Bottle Design:
Thierry Lecoule

See Prices

More

We may earn a commission when you buy from links on our site, including the eBay Partner Network and Amazon.

Cabaret Grès 2003

7.2 / 10 138 Ratings

A perfume by Grès for women, released in 2003. The scent is floral-woody. It was last marketed by Lalique Group / Art & Fragrance.
Pronunciation Compare

More

We may earn a commission when you buy from links on our site, including the eBay Partner Network and Amazon.

Main accords

Floral

Woody

Chypre

Spicy

Powdery

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Rose

Lily of the valley Peony

Peony

Heart Notes

Frankincense Iris

Iris

Violet

Base Notes

Musk

Sandalwood Amber

Amber

Patchouli

Oleander

Perfumer

Michel Almairac

Ratings

Scent

7.2138 Ratings

Longevity

6.5100 Ratings

Sillage

5.879 Ratings

Bottle

6.894 Ratings

Value for money

8.410 Ratings

Submitted by DonVanVliet · last update on 05/15/2025.

Source-backed & verified

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to

Cannabis Rose

Lumière (2000)

Miss Dupont

Agent Provocateur

Rose of No Man's Land Eau de Parfum

Alessandro Dell'Acqua

Reviews

26 in-depth fragrance descriptions

07/15/2012

jtd
484 Reviews

jtd

Helpful Review 7

New strategy: Put it in a less spangly bottle, give it a name like Musc deMuscatel, sell niche @ Lutens prices. Would work!

Transparent, woody rose. I’ve seen Cabaret described this way a number of times. I’ll take the transparent, and even though I can’t really describe how a fragrance is transparent, Cabaret is. I do smell a boozy rose, particularly at the opening. But overall, Cabaret smells of incense, lily of the valley and musk. There are certainly many elements that I’m leaving out, but these seem to be the key notes. They bounce off each other and form some interesting combinations as they evolve---green apple candy? Badgely Mischka-style fruity floral?

The early drydown (a fairly long stretch) smells of lily of the valley combined with the fruit-like sweetness of musk. Later in the drydown, the tone is a cool cedar-like, incensy musk. This last bit stays close to the skin but lasts the length of the day.

Again, I have trouble with the word transparent here, as I can’t really nail down what I mean. But here’s a point of comparison: Sarah Jessica Parker’s Lovely, similarly a musky, woody floral is blunt and gooey, whereas Cabaret feels coated in a glossy clear lacquer. The visual analogy of a lacquer or varnish, a clear layer that enhances or qualifies the color and appearance of what’s underneath, is probably close to the idea here. My bet is that there is a particular use of aromachemicals that focuses or directs the nose to the other elements of the fragrance, perhaps similar to the way aldehydes modify a floral. However it’s done, the effect is lasting and lovely.

06/07/2015

7Scent 7.5Longevity 7.5Sillage

Missk
1350 Reviews

Missk

Helpful Review 5

A Very Dramatic Rose

It's so easy to dismiss a fragrance based purely upon the fact that it's cheap. There's always that presumption that it can't be anything that spectacular, so if you're anything like me, you might stick your nose up in the air and keep walking. Cabaret should have stopped me dead in my tracks.

These days, the rose and patchouli combo seems a tad overdone, but back when this fragrance was first released, it was relatively new. Cabaret is perhaps not as intense as the more renowned patchouli and rose fragrances on the market, but I don't consider that a fault. I like that Cabaret sits closer to the skin.

The opening is fairly straight-forward. The rose accord is rich and oily, and the patchouli smells green and earthy. On the skin, Cabaret feels rather elegant and smooth, with the slightest hint of sensuality. Let me put it this way, this fragrance smells a lot more expensive than it actually is.

The heart and drydown are very similar to the top notes. Amber provides an element of syrupy warmth, while a touch of spicy musk and incense balances this fragrance out and adds extra depth.

Gres comes up with some really interesting scents. It's a pity that they aren't readily available or well-known. I have only positive things to say about this brand.

Despite Cabaret's subtle nature, this fragrance has great lasting strength. I would recommend it for wear during Autumn and Winter, and even on the occasional Spring day. I personally wear it often as a date fragrance as I feel it adds to the romantic mood.

Originally written: July 23, 2012.

06/16/2023

Stacia
135 Reviews

Stacia

Helpful Review 4

Ethereal rose chypre

Somewhat melancholy in feeling but still alive. Like a ghost. One thing I love about it is how long it lasts on my skin and how it gets stronger and more beautiful at the same time as it is dying away. I see that this has the poisonous nerium oleander listed as a note. Is that the elusive quality that makes me keep sniffing? I also see iris, violet, and lily of the valley are included. These flowers always conjure up the garden of my childhood home, another reason this fragrance is bittersweet to me. When at last it fades to the end, what remains is a smudge of burnt out rosewood incense, the way my parent's brass Buddha incense holder smelled when I lifted the tiny top off.

What makes me crave Cabaret is the way it seems so personal to me. It's as if someone read my diary and then crafted this perfume. Cabaret is a great name...it also reminds me of my theatre background. Fresh soft florals, mostly rose at the top, and the base is a very dry clay smell. It is cool and elegant with a transparent, almost dusty smell. I think of the atmosphere backstage at every show I have been involved in. Antique wood counters in the dressing room, waxy makeup and powder strewn across them. Vases and vases of roses and lilies. That musky smell of fresh sweat from dancers just coming off stage. When I put on Cabaret, I do get a tiny bit of that opening night excitement. It's so compelling it is almost too good to be worn.

09/13/2013

Omni
71 Reviews

Omni

2

Madonna of the Rose

It opens on a cloud of pollen particles mixed with acetone. Luca Turin reported that he smiled beatifically as that dispersed and Cabaret settled on his skin. That sets the scene. I call it my Madonna rose, notes of incense, patchouli and lily of the valley support the woody rose in a style of ecclesiastical refinement. Another reviewer made an acute observation comparing the scent of Cabaret to the inside of a piano. If we explore that further we would find wax, dust and balsa wood. I was reminded of my weekend job as a teenager, cleaning the old Regent Theatre (demolished in the 70s) that showcased a hydraulically operated stage, appearing with fortissimo piano from the bowels of the theatre. Just like the Paris Opera House, are we getting the picture? I was told by a decrepit old caretaker that during the 1920s there were shows with live seals. Gres perfumers may have sought out the influence in 'L'Air de Rien' of dust, velvet brocade and parchment but left out the animalic notes. No seals, thank goodness. Either way, Cabaret is living up to its name, and in a world where truth doesn't stand in the way of a good story Cabaret is straight and true, commanding respect. It is ethereal, exhibits longing; it remembers lust but isn't obsessed by it. Sillage is slight, projection mild. Be generous with application if it suits you.
You will find the Madonna of the rose at Museo del Prado in Madrid and Gres Cabaret at a killer price online. Sample bottles are available. Comparisons to 'Lovely' don't stack up to my nose. I would rate it more highly in experience value, as Luca Turin did with a 4 star.
Summary. True Rose scent, smoke and ashes momentarily. Updated: I amp up the roses sometimes by layering this with Serge Lutens Sa Majeste.

05/15/2025

7.5Scent 6Longevity 4Sillage

kittea
65 Reviews

kittea

3

Good excuse to use the word unctuous

I recently went through a bunch of Cabotine Eau de Toilette flankers, coming to the conclusion that none of them smelled like the original. My bottle of Cabaret comes in a similar ovoid shape to all those (shame, I would've liked the decanter-shaped one) and, despite not smelling a thing like Cabotine, feels as if it has a bit of a family resemblance. Let me explain why.

Both Cabotine and Cabaret do this thing of adding a seemingly deliberate synthetic note to their floral hearts. Cabaret looks like it should be a pretty standard woody-resinous rose, but it has this quality to it that's strangely oily, like greasy theatrical makeup under hot lights. It feels like campy performance art, like the rose is in drag. This Cabaret isn't Liza Minelli, it's Joel Grey. Absolutely none of that is an insult, I think it's fantastic, and makes the whole thing interesting to wear.

More reviews

Statements

7 short views on the fragrance

Amadea70

4 years ago

7

Theater, theater, the curtain rises: a powdery rose steps onto the stage, surrounded by a cloud of patchouli and incense.

Translated · Show original

Gold

5 years ago

6.5Scent 6Longevity 7Sillage

5

2

Strange rose between smoke and YSL's Elle, feels like a plastic flower, but a very, very decorative one. A bit annoying up close.

Translated · Show original

Minigolf

6 years ago

8Scent 8Longevity 7Sillage

4

Finesse, pride, humor, depth, a cool breeze on a warm day, warmth in winter, red roses, dark woods, fine incense.. Best cabaret..!

Translated · Show original

Seerose

8 years ago

4Scent 5Longevity 2.5Sillage

4

1

Purely synthetic: 1 hour of artificial wood, then a nice synthetic rose scent.
2. Hardly any patchouli, synthetic sandalwood completely overpowering: subtly nice rose.

Translated · Show original