Jardins d’Armide by Oriza Legrand

Hi there Posse, Jardins d’Armide is one of my happy memory scents. Way back in 2014 my perfume buddy Michael and I were in Paris. It was the last stop on our European vacation. We met up with perfumers, shops and buddies in a few countries on our way to the jewel in the crown of Europe, the city of light. Once in Paris we had a long list of perfume stops scheduled. It was so much fun showing Michael one of my favourite cities. We hit Serge Lutens and Parfums Rosine Palais Royale stores, Galleries Lafayette, Printemps, L’Artisan, MFK, CHANEL, DIOR beauty, Jovoy, IUNX and many more that have slipped my memory. It was amazing fun for both of us.

The one house that I had been in touch with, written about and got super excited to meet the owners was Oriza Legrand. A brand new, in 2013 perfume house, resurrected from an historic brand that had gone dark for decades. Hugo and Franck were so welcoming when we visited their unbelievably charming shop. We tried EVERYTHING. We bought soaps and perfumes (yes, I got Jardins d’Armide), sample sets as gifts (all packed up and sent to Australia for FREE) and had a brilliant time. I’ve written about this fragrance elsewhere. Lately I’ve worn it a few times and I wanted to remind you all how gorgeous it is. Scott and I revisited Oriza Legrand in 2018.

Jardins d’Armide by Oriza Legrand 1909 and 2013

Jardins d'Armide by Oriza Legrand

 

Parfumo gives these featured accords:
Top: Rose, Orange blossom, Iris
Heart: Iris, Violet, Wisteria, Tagetes
Base: Honey, Almond, Tonka bean, Musk

Just so you know, this is my second Jardins d’Armide bottle. Somewhere along the line the original bottle disappeared so I bought this one from a friends Sale Doc on FB. The original bottle had a much larger label. Juice is the same as far as I can tell.

So how does Jardins d’Armide smell? Violets and iris are my first impression, rich and thick with a sprinkling of sugar. If you remember the way PEZ used to smell? Kind of like that. They are soon joined by marigolds, or a marigold fantasy, and oodles of light, fluffy powder. Reminiscent of the powder we used to get doused in after our bath as kids. I loved it, suddenly I was soft and fragrant and beautiful. It is the heart where I start to notice a dark red rose too, very Mr Lincoln (a rose my Mum had in the garden).

You know, I never noticed the almonds or the honey but now that I’ve read them in the notes list I can see that they are included. They don’t play a prominent part in my experience though. The sweet, resinous nuttiness I smell is how tonka smells for me and add in clean musks and still more powdery goodness and dry down is complete.

Extremely long lasting but the projection is low after a couple of hours. Skewing traditional feminine but wears great on me and I think it could suit anyone really. A bit too interesting and unusual for a thoughtless spritz and go, I often am overwhelmed by how beautiful Jardins d’Armide is. It can happily derail my line of thought anytime.

Have you tried any of the Oriza Legrand fragrances?
Portia xx

  • Maggiecat says:

    I fantasize about going to Paris with other perfume people! Actually, I fantasize about Paris, usually. This sounds like a house I need to try!

  • NancyC says:

    I’ve never tried anything from the line, but you inspired me to dig around in my sample stash, Portia! I have three to try: Chypre Mousse, Vetiver Royal Bourbon and Deja Le Printemps. Woohoo, thanks for the nudge!

    • Portia says:

      Hi there NancyC,
      OOOOOHHH! Chypre Mousse was the one that set the blogging community afire when it was released and I love Deja Le Printemps.
      The other one I have no memory of ever trying, can’t wait to hear what you think.
      Portia xx

  • Musette says:

    I have not tried any of the line but love the description of your fun time in Paris – oh, how I miss Paris!
    I also love how you describe it as NOT a ‘spritz and go’ scent – Patty and I have discussed Lyric thusly – I cannot casually wear Lyric, as it has a habit of distracting me with its beauty. Glad to know there are others like her, wafting about, seducing the unwary…

    xoxoxo

    • Portia says:

      Musette,
      I have been bummed about not going to Paris this year. The memories though, they keep popping up on FB and the perfumes I own that were bought there transport me back so quickly. So maybe I won’t see the City of Light in 2020 but remembering has been almost as good.
      HA! Yeah, there are a few perfumes that need to be worn judiciously. Amouage Gold Man, Neela Vermeire Trayee and Ashoka, DIOR Mitzah and Leather Oud, YSL Velours and Gras Cabochard extrait pop to mind immediately.
      What a great idea for a post!
      Portia xx

  • Kathleen says:

    I’ve never sampled any of the Oriza Legrand fragrances; however, they have been on my radar after reading reviews including yours, as they sound like my kind of perfume. I envy your time spend at their shop in Paris, I would be in heaven! I would blind buy Jardins d’Armide after reading your description. xx

    • Portia says:

      Hey Kathleen,
      The Oriza guys do a really affordable sample set. They are 1.5ml sprays, I think. Well worth the cost to have a good look at their stuff.
      Portia xx

  • Tara C says:

    Love the notes & description! The only Oriza I own is Rêve d’Ossian, which I only wear to bed because the longevity is so poor. Now I really want to try Jardins.

    • Portia says:

      So interesting you find Rêve d’Ossian short lived TaraC,
      It seems to last forever on me. To the point where I want to put something else on but it’s still heaving out great gouts of itself.
      I wonder if anyone else has longevity issues with it?
      Portia xx

  • Jo Ann says:

    Hi Portia, love, love, love your writing. This Oriya sounds soooo me. Your description makes me want to bathe in it. xx

    • Portia says:

      Thank you Jo Ann,
      What a lovely thing to write. Day made!
      Bathing in Jardins d’Aride is definitely an option. A few extra spritzes and you are nuclear.
      Portia xx