L'Artisan Parfumer - La Chasse Aux Papillons

Just like Courtesan, L'Artisan´s La Chasse Aux Papillons is a scent that I´ve mentioned on the blog, without giving it a proper review. And agaian, it isn´t because I don´t like it. No, absolutly not, since I LOOOOOVE La Chasse Aux Papillons as much as I love Swedish summer.


But as the case with Swedish summer, La Chasse Aux Papillons isn´t at all long lasting. But, while it last, it´s a very, very pleasant fragrance.


I have tried several scents that reminds of La Chasse Aux Papillons, M.Micallef´s Pomelos has the tartness and the note of lipstick in common. Frapin´s Esprit de Fleur is also a close relative, a little more citrus and maybe not as charming, but on the other hand with better lasting power. Another scent that I plan to write about soon (I won´t tell you which yet) also have similarities. The one´s I´m mention aren´t THAT similar to each other, but close enough, the possibility is that you´ll like all of them if you like one of them.


Despite poor lasting power, La Chasse Aux Papillons seem to be the ideal scent of them all, the one closest to perfect summer in bottle. Oh, how I wish it would have better staying power. But, wonderful is usually short lived (between half an hour - one hour on me). :(


La Chasse Aux Papillons makes me think about the perfect summer idyll. Maybe at a time when cars, tractors and boat engines wasn´t around yet. As a Swedish it makes me think about Astrid Lindgrens story about a bunch of kids in Bullerbyn (sorry I can´t find any english name for that story!, maybe some of my readers now what it´s called in English?) with happy kids in summer meadows wearing summery dresses and shorts. I can also see (and hear the signature tune) the vignette to "THe Little House on the Prairie) with pretty Laura Ingalls rushing down the hill with her sisters after. Fluttering sun bleached hair and floral printed dresses.


If soft colored butterflies had any scent, I´m sure they would smell like La Chasse Aux Papillons. And no one can imagine butterflies to have a lasting scent, huh?


La Chasse Aux Papillons is both summery and girly. Still I think I can wear it (and other scents alike) without any problem. It is more like to have a little part of carefree childhood summer memories then to making one self more childish. I know my mother would love this scent, as well as my 13-year old daughter wears it very pretty.


And how does it smell? Well, the opening is all about tart yet sioft citrus and flowers and a very discrete note of creamy lipstick. In the middle it isn´t as tart, instead it become more floral, the most softest and creamiest flowers you can imagine, on me the jasmine is dominant, but I can also smell little whiffs of linden blossom and rose. La Chasse Aux Papillons isn´t at all powdery (on me) and not a trace of any erotic floral notes what so ever. Most of all La Chasse Aux Papillons is a happy, uncomplicated and yet, so wonderful. Unfortunatly, it just wears of when it is at it´s best. In one moment I can still smell the wonderful scent, and then in the next moment it´s gone. Leaving behind only the faintest memories of a perfect summer in the land of my childhood...



Pic: Little house on the Prairie