Eau de Camille (1983)
by Annick Goutal

The bright green floral opening contains an off-putting sour note, but that soon merges into the blend to contribute an extra degree of tart crispness at Eau de Camille’s heart. In fact, what I particularly like about this scent is that while its base and middle are quite powdery-sweet, it never loses its balance or becomes cloying. The grassy green notes certainly help here, as does a very subtle camphor or menthol element that flits about in the background. Eau de Camille is not the most enduring scent around, and within an hour or two it has dried down to its very soft, sweet, powdery-soapy base. Fleeting as it is, I give it points for being cheerful without being crass, and embodying the spirit of a young girl as effectively as any other scent I can recall.

I was introduced to this fine fragrance during a blind test here on Basenotes. It was presented as part of the Green family, but it is fresh with green notes, rather than heavy. The leafy topnotes of wet grass and ivy are mild but insistent and remind me of linden. Overall, it is woody, floral, rich, and sweet. This perfume is gorgeous. I pick up distinct spiciness and woodiness, but I cannot explain why. Nor will I ever obtain an explanation, as it appears to have been discontinued--no longer listed on Annick Goutal's website, which makes me upset and angry.

Eau de Camille is one of my favorite Annick Goutal fragrances. It is cool and green and brambly - green with a slight bitterness, like a crushed living twig, and a floral sweetness. It reminds me of secret places in the woods where I would hide as a child. Love this one.

My husband and I both smell apple on my wrists, and then I get pear, or, more accurately, the juice of canned pears. Nice lasting power for such a delicate scent. I want to serve this to a very young lady. Doesn't suit big, ole me, but I applaud its quality. I should also mention it has that soapy element that I sensed in the other two AG frags I've sampled, as well as in Alfred Sung's scents. I can imagine why someone would like a soap note, but I feel like I'm tasting soap--not a good thing.

Eau de Camille opens with the deep, cool green of ivy, with a light wafting of lilac in the background. The lilac soon gives way to a breath of honeysuckle, still deeply shaded by ivy and privet. Gradually, the honeysuckle strengthens and sweetens, taking on a soapy note--reminiscent of honeysuckle-scented bath soap--as the ivy softens and blends with it. If you enjoy strongly-scented honeysuckle soap, you will enjoy this scent! Twelve hours later, the honeysuckle is still sweetly lingering.