Pur Désir de Pivoine Yves Rocher 2007 Eau de Toilette

Here it stands before me, slender, elegantly curved, in a frosted pink 60-ml bottle. I didn't even know I still owned it. But when I rediscovered the rather beautiful bottle today, the memory of the scent was instantly present, as if all those years in which I had forgotten Pur Désir de Pivoine EdT had not existed.

Pur Désir de Pivoine means something like "pure desire for peonies," if my somewhat dusty French isn't misleading me. "de" means "of," but that makes little sense - at least in German.

That it had come to the point where I had erased the perfume from my memory is no coincidence. My taste in fragrances has evolved. Sweet and floral have become increasingly boring to me over time. Although - among floral scents, I particularly appreciate peony, the peony, of course. However, I must add that I only like the synthetic version. With real peonies, as beautiful as they are to look at, I haven't had any special experiences in terms of scent. But similar to orchids, which - except perhaps for vanilla - do not have a scent, I know exactly what fragrance to expect when peony or orchid is mentioned in the notes of a perfume.

This synthetic peony scent, which I believe surpasses the natural one in pleasantness, is for me the epitome of a romantic, possibly nostalgic floral fragrance. It evokes thoughts of secret, old gardens, of dreamy girls in long, white dresses. For me, peony is a typical spring scent: light, sweet, floral of course, tender, and indeed romantic. In recent years, I haven't felt like smelling like that. But today, having rediscovered this beautiful bottle, I am tempted to spray the scent.

The first impression is sweet. And floral. Yes, that is the peony as I know it: lovely, delicate, soft - but also somewhat green. A freshness quickly develops, which pleasantly cools the floral scent. At least for a while. Too soon, however, the scent is just as it is. It remains that way without undergoing any development. And how is it? I would say it sits somewhere between violet, lily of the valley, lilac, and lily - or a mix of all. Peony, indeed. Lovely, sweet, floral - no more and no less. Pleasing, but a bit too little. Too one-dimensional. Therefore, I can't think of much else to write about it.

Yes, the longevity - it is truly surprisingly long. The scent can withstand almost anything, even surviving hand washing and many hours. On textiles, it is perceptible for days. Of course, only up close, but not at all intrusive. Many large, expensive fragrances could learn something from Yves Rocher.

I can easily imagine this scent on very young girls, perhaps as an introduction to the world of fragrances. But what am I saying? The EdT is no longer available. The "Pur Désir de" series, which also included lily and mimosa, rose, gardenia, and lavender, as I recall, was discontinued some time ago. The pleasant peony scent will surely continue to exist in the world of fragrances. Although I notice that I haven't come across a perfume in a long time where peony played a role. Romantic floral scents seem to have fallen out of fashion - just like "Pur Désir de Pivoine."