D’ORSAY
Eau De Cologne / Etiquette Bleue

1830

PERFUMER
Alfred D’Orsay

Lemon
Rosemary
Bergamot
Orange

Orange Blossom
Opoponax
Myrrh
rosewood

Sandalwood
Vanilla
Amber

It was first released in 1830 Etiquette Bleue / Eau De Cologne (1830). It was reformulated in 1993 Etiquette Bleue EDT (1993). It was reformulated by Florent Leblanc in 2008 Etiquette Bleue Cologne Double Extrait (2008). According to Wikipedia this same fragrance is also L’Eau de Bouquet (1908)

‘Famous throughout the world for its aromatic and hygienic qualities, it has never been imitated’ – D’Orsay

Wow. I was very happy with the state of the vintage D’Orsay bottles that I purchased in 2023, but Eau De Cologne / Etiquette Bleue is the one where I probably smell the most lively, bright and fruity top notes that I’ve encountered in my vintage journey so far.

Despite surely being a rather old bottle (here’s a photo), it has kept a impressive amount of brightness and acidity.

Maybe I’m swayed by the ‘hygienic qualities’ mentioned by the brand, but frankly, it does have some ‘cleaning product’ citrus vibes going on. Not in an altogether unpleasant manner though.

This wears quite fruity and fresh. Like a fruit ice cream. Sharp orange and lemon, but perhaps with a sweeter twist, like mango. Either way, it smells ‘orange’ in color, with the aromatic and floral nuances mostly present when smelling the skin up close.

You definitely get the sweetness from the basenotes permeating throughout. It’s really more like a citrus candy, ice cream, popsicle, rather than any actual fruits. A fun fragrance. I prefer the opening of my vintage Fantastique PDT by D’Orsay, but as an overall wearing experience and surprise factor, Eau De Cologne / Etiquette Bleue is hard to beat. Again, smelling perhaps a tad like a cleaning product, but also smelling remarkably modern for what it is.