years later - but I had not forgotten it.

And my child’s nose did not deceive me - it is still a cheerful summer fragrance, which also possesses a certain effortless elegance.