ID PARFUMS / ISABEL DERROISNE
LE TEMPS DES REINES – LE JOUR EDT

1998

PERFUMER
Christopher Sheldrake

geranium
spicy notes

patchouli

benzoin
sandalwood

You probably know Feminite du Bois, but are you also familiar with Le Temps des Reines? A similar fragrance, also created by Cristopher Sheldrake. Here’s a comparison between my bottles.

FEMINITE DU BOIS was first released in 1992 under Shiseido, before joining the Serge Lutens collection in 2009. It’s definitely my favorite from the brand and a true masterpiece. A subtle, mature plum fruitiness, with spicy woods. I get a ton of cinnamon and clove from this, but the fruitiness and florals keep it from being dark and heavy; it has a golden, sparkling lining. I get a lot of cola from this as well, which I love.

LES TEMPS DES REINES (LE JOUR) was released in 1998 under Isabel Derroisne (renamed ID Parfums circa 2012-2013) and it’s often said to be very similar to Feminite du Bois. From my bottle (which has likely aged a lot more than the relatively new Serge Lutens bottle), this grows significantly sweeter, while staying brighter. It’s less spicy and less sharp. It doesn’t have the cola spark in this bottle. Instead, it’s smoother, more resinous and sweeter.

The Serge Lutens is definitely the nicer of the two here and among my favorites of my collection, but I can imagine that the ID Parfums has lost some of its magic and clarity throughout the years. Les Temps des Reines is a nice and relatively similar fragrance though. A cool find.