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Sortilège Le Galion 2014

Version from 2014

7.6 / 10 97 Ratings

A popular perfume by Le Galion for women, released in 2014. The scent is floral-powdery. It is still in production.
Pronunciation Compare

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Main accords

Floral

Powdery

Chypre

Woody

Sweet

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Aldehydes

Lilac

Lily of the valley

Ylang-ylang

Heart Notes

Egyptian jasmine Iris

Iris

Narcissus

Turkish rose Mimosa

Mimosa

Base Notes

Labdanum

Musk

Vetiver

Amber

Indonesian sandalwood

Perfumer

Thomas Fontaine

Ratings

Scent

7.697 Ratings

Longevity

7.677 Ratings

Sillage

6.977 Ratings

Bottle

7.775 Ratings

Value for money

6.619 Ratings

Submitted by ExUser · last update on 07/04/2025.

Source-backed & verified

Reviews

4 in-depth fragrance descriptions

09/11/2022

Mlleghoul
478 Reviews

Mlleghoul

phantom dreams and memories

I initially saw this fragrance referenced in a strange story, in a weird collection of stories by Amparo Davila and as I hadn't heard of this scent I was dying to know whether it exists--and it does. Sortilège means "spell." and it does very much conjure enchantments across time and space. This is a scent originally created in 1937, so what I have, is, of course, a reformulation. I purchased directly from the Le Galion website, which reads "...the iconic fragrance of the house Le Galion and signature perfume of the famous Stork Jazz Club in New York." It's ethereal aldehydes, delicate velvety florals, and a subtle woody balsamic chypre base. It is a gentle but profoundly evocative scent that awakens phantom dreams and memories of past life loves and loss.

06/05/2021

7Scent 7Longevity 6Sillage

Kurai
388 Reviews

Kurai

Just right

The original Sortilège has quite a reputation. So yes we can all guess that 'this is just a ghost of the original version'. It has become a mantra that tends to obscure one's view on contemporary releases.

I have never come across the original and honestly, I don't need to. This is a modern formula, not intended to replicate or tweak its predecessor. I'm happy to enjoy this beauty without prejudice on what Sortilège should or should not be. In this case, ignorance is a bliss.

Sortilège opens with a beautiful lily-of-the-valley and a hefty dose of aldehydes. I'd swear I got a hint of fruit for a second, but it's gone before I can get a hold of it. The lily-of-the-valley becomes a fuller, more colorful bouquet. The aldehydes seem to never fade and keep the scent light and bright. A little soapy, powdery, but the focus is on florals and aldehydes.

As the scent progresses further it becomes clear that this is not a heavy sensual floral of the older generations. It lacks oakmoss and civet in the base. So it might feel like it's missing some depth. On the other hand, the whole composition is harmonious, refreshing. Light feels just right. Relatively safe, harmless, but not at all boring.

A floral aldehyde classic made with modern sophistication. Works well in spring/summer and in office settings.

Updated on 12/28/2021

11/17/2019

Therese
21 Reviews

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Therese

Helpful Review 6

Too Elegant to Be True

I greatly appreciate the compositions of Monsieur Fontaine, and Sortilege is indeed a wonderful fragrance, extremely soapy in the top note, balsamically old-fashioned floral in the heart note, rather chypre. The first encounter: Overwhelmed by this beauty. And worn every now and then. Enjoying the base note. But: I cannot wear this perfume permanently. The abstract, yet cool, aloof elegance is simply unappealing to me. Nevertheless: a truly wonderful perfume.

11/09/2014

8Scent 7.5Longevity 5Sillage

Turandot
843 Reviews

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Turandot

Top Review 37

Yes, but.......

Without the thought of rediscovering an old acquaintance from my youth, I find the scent to be very pleasant at first. Bright, a bit soapy, clean, elegant, this is how Sortilege presents itself to me today. Yes, I like that, I would love to wear it. This is a fragrance that can serve as a fine companion every day. The floral notes are harmonious and cool, almost reserved, and the base is smooth and fine until the very end. For years, I wished that a fragrance would appear in the mainstream that could appeal to fans of L`Air du Temps. Today's Sortilege would certainly fit that bill.

But - this scent has nothing in common with the old sensual-feminine and refined Sortilege from 1937. The current creators of the brand are reaching far out on a limb when they claim to have revived the original formulas. You can already tell this when comparing the pyramids, as today's Sortilege lacks not only the oak moss but also a hint of civet. Every perfumer knows that this has robbed the fragrance not only of depth and volume but also of refinement and sensuality.

Am I disappointed? Not really, as I didn't expect anything different. Many classic fragrances have already gone through this with us, and perhaps it is truly not possible to resurrect an old perfume according to today's guidelines. However, if the formula has only been adapted to the spirit of the times, then Sortilege has not been done any favors.

Since Sortilege is the only fragrance from Le Galion that I used to know well, I will now be able to evaluate the other perfumes from the house more impartially. I have now checked Sortilege off my list. The fragrance still receives 80% because I do like it, nostalgia aside.

Statements

18 short views on the fragrance

Licorice

3 years ago

6.5Scent

A cheerful group
of pretty flowers bathes in
neo-chypre mossy
super clean bubbly foam
fragrant, fine, powdery, neat *

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LeSentier

8 months ago

8Scent 7Longevity 8Sillage

Initially somewhat cool aldehydes, lily of the valley soap, gradually warmed by the base notes. Great craftsmanship!

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Kajsa5

2 years ago

8.5Scent 8Longevity 8Sillage

a nostalgic yet modern scent, reminiscent of Chanel No 5 and No 22, but here it’s finer, creamier. The aldehydes...

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FragFreak666

2 years ago

8Scent 8Longevity 8Sillage

Well-groomed lady, so charming,
I've succumbed to the floral charm;
spicy and resinous,
so classic and utterly enchanting!

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Rieke2021

2 years ago

7.5Scent 7Longevity 7Sillage

Aldehydic, lushly floral, soapy. In a woody musk base. Like a vintage floral chypre missing oakmoss + catkins. Cool elegance.

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Katt007

8 years ago

8.5Scent 10Longevity 9Sillage

Elegant, unsweet, soapy floral scent with character - Very old school and sophisticated.

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SebastianM

3 years ago

8Scent 8Longevity 8Sillage

Classic, elegant, floral-soapy, but not seductive. A lovely scent on its own, I wish I had a grandma who smelled like this.

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Sweetsmell75

9 years ago

6Scent 8Longevity 7Sillage

This "magic" is overwhelmed by lily of the valley... Murderous lily of the valley! More animalistic than powdery floral scent. Base gets nicer :)

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Lilienfeld

9 years ago

7Scent 8Longevity 7Sillage

The base is wonderful, but the journey there isn't easy :) Aldehyde - lily of the valley - overdose
totally screams - soapy on top. I find the 2014 scent more laid-back than the 2015 Elixir, which is very vintage...

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