Cerisier en Fleurs is one of the latest releases from "The Naturals" line of fragrances from Fragonard. The Naturals are very reasonably priced in France at €18 for a 100 ml bottle, but shipping to the United States basically doubles the price. When Fragonard recently ran a €10 shipping special, I disregarded (again!) my own never-buy-unsniffed rule to split a bottle of Cerisier en Fleurs with a friend.
The notes for Cerisier en Fleurs are cherry blossom, cherry, orange blossom, iris, and musk. It starts out as a sparkling blend of cherry and white flowers with a touch of light citrus. It dries down to a lightly powdery floral with hints of fruit and a smooth white musk base with possibly some sandalwood. It is very delicate, almost demure, and has a fresh, spring-like feel.
Cerisier en Fleurs is a pretty fragrance, and I have tested it several times now in the hopes that it would grow on me, but it isn't happening. It simply isn't me. I should mention that I have shared samples of this with several people, all of whom like it considerably more than I do. Reminder to self: don't buy unsniffed. Ever. Of course, included in the order was a sample of their new Fleur d'Oranger, which based on a quick sniff will probably turn out to be the fragrance that I should have ordered. (Update: as it turned out, I didn't love that one either)
The Fragonard Naturals fragrances are all Eaux de Toilette, and come packaged in refillable 100 and 200 ml glass bottles. There is also a 600 ml aluminum refill bottle, which is very economical at €45.
For buying information, see the listing for Fragonard under Perfume Houses.
I really enjoyed the bath line when I had a chance to purchase it on my travels in Europe. For some reason, Fragonard fragrances struck me as rather synthetic and harsh. Of course, they are nice daytime fragrances that do not make pretenses of being Guerlains, but I still cannot get over the chemical note I smell in all of them.
Now, I am very curious to sample the fragrance Luca Turin created for them! I bet it is interesting. Their museum near Opera Garnier in Paris has it, however the last time I was in Paris I did not have time to stop by.
Agree that Fragonard is not Guerlain, but in pricing & style, the Naturals are closer to the Aqua Allegoria line, and some of them, like Garrigues, I think are nicer than anything from the AA line.
Didn't Turin do a whole line for them? Can't remember which it was though. Something Absolu?
Hi R!
Everytime I buy without testing and they include a sample….I always end up liking the sample better than what I ordered….!
Fragonard's shipping to the States is expensive but the service is excellent. I got some Santal and Suivez Moi from the men's range. The aluminum atomizer bottles are too cool.
I understand that Luca Turin helped with a couple of scents from the Elixer range, Absolu being one of them and I'm not sure of the other(s).
Regards, Eric
Yes, I vastly prefer Fragonard to the AA line (other than Ylang et Vanille, I find it rather dull and do not even feel the need to sample the latest creations). I just wish we were able to obtain them at their French prices (adjusted for weak dollar, while we are at it :), because they are just too expensive for what they are when you order from their website. This high fee must be a recent development, because I purchased a whole set 2 years ago and the fee was rather low.
Yes, Turin did Absolu line for them. I believe it had 3 fragrances in it, however it is discontinued already. When I asked about it at the store, the SA said that I am mistaken, there is no such thing. I insisted and she replied that she knows her merchandise really well. Then her manager passed by and noted that yes, there indeed was Absolu line, however it is only available at the museum. Next time I must make a trip, or else we should Neela to investigate it for us. 🙂
V, Yes, shipping from all the European vendors seems sky high lately. Don't know why. The shipping from Fragonard is more reasonable if you are ordering several bottles, but I'm hoping they'll continue to run specials from time to time. 10 euros is not too bad.
Hi Eric, Agree that the service is excellent, and they always include lots of freebies & samples. Last time I got a whole bathroom set with a soap dish, cup, and bath beads.
Please tell more about Santal & Suivez Moi, are they nice?
Oh, you not liking this one, has intirgued me even more. We tend to run opposite on soft and powdery, I'll thinking I might have to check this one out.
:O)
VictoriaO
It's funny, but I never really thought too much about Fragonard until you sent me a sample of this lovely fragrance. I tested it on my wrist figuring that I would not like it, and was shocked to discover how much I do! LOL!
That said, I'm still not too interested in testing more fragrances from the line. I tested Soleil a few years back, and thought it smelled like hair styling gel. :(:(
It is good to have an evil fragrance twin so you can test everything they don't like, LOL!
I am so glad you like it R! Have not yet tried Soleil but hair styling gel is not too tempting 😉
Hello R! Fragonard is not a house where I have found anything I love – been to their factories and museum in Grasse and Paris several times and that is worth a trip or two. I think the problem is that none of them last on me, they seem more perfumey and I know I sound like a real snob here – they lack quality. You and your readers may hate me for this but I am being honest here.
xoxo
Hi N! How can I hate you for being a perfume snob, LOL? That would be the pot calling the kettle black. But I do like some of the Fragonards 🙂
Thank you for NOT hating me! ;D Well – seriously – you are lucky! I have tried most and over the years each time I go to Grasse I pop by Fragonard and find gifts to buy (plenty) but nothing for me. I tried Cerisier but it did not stir much emotion in me.
🙂
How can you be hating, dear N? I understand what you mean, because that is exactly the same reaction I have smelling most Fragonards. However, Farran (hirondelle) wears some of them, and they smell simply wonderful on her. I do like their bath line though. Oh well, as I say, better for my wallet that I do not like yet another thing 🙂
Oops, meant “hated”.
I didn't like CeF, but still love my Belle de Nuit and Arielle. 🙂
And I have not smelled either of those! Am planning a trip to Takashimaya soon and am hoping to try more of the line.
for Chicago girls: I have seen Fragonard scents at Merz Apothecary inside Marshall Fields. I don't know if they have this one, but I will check for it and also the Garrigues
I hear that is a wonderful store! If you find them, let me know how much they are. At Takashimaya, I think a 200 ml bottle of the Naturals is around $100. That seems awfully high, so I'll have to check and see if my memory is off.