Eau de Noblesse Rancé 1795 1822

It was 1822 when she first saw the light of the world.
The phantom of Napoleon had finally been banished and peace had returned to Europe.
The refined circles in which she moved, the upper bourgeoisie and the nobility up to the high nobility, could finally breathe again, and they preferred to do so in the spa towns and on the promenades. Delightful lace parasols protected the noble pallor of the elegant ladies who accompanied her summer after summer, strolling arm in arm with rich and powerful men through Karlsbad and Marienbad, later also through Bad Ems and Ischl. Duchesses and court ladies, empresses and queens, actresses and mistresses counted among her friends and close confidantes. That she was French was never held against her; they did not blame her for the Napoleonic Wars or the French Revolution, they tolerated her among them and welcomed her into their circles because she was neat, noble, and smelled good. Nobility was her name, and nobility radiated from her. But she was not heavy and powdery like many of her contemporaries, who presented roses, violets, and powder and nostalgically lingered in the past Rococo with its powdered wigs. No, she was fresh, zesty, lively, and buoyant, the scent of a new era, far ahead of her own time! The refined ladies appreciated it, and she was allowed to stand on many a noble dressing table and travel in many a fine suitcase to the most fashionable spa towns in the world. She was allowed to stroll along the promenades with the most beautiful ladies of her time, listen to the spa concerts, and accompany them as they languidly drifted on the arms of their husbands, who had just once again threatened someone with war while rattling their sabers.

And now, two hundred years later? She was still there, neither old nor tired. Yes, she had seen much in the last two hundred years. She had seen emperors and kings come and go, she had survived scandals and crises, she had witnessed the rise and fall of empires and endured war after war. The world, whose fragrant light she had first seen back then, was long gone. And many of her fragrant colleagues from that time had long since passed away. Which perfume has lasted two hundred years? Many young upstarts had appeared and were already history a few years later. Tastes change so quickly...

But she was still here! And even if it was hard to believe, she had not aged a day. She was as fresh as in 1822, as if not a day had passed. Her zesty grapefruit and gently soothing bergamot, with which she liked to greet people, were as fresh as on the first day, softly accompanied by a fresh, not at all old-fashioned rose. Then her rhubarb radiated as ever, calming and dark green, accompanied by the finest myrtle and only delicately enveloped by subtle iris and a tiny hint of coriander. She takes pride in the fact that every one of her noble scent notes is still distinctly recognizable. She always bids farewell charmingly with fine woody notes. Her rosewood is feminine, her cedarwood calming, and the vanilla holds back significantly. Musk accompanies this farewell reverence, but it is neither musty, nor dominant, nor masculine, but as gentle and noble as one would expect from a noble lady who first saw the light of a completely different world in 1822. Yet no one would guess her vintage. She is not only as fresh and young as ever, but her attire is timeless, even modern. She appears not a day older and not a hint more old-fashioned than her young colleagues who were created only in the 21st century. Old-fashioned nostalgia? Not her thing. She is grapefruit-fresh and rhubarb-zesty, yet remains gentle, noble, and elegant. While many of these young citrus upstarts of today seem to bounce around excessively, she would never hop or run. No, she strides! Although she wears jeans, sneakers, and a sweater like everyone else today, an invisible crown still rests on her head.

If one were to invite her today for a walk along a fashionable spa promenade, she would still say yes. But today she is also up for more ordinary activities. She would go jogging with you, travel on vacation, and stroll along the beach, even if you are wearing a raincoat, jeans, and a fleece jacket. She would ride out with you, go to the office, attend university or school. She would even accompany you to the supermarket or lounge around on the sofa with you. For gardening or walking, she is a wonderful, unobtrusive companion, and when you need to study or work on the computer, she clears your head, makes your sluggish thoughts bounce again, calms your grumpy mood, and unearths your buried optimism. Zest, freshness, and subtle elegance need not be a contradiction; that was her motto in 1822, and it still is today.

That a fragrance that is two hundred years old can be so timeless and modern is astonishing. Yes, “Eau de Noblesse” could also be a new release from 2022. It is amazing and beautiful that a fragrance can not only remain on the market for so long but can still correspond so well to our current tastes. And it is wonderful that I can spray on a fragrance that ladies were already wearing in 1822. One can hardly imagine where “Eau de Noblesse” has been, what “she” has “seen” and “experienced”!
Even after two hundred years, a noble companion for sporty as well as elegant ladies, for young and mature women, for fashionistas as well as for practical-minded individuals. And yes, “Eau de Noblesse” would accompany men today too, without blushing and without the need for a chaperone. She keeps up with the times and its changing morals. ;)
The perfect refreshment in summer, but also somehow lovely on a dreary winter day like today - a hidden gem and somehow far too much under the radar!

My heartfelt thanks go to Soraya, from whom I was able to win this beautiful fragrance! Thank you, you have brought me great joy with it.