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Joséphine Rancé 1795

7.6 / 10 133 Ratings

A popular perfume by Rancé 1795 for women. The release year is unknown. The scent is floral-powdery. It is still in production.
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Main accords

Floral

Powdery

Sweet

Spicy

Woody

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Hyacinth

Hawthorn

May rose

Peony

Ylang-ylang Jasmine

Jasmine

Lilac

Bergamot

Heart Notes

Galbanum

Peach

Clove

Geranium

Blackcurrant

Violet leaf Iris

Iris

Base Notes

Sandalwood Ebony

Ebony

White musk

Ambergris

Bourbon vanilla

Perfumer

Francois Rancé

Ratings

Scent

7.6133 Ratings

Longevity

7.4109 Ratings

Sillage

6.3102 Ratings

Bottle

8.3105 Ratings

Value for money

7.334 Ratings

Submitted by Kankuro, last update on 11/02/2025.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to

Body Eau de Parfum

White

Arrogance pour Elle

Flora Bella

Irissime

Nivea (2011)

Reviews

9 in-depth fragrance descriptions

10/22/2012

6Scent 7.5Longevity 7.5Sillage

Sherapop
1240 Reviews

Sherapop

Historic Precedent to Flora Bella?

Is this supposed to be a reconstructed formula from two centuries ago? Well, in some ways, Rancé 1795 JOSEPHINE seems very similar to Lalique FLORA BELLA, which was also coincidentally launched in 2005. I find the Rancé somewhat fruitier and tarter, although it is still not very sweet. There is definitely a similar texture to the eccentric floral bouquet here, and I imagine that this composition could be more appealing to those who find the Lalique too floral. I myself find JOSEPHINE a bit sour around the edges, so it may not be working well on my skin.

The somewhat woody drydown of JOSEPHINE harks back again to Donna Karan GOLD (which I consider to be a close neighbor in some ways to FLORA BELLA), with an ever-so-slight feeling of pencil shavings lying underneath everything at the bottom. The overall composition is quite complex, and for that reason it is bound to play out very differently to different noses, given variable sensitivities to all of the various components present. There is an interesting array of flowers here, including hawthorne, and together they produce a sort of emergent floral note which doesn't really smell specifically like any of its constituent parts.

Definitely worth a sniff, but also a try before you buy.

03/09/2025

9Scent 7Longevity 6Sillage

Pollita
383 Reviews

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Pollita

Top Review 45

Joséphine and Polly

I slowly believe I am truly discovering a preference for spicy fragrances. For a long time, I thought I liked gourmand scents. Far from it. Because even the sweetest fragrances that I have owned and loved for years have a small and fine spicy edge that makes all the difference. This is the case with Confetto from Profumum Roma, with my evergreen Cašmir, or also with JPG Classique. But one with galbanum, there hasn't been one until now. But then it came: Joséphine.

I spray all the fragrances I receive for testing (especially due to Ambrocenide and other horrors) first into the air and onto cotton. If nothing dreadful is discernible here, then a test fragrance is allowed on the skin. And with Madame Joséphine, this happened very quickly, because the beauty smelled so heavenly in the air that I didn't hesitate long. There were fine, bittersweet, floral-soft powder clouds. But not the heavy, overdone kind, rather something very delicate, fleeting. Something I want to embrace and cherish. Cozy soft chicken feathers? Oh yes, this scent is that gentle. And yet, it is not too sweet, because the galbanum, just like the clove and the rose geranium, provides a pleasant edge.

I have read several times about chypre accords here. I wouldn't go that far, because at the latest after the heart and definitely from the base note, this is an inviting, very friendly fragrance. This unattainable quality, like a Cabochard or a Bandit, Joséphine never radiates. Nevertheless, the empress remains a perfume with all the lilac, ylang-ylang, and jasmine, and despite the vanilla and musk, it does not become truly sweet even in the base. A really beautiful sandalwood note also ensures this, which is as far removed from the modern, for me mostly unpleasant synthetic woods as possible.

It's a little fragrance dream that wears absolutely wonderfully. And I have ordered her, Joséphine.

A heartfelt thank you goes to the lovely Petra66 for the testing opportunity.

11/14/2019

9Scent 7Longevity 5Sillage

Gelis
328 Reviews

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Gelis

Top Review 20

Well Captured

Rancé's "Joséphine" is coquettish, radiant, and charming. Here, the character of the historical Joséphine de Beauharnais, Empress of France and beloved first wife of Napoleon I, seems to be excellently captured, as described in history books and novels. The historical empress's penchant for extravagance is absent; the sillage of the fragrance is rather in the medium-low range for me.

What amazes me the most, however, is that the floral notes of lilac, hyacinth, and hawthorn, which I do not typically enjoy in fragrances, are so well "tamed" by the other notes that I wear "Joséphine" with enthusiasm.

I cannot dissect the fragrance into its individual components. "Joséphine" is for me a spring-fresh, slightly sparkling scent, leaning a bit towards the clean side, with a hint of cream that lifts my spirits. Only when I take a deep breath over the sprayed area do I faintly perceive the iris root with its characteristic sweet wood note for me.

Regards + thanks to Süchtig.

12/24/2017

7Scent 7Longevity 6Sillage

Versailles
21 Reviews

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Versailles

Top Review 23

Dedicated to the Incomparable

"[...] Your mood was a sacred law for me. To be able to see you was my greatest happiness [...] I worshipped everything about you; had you been more naive and younger, I would have loved you less...". Which woman wouldn't want to hear such words? Surprisingly, these lines do not come from the pen of a lovesick poet, but from one of the greatest strategists and military leaders of all time: Napoléon Bonaparte. They are dedicated to his first wife, the "incomparable Joséphine" (1763 - 1814). However, connoisseurs know that Napoléon and Joséphine were anything but the perfect love couple... Simply put, this marriage was an arrangement: Joséphine had social contacts at the time of their marriage and knew how to win people over with her charming nature, while Napoléon offered the six years older widow and her two children security. Although the marriage experienced many crises (In short: She had cheated on him at the beginning of their marriage, he took revenge by regularly cheating on her with extramarital affairs, which she in turn compensated for by buying luxury fashion, driving him up and down the wall. Ultimately, the marriage failed because Joséphine could no longer bear a son.) Napoléon had his Joséphine crowned empress in Paris on December 4, 1804, and commissioned this perfume for his wife on that occasion at Rancé.

Scent:
The fragrance opens with a whole bouquet of flowers including roses, jasmine, hyacinth, lilac, bergamot, and geranium. The lilac especially gives my "Josephine" a cool and aloof note. Even the peony cannot make her any happier or more playful, but rather leaves me with a melancholic impression. I find her interesting, I try to approach "Joséphine" cautiously, yet she remains cool and reserved towards me. The blackcurrants in the heart notes add a slightly tart scent alongside the bitter notes, which is only minimally perceptible. The sweet notes take a back seat at the beginning, and I hardly notice them at all. I perceive the scent at the outset as intense, floral, zesty, herbal, and slightly bitter. It is not an artificially synthetic fragrance, but on the contrary, one of the most natural perfumes I have ever smelled! "Josephine" merges effortlessly with my skin.
In the heart notes, the violet leaf is distinctly noticeable. The violet had a special significance for Joséphine, as her wedding dress was embroidered with violets, and Napoléon sent her a fresh bouquet of violets every wedding anniversary. The violet reinforces the first impression and fits well with the melancholic-bitter notes. Over time, "Josephine" becomes gentler, softer, and more open. Vanilla, amber, sandalwood, and ebony in the base make it creamy, sweet, and powdery. The fragrance is, however, never a gourmand. "Josephine" is a spring scent... I think of how one strolls through a lavishly designed palace garden on a cool, slightly foggy spring morning. The plants are still green, and their flowers are closed. Slowly, the first rays of sunshine break through, the air becomes milder, and the flowers begin to prepare to bloom in all their splendor...

I found the story of Napoléon and Joséphine incredibly fascinating as a child and teenager, so much so that I not only devoured countless biographies about the two, but also had to have this perfume... "Joséphine" thus became my very first personal perfume and my entry into the passion for collecting.
Despite numerous crises in the marriage, the fate of Napoléon and Joséphine remained mysteriously intertwined. After the divorce from Joséphine, Napoléon's star also began to slowly but inexorably decline. Joséphine was not only a wife during the marriage but also a "diplomat" who knew how to mediate where Napoléon's patience had long run out. "Without Josephine, there is no complete Napoleon," summed up Joséphine biographer Francoise Wagener aptly.

05/28/2019

8Scent 8Longevity 6Sillage

Serenissima
1219 Reviews

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Serenissima

Top Review 18

the sensual empress

Thus the house Rancé, famously founded in 1795, titles its brief fragrance description of the Eau de Parfum "Joséphine".

She must have been an outstanding woman in her time, this Joséphine, born in Martinique under the resounding name Marie Josephe Rose de Tascher de Pagerie.
Her first marriage to Alexandre Vicomte de Beauharnais, from which her two children emerged, was actually doomed from the start: Joséphine was only "second choice"; de Beauharnais actually wanted/was supposed to marry Joséphine's sister; however, she died before the wedding.
Always free to the motto: "It stays in the family," the next sister was next in line.
The couple separated after several rather turbulent years of marriage, and although de Beauharnais generously supported Joséphine, she repeatedly found herself in debt.
From the French Revolution, this refined woman, although narrowly escaping the guillotine, was able to benefit: a narrow red ribbon adorned her neck; where it was not severed by the blade.
She became the attraction of the Parisian salons and, after the death of her husband, was fortunate to be taken "under the wing" of the wealthy Paul de Barras; she could spend his money generously!
It was also this Paul de Barras who advised her to marry General Napoleon Buonaparte.
Much to the dismay of his childhood sweetheart Desirée Clary, the daughter of a silk merchant from Marseille. The "Citizen General" Buonaparte and his brother frequented her parents' house; even if only at first for a warm meal and a few glasses of wine.
This love of Desirée's is described by Annemarie Selinko in the eponymous novel, which was adapted into a film in 1954 starring Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons. (By the way, a truly delightful story.)
But against this dashing Creole, who had turned the young Corsican's head, a mere silk merchant's daughter could not compete.
Whether she accepted the proposal of Marshal Jean Babtiste Bernadotte out of pure spite will never be clarified. In any case, the Bernadotte couple later moved to Sweden to establish the still-existing ruling dynasty there.
This shows that for Desirée, the "second choice" in this case was the first: as Queen of Sweden, she outlasted her rival for the affections of the "little Corsican".

Joséphine, on the other hand, enjoyed being an empress; she basked in her husband's adoration and in the general attention.
Only his wish for her to bear him an heir she could not fulfill. Thus, although still loved, she was "shunted off" to Malmaison and laid out her legendary rose garden there.
Her successor as empress, the Austrian archduchess Marie-Louise ("She looked like a sausage - like a pink sausage," we can read in Annemarie Selinko), bore Napoleon the longed-for heir to the throne and returned to her parental home after the emperor's fall; from where she, remarried, accompanied her husband to Italy.
The imperial heir Napoleon Franz Karl (Napoleon II./Duke of Reichstadt) lived a torn life and caused much unrest at the Viennese court before he died at only 21 years old.

Thus, Rancé's fragrance "Joséphine" holds for me a slightly sprawling story; yet it does not diminish this enchanting fragrance experience; it is delightful!
This noble essence opens with a rich accord of May rose, hawthorn, and jasmine, a beautiful peony, and is enveloped by hyacinth and radiant ylang-ylang - pure femininity!
This bright delicacy is complemented by a spicy-fruity heart note. Galbanum and clove are unmistakably present, geranium opens the way to the robust aromatic black currant and a ripe, very juicy peach - what a wonderful gift of fragrance!
Black ebony and white musk: if we imagine the red ribbon around Joséphine's slender neck, then the question arises here: "Snow White, where is your bed?"
A heavy, creamy vanilla trail leads to the always somewhat scratchy sandalwood; these two aromas like each other! That is why they adapt so well to many fragrance compositions.
Crowning this imperial fragrance pyramid is ambra gold in its finest form.
An elegant fragrance gown with a matching train now envelops the wearer.

All senses are addressed here, not just one's own.
With "Joséphine," the company Rancé pays homage not only to the former French empress; it pays homage to every woman.
For every woman deserves to feel like an empress and to be flattered and loved accordingly.
In the company of "Joséphine," she can enjoy this feeling for a few hours; this fragrance beauty is not necessarily long-lasting, as it is too capricious!
But what prevents us from renewing this entertaining acquaintance again and again with a quick spray?

This is the second fragrance from Rancé's "Collection Imperiale" that I had the pleasure of testing.
Even "Pauline," named after one of Joséphine's sisters-in-law, brought me much joy.
Both ladies feel exceptionally good and are excellent companions for a beautiful day.
For a "girls' night," which does not take place at the grill with beer, both are perfect; at a "first little acquaintance," it may even be that the "Rancé ladies" present a competition: they enchant their entire surroundings.

I have encountered a woman of stature, who still attracts attention today, and have fallen for her charm.
I will surely adorn myself with her charm for some time: "the empress's new clothes."
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for the generous sample.

More reviews

Statements

25 short views on the fragrance

FrauKirsche

10 months ago

7Scent 8Longevity 7Sillage

Blossom cream on
alabaster skin
pastel lilac shimmering
powdery geraniums
Johannis herb
fruit dew on
vanilla musk...

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SchatzSucher

9 months ago

7Scent 8Longevity 7Sillage

Floral, soapy, powdery, and creamy here. Flowers and fruits on a bit of wood with a classic touch. Unfortunately, overall a bit...

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Ergoproxy

6 months ago

7.5Scent 7Longevity 6Sillage

Here you get a more classic scent. A wealth of flowers, shifting between soapy, powdery, and creamy. Galbanum and...

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Petra66

3 years ago

9Scent 8Longevity 6Sillage

First impression: a beautiful harmonious floral bouquet, no note stands out. Present, but not overwhelming, not sweet, elegant, classic.

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Rieke2021

2 years ago

8.5Scent 7Longevity 6Sillage

Tame white flowers, velvety peach + powdery iris are the stars. Joséphine likes it light, soft, harmonious + romantic with retro vibes.

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CharlAmbre

3 years ago

8Scent 6Longevity 6Sillage

It feels like a pressed flower bouquet, with a matte pastel composition of dry, gentle fruits. Elegantly old-fashioned.

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Paloma58

7 months ago

6.5Scent 7Longevity 6Sillage

Beautifully woven blossoms, clove adds a kick, iris gives a powdery touch, deep wood/vanilla base. Only the peach bothers me.

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Heikeso

8 years ago

7.5Scent 7Longevity 6Sillage

A sea of flowers with a soft focus. Cream pot and powder puff in soft nude. Well-groomed and very feminine.

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Elisa1000

4 months ago

9.5Scent 9Longevity

A beautiful melody of delicate powdery flowers from an ornate music box. It feels lovely, innocent, pink, pure, and harmonious. A healed world in good.

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Ttfortwo

6 years ago

8Scent 8Longevity 5Sillage

Delicate floral scent, transparent and friendly. Very classically composed and therefore exceptionally timeless.

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Guusje 13 years ago

Perfumes & Brands

Rance

I liked Rance well enough but I'm not quite sure what I would add to my collection. I like fragrances to jump out at me. Nothing of what I've sampled was a must have.

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