VOYAGES IMAGINAIRES
La Couleur de la Nuit

2020

PERFUMER
Isabelle Doyen
Camille Goutal

LAVENDER
BERGAMOT

ROSE
GERANIUM

VANILLA
balsam fir
PATCHOULI

‘Enigmatic lights in the alleyways, diffuse shadows of red lanterns reflected on damp and sparkling sidewalks. An exhilarating night walk in the dampness of an Asian night. Elegance in chiaroscuro, a scene from Wong Kar-Wai. On the skin… Tension between bolts of light spouting over a dark, bewitching background. The aromatic accents of young lavender, transcended by elegant rose geranium, then an exhilarating journey as the coolness gives way to sweetness flitting near voluptuous vanilla, warm and woody balsam fir and dark patchouli.’ – Voyages Imaginaires

Several people have recommended La Coloeur de la Nuit to me, so I got my hands on a sample. It’s my first time trying a Voyages Imaginaires and it makes a great first impression. I do feel like the descriptions (and some of the note listings) can paint a somewhat misleading picture.

A lot emphasis is on the aromatics and florals, but even several minutes in, this is also loaded with an ambery vanilla. While the florals and herbal scents are more pronounced, half of this composition seems to be the brand’s take on Guerlain Shalimar or Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur DNA. Very familiar in that style of custardy, amber-vanilla with some bergamot in the opening.

That being said, it’s not fully sweet, as there is a sharpness cutting through, with some aromatic qualities. In the air, I get more of the vanilla, while up close, the sharpness of the other notes stand out more.