Reviews of Vol de Nuit (1933)
by Guerlain

Sigh. Undoubtedly a classic, but not for me. I tried the pure parfum--the ingredients and craft are beyond reproach (and it lasts as long as the other Guerlains), but it's just not my thing. I'm no oriental lover, and this definitely comes across as a spicy oriental to me, rather than a dry chypre, as other reviewers have found. I agree that gender distinctions are especially meaningless when it comes to the classic Guerlains. I have tried them all at this point, and my favorite is unquestionably Habit Rouge!

Vol de Nuit is absolutely worth a try. Maybe I will come around to it someday.

I tried and rejected a sample of Vol de Nuit a few months ago, but then decided to try it again, reordering a small EDP decant -- this time, I was seduced and bought the EDP. This fragrance is not easily defined, but is a beautiful and complex blend of green/floral with wood/musk and a tiny whiff of medicine chest (the daffodil?). I perceive elements of both Jicky and L'Heure Bleu in the accord, but in a quieter formulation that whispers, rather than shouts, its name. This is a fragrance that invites intimacy, one, to decipher just what one is inhaling, and, two, closer proximity in order to appreciate its subtlety, warmth and softness. Not one element stands out too strongly -- difficult to do -- contributing to a smooth and lovely transition from top to heart to base. It is a fragrance that is easily worn during the day for those in-between occasions when one wants to dress up just a bit, but not all the way. I can see that a man may appreciate wearing it as well; my husband swears that it conjures for him the barbershop talcum powder sprinkled on his neck after a haircut. This is a unique scent, one you won't find on the celebrity "I-want-this!" pages or on the department store counter which, to me, is a big plus.

Very old fashioned chypre. Greenish, slightly mildewy, must be the galbanum—and powdery, in the way associated with sweet little old ladies. Very dated, and not in a nice way. On the other hand, my sister can wear it without the overwhelming powdery gagging mildew, so perhaps it is all down to chemistry after all. As far as my chemistry is concerned, Vol de Nuit and me are not friends.

Vol de Nuit is an odd experience for me, especially in light of other Guerlain classics like Mitsouko, Shalimar, and Apres l’Ondee. I love the sharp galbanum laden opening, and the transition to plush, semi-sweet iris and vanilla is a delightful surprise. The drydown of lingering vanilla with dark spices is a treat as well. What’s so funny, you ask? The whole thing zips by in less than half an hour on my skin. And that’s in pure parfum concentration! Am I anosmic to most of Vol de Nuit’s development, or is this time lapse perfumery? I don’t suppose I’ll ever know.

Ephemeral as it is, I give Vol de Nuit a thumbs up because, like a rainbow or a butterfly, it’s beautiful while it lasts.

A wonderfully complex chypre with the addition of aldehydes. This is mainly floral, but classed sometimes as a spicy oriental because of the base notes. It has a strong green component in the top notes (galbanum) supported by citrus notes and white florals. The heart is iris and narcissus softened by vanilla and spiked with aldehydic notes. The pure perfume has a marked oriental feel, probably put forward by oakmoss, orris root, and musk; moreover, there is remarkable sillage and above average longevity. A Jacques Guerlain classic from the 1930s that still captivates today.

I love so many Guerlain scents (Mitsouko, L Heure Bleue, Shalimar) but this one is the exact smell of a grandmother going out for dinner (died black hair, high heels, and red lipstick) I had forgotten all about the smell until I smelled this scent.
It took me back to my childhood and a room full of great aunts. For the trip back in time I am thankful but I can't imagine who would want to smell like this. Usually I love scents that have stood the test of time. But this was not one of them.

This is such a beautiful fragrance...much like Shalimar, but with an earthy edge. It's such a shame that Guerlain makes this in EDT only, because this scent would be far better served in an EDP or pure parfum. It lacks staying power, so the wearer never has an opportunity to experience what could be a wonderful drydown. I'll save my money to buy Sacrebleu from Parfums de Nicolai instead.

I've been looking for a first cologne for myself, and since I've always loved my dad's Guerlain Vetiver, I browsed all that Guerlain has to offer. Being ever curious and a terrible romantic, I saw that this one was practically unisex so I ordered a small sample vintage edt of this to just smell. I was totally surprised when I first opened the little bottle, the opening is very very "Guerlain" I guess, I don't know any other way to put it. I could just tell that it was a Guerlain. There must be some notes in there that they later reused in Vetiver or something. That sharp opening. Very odd and with that in mind I totally agree with ponderous's review, it DOES smell like a cologne when you open the tube (or I guess normally, first spray) but then flow into something feminine once on the skin. The last part of the fragrance, I guess that typical Guerlain vanilla is very nice, it does smell like "skin" but not in a sweaty way.

Being only eighteen I'm not terribly sure, as a guy, I could pull this off despite it's possible unisex tendencies. I need some outside opinions from the family. I caution other men though, you gotta smell it and try it on your skin. Application I think, needs to be light, otherwise the oakmoss and powder can be overly sweet and be perceived as "old". Despite a possible miss for my own wearing, I can't deny, however that this is a beautiful scent. I would be drawn to a girl my age wearing this, for sure.
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I loved the book vol de nuit. So this should have been tried. but not fascinated as did while reading Saint Exupery. The opening is bitter heavy and dries down spicy amber. I have enjoyed the iris and oakmoss a bit but they are not heady and the fragrance on the whole is too old and spicy and too heavy for my fair skin. Compared to her elder sisters mitsouko and le heure bleu this is more wearable. But may be it should have worn in a costume ball and when you dress in the way the grandaunt of your grand mother does. May be a darker skin and a man should carry this better. but no way thump goes up...

My all time favourite perfume.So different and unique to all the similar smelling perfumes on the market.On first spray i did decide it wasn't me and purchased Apres L'Ondee instead.An hour later husband asked what the lovely smelling perfume was...it was Vol De Nuit!I thought so too and have worn it ever since.

This fragrance was launched in 1933, the same year as Air France, which is not as tenuous a link as it might at first appear. In French, Vol de Nuit means 'night flight' which is also the name of a novel from 1931 by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, famous pilot during the war. Saint-Exupéry was killed in action over France in 1944 and his body was never recovered. The French Air Force College cadets still give out Vol de Nuit with their emblem on official foreign visits. The perfume bottle's design imitates a propeller in motion. Together, L'Heure Bleue, Mitsouko and Vol de Nuit are often referred to as 'sister fragrances’ because of their shared powdery spicy-floral qualities. Yet, Vol de Nuit is the darkest, most subtly spiced of the three, and consequently some people find it to be a 'unisex' fragrance, just like Jicky.

Family: oriental, woody, spicy. Top notes: bergamot, galbanum, petitgrain. Middle notes: jasmine, daffodil, spices. Base notes: wood, iris, vanilla, amber notes, earthy forest note.

Begins with a warm and complex guerlinade waft but then in fairly short order it all goes terribly flat and thin and then something horrible happens; the return of Old Lady vintage 1933. Some fragrances simply do not last the distance despite my attempts to believe in them. Try it and ask someone who isn't a perfume addict what they think...you will get an almost universal thumbs down.

This starts off wonderfully tangy, like Tabac Blond, but then it simmers down very quickly to a vanilla scent that seems to characterize all the final stages of the Guerlain perfumes to some degree. Vol de Nuit's finish is a little spicierm, though. Not as sweet as Jicky, not as vanilla as Shalimar, and not as sharp as Mitsouko. I still like it, but not as much as Tabac Blond or Shalimar.

I bought this fragrance following the rave reviews from this site and feel quite inadequate, as I must be missing something. Yuck.I am 46 years old and feel like an old lady wearing this. It makes me feel as if I should be knitting and drinking cocoa.IMHO, this is just too powdery and sickly sweet for anyone other than some sweet 90 yr old granny. My colleagues have told me they will pay me to get rid of this one as it makes them feel unwell. I have half of a 100 ml bottle left so if anyone wants to pay P&P they can have this for free.

Lots of oakmoss opens this one. Perhaps that's the reason it smells "dated" or "old lady perfumey" to some. The way oakmoss opens always seems very perfumery to me. But wait for the drydown because this one doesn't stop there. Where it goes I can't really tell you...the blending is so perfect. I can tell you that it gets spicy, warm, and ambery in the drydown. I can also say that iris plays a strong role, especially in the middle, but to my nose it's nowhere near an overpowering role. In fact, I'd say it's one of the best uses of iris I've encountered. That note almost always stands out like a sore thumb to me, but here it blends in so well, adding a lush, velvety texture. The deep dry down is just warm, spicy, and ambery - radiating the color dark brown, as well as a classical sort of exoticism. VintageVogue is right on: Vol de Nuit does skirt the masculine. It's not manly, per se, but it's also not distinctly feminine. There is nothing here that would make it difficult for a man to wear. If you haven't already, you've got to try this one to know what makes a classic classic.

Burning plastic. Absolutely horrific.

I'd love to love it but I'm afraid I can't pull off the hesperidic accord. Fruits, and especially apples, are a bad idea on my skin. I like the vintage chypre opening, but then it just turns too sweet and fruity for my taste, sweet and fruity in a cool and watery way which is especially bad. I'm learning to love the classics, but this is a bit on the musty side for me. I like it better on my wrist, where the green sharp chypre dominates, than on my chest, where the watery fruit notes dominate. I might learn to love it. We'll see...

this is really a milestone in perfume history, as many other scents launched by guerlain-timeless,but with an inmortal history and you are a part of it.....very special, difficult to describe and to analize....a secret of ingredients-soft, warm but daring and a bit harsh on the other side...daring, coming, leaving and being again there...and you love to inhale the touch you are surrounded by.It is always in the air, in so many different ways-in my eyes it is well suited for a man.Never exhausting or boring-when i tried it for the first time i put it on my wrist- it was ok -i left the store and hours later i felt suddenly this amazing perfume all around me...but always in very very small doses coming in....and i was longing for more and more.....and i went the next day straight away to the perfumery and bought the edt.Vol de nuit is exceptional, very special and too dificult to describe what it is and what you smell....but it changes permanently it´s colours....so many different colours....what a picture...vol de nuit is a perfume for conaisseurs, vol de nuit is the top of the top!

In 1996 the now deceased Edmond Roudnitska remarked that Vol de Nuit, one of Jacques Guerlain's masterpieces, had not received the attention or appreciation it deserved, either from the public or from Guerlain itself. That is assuredly even truer now, for one is hard pressed to find Vol de Nuit at your typical local department store counter (this is true in America; the situation abroad is hopefully more promising for VdN). And what a shame that is, too. The House promotes neither Vol de Nuit nor Apres L'Ondee these days, yet those are two of the most haunting and timeless fragrances from the old line Guerlains. As far as VdN goes---I enjoy equally the EdT and the extrait de parfum. Both are fairly easy to find online, thankfully. It is almost a seamless fragrance, progressing from one stage to the next in subtle ways and leaves a lovely ambery drydown. Lovers of Patou's Normandie or even Dior's Miss Dior (vintage, especially) should give Vol de Nuit a try. I think it would be superb on a man, because, let's be honest here, Vol de Nuit skirts the masculine. I don't mean that it's double fisted, barrel-chested masculine. No. I mean that Vol de Nuit isn't particularly sweet, and the oakmoss and amber and hint of leather would be perfectly at home on a man. Those who have tried Vol de Nuit in the past and disliked it really should try it again at some point. It's a true masterpiece of art and will continue to be heralded as one of Jacques Guerlain's timeless works of perfumery.

Based on "Lefay's" comments, my sense of smell must be immature because this fragrance reeks of old lady. I purchased this product based on comments seen on this site, and regretted it the moment I took off the cap. I like bold, sexy, sophisticated fragrances, but Le Vol goes far beyond this bar and reaches a level of overpowering stench I didn't think possible. This perfume is fit only for the very old who are equipped with with a very poor sense of smell.

One-of-a-kind perfume. Nothing compares to this unbelievable fragrance. Extremely resinous wood. Volatile vapors evaporate on contact. Citrus and perfectly selected florals begin to sing in the background. Upon warming to the skin, the clean wood offers an increasing amount of smooth, powdery iris, sweetened only by spices that are so well-matched to this dynamic, straightforward fragrance that it is impossible to identify any single one. Breathe it in. It lifts you up. Aptly named for flight, with an unerring sense of direction. A complete absence of anything cute or cloying comes from this bottle, only strength, light, and clarity. Thank goodness Guerlain still makes it. I wish very much that the parfum were readily available.

Another fabulously good fragrance from Guerlain's 'back catalogue'. Full of character but easier to wear than L'Heure Bleue, this seems to lie close to the skin and radiate gently, rather than bashing bystanders over the head as more modern 'sexy' perfumes seem to. For me, this is sexy like the Hepburn girls (Kate and Audrey) were sexy; incidentally and as a by-product of personality. It certainly doesn't try too hard and I find it immensely satisfying and comforting to wear.

Personally, I find it a tad soapy. I can see how it would be considered very sophisticated when it just came out, but - although a classic - I don't see it as timeless. Yes, I have it. Yes, I use it. But it's never one I immediately go to when in doubt.

Iris, oakmoss, vanilla, and galbanum seem the highlights of this scent - in the same realm with Must and Safari, but sleeker, more vintage feeling and with the distinct Guerlain drydown of its early 20th century creations.

I can take or leave the old-fashioned woodsy spiced musk scent of Vol de Nuit. It smells uninteresting on my skin. It is definitely for iris lovers. Iris overpowers every other note and I'm not a real iris fan. While I will not become a loyal wearer of Vol de Nuit- I envy those that this scent agrees with.

One of the most sublimely beautiful fragrances ever created. The pure parfum is to die for. (I've heard younger people describe it as an "old woman's scent," but this merely reflects their lack of experience.) Vol de Nuit (along with L'Heure Bleue) has a piercing poignancy, evoking emotion and memory that remain just beyond reach. It is perfectly balanced, ethereal, and womanly -- not for the immature or insecure.

When the bottle just opens it’s mouth it shouts: Freedom!

Green galbanum, sage and bergamot are hinting to the Chypre quality of this marvelous perfume. It is going to be a super-multilayered adventure that requires patience and faith.

The green rush fades rather quickly, smoothing itself gradually into an almost powdery combination of jonquil and cedarwood, mellowed and warmed by powdery musk and the Guerlainade - orris root, tonka bean and vanilla. That is what makes the narcissus notes not so heady and overwhelming (reassuringly, this perfume is neither too floral nor overly sweet, especially for the sophisticated and adventurous woman!) - Vol de Nuit is truly a perfume of refinement and an understated, passionate approach to life. In my mind it symbolizes independence and individuality in it’s most truthful meaning - facing adversity all by yourself, and yet remembering who you are.

The smooth, somewhat powdery heart gradually evolves into a more sophisticated Woody-Chypre accord, based on Labdanum and Oakmoss and a noble Agarwood note that lends a somewhat sweet, somewhat sour undertone that is not unlike Mitsouko’s vetiver-agarwood base, but is richer and sweeter.

Than there is the next phase of heart notes - which is definitely the inspiration for Chant d’Aromes in my opinion, as it smells exactly like this lovely, cheerful and spring-like perfume: the fresh white florals (honeysuckly, gardenia, narcissus) over a woody-light musky-chypre base, floral and deeply wamr at once, fresh and young and at the same time thoughtful and deep.

The drydown echoes the earlier impression of the heart accord: woody and musky, with some ambery-vanilla sweetness in the tradition of Guerlain (Which somewhat reminds me of Shalimar - only that Shalimar is a perfume worn to seduce, where as in Vol de Nuit the seduction is more natural and sublte, and almost unintentional - you wear it first of all for yourself - and than come all the other side-effects...).
Like Shalimar, the Vol de Nuit drydown is somewhat resembling a natural skin scent (which is my personal weakness...).

In my mind, Vol de Nuit is associated with the heroic women of the WWII era, namely my dearest grandmother (Vol de Nuit was the romantic gift my beloved grandfather has given her after taking her to the Guerlain boutique in Champs Elysee where she received a personal fragrance consultation). I also associate it (I admit it - a lot of elements in the movie reminded me of “The Little Prince” by the same author of “Vol de Nuit”) - the airplane crashing in the desert) the desert-dwelling British heroine from “The English Patient” (Was her name Katherine?).

Vol de Nuit is rich, complex, mysterious. A perfume that needs to be worn with dignity and self-worth, you can either make it your own, or wonder for years trying to convince it to be worn by you.

Top notes; Galbanum, Bergamot, Sage
Heart notes: Jonquil, Jasmine, Orris Root, Cedarwood, Musk
Base notes: Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Oakmoos, Cedarwood, Agarwood, Labdanum, Oakmoss, Vetiver

Keep in mind that Vol de Nuit stand hand-in-hand with the great Jacques Guerlain creations - l’Heure Bleu and Mitsouko. It can be interpreted in many ways, and has layers upon layers of connotations and essentially it’s own vocabulary. I believe there is always something new to find about it, so don’t be surprised to find me writing another perfume review of it tomorrow that will be quite different.
I remembered it as much darker and floral than it is today. And the EDT I found to be a lot more similar to Shalimar in the drydown note which is musky-vanilla.

Once experienced, Vol de Nuit cannot be forgotten or mistaken for another fragrance. Layer upon layer of memories. Kaliedoscopic. Ancient. Feral. Powerful. Evocative. Dangerous.

This is a very odd term to apply to a fragrance, but I think of Vol de Nuit as a protandrous sequential hermaphrodite, or an organism that changes from male to female. When first applied, Vol de Nuit is a masculine cologne, somewhat old-fashioned but with that distinctive Guerlain je ne sais quoi. I feel a bit self-conscious wearing it, like I've become Diane Keaton looking goofy in a tuxedo. After a couple of hours, though, it morphs into a lovely feminine powdery fragrance, also somewhat old-fashioned but with that unique, romantic Guerlain flavor. Perhaps the duality of the fragrance is meant to represent the brave pilot and the woman praying for his return? I probably won't ever purchase Vol de Nuit because I prefer Apres l'Ondee, but I love the history behind the name, and the bottle is a work of art.

When the bottle just opens itís mouth it shouts: Freedom!
Green galbanum, sage and bergamot are hinting to the Chypre quality of this marvelous perfume. It is going to be a super-multilayered adventure that requires patience and faithÖ
The green rush fades rather quickly, smoothing itself gradually into an almost powdery combination of jonquil and cedarwood, mellowed and warmed by powdery musk and the Guerlainade ñ orris root, tonka bean and vanilla. That is what makes the narcissus notes not so heady and overwhelming (reassuringly, this perfume is neither too floral nor overly sweet, especially for the sophisticated and adventurous woman!) ñ Vol de Nuit is truly a perfume of refinement and an understated, passionate approach to life. In my mind it symbolizes independence and individuality in itís most truthful meaning ñ facing adversity all by yourself, and yet remembering who you are.
The smooth, somewhat powdery heart gradually evolves into a more sophisticated Woody-Chypre accord, based on Labdanum and Oakmoss and a noble Agarwood note that lends a somewhat sweet, somewhat sour undertone that is not unlike Mitsoukoís vetiver-agarwood base, but is richer and sweeter.
Than there is the next phase of heart notes ñ which is definitely the inspiration for Chant díAromes in my opinion, as it smells exactly like this lovely, cheerful and spring-like perfume: the fresh white florals (honeysuckly, gardenia, narcissus) over a woody-light musky-chypre base, floral and deeply wamr at once, fresh and young and at the same time thoughtful and deep.
The drydown echoes the earlier impression of the heart accord: woody and musky, with some ambery-vanilla sweetness in the tradition of Guerlain (Which somewhat reminds me of Shalimar - only that Shalimar is a perfume worn to seduce, where as in Vol de Nuit the seduction is more natural and sublte, and almost unintentional - you wear it first of all for yourself - and than come all the other side-effects...).
Like Shalimar, the Vol de Nuit drydown is somewhat resembling a natural skin scent (which is my personal weakness...).
In my mind, Vol de Nuit is associated with the heroic women of the WWII era, namely my dearest grandmother (I already told you about my fascination with the story of how Vol de Nuit becamse her signature perfume). I also associate it (I admit it ñ a lot of elements in the movie reminded me of ìThe Little Princeî by the same author of ìVOl de Nuitî ñ the airplane crashing in the desert) the desert-dwelling British heroine from ìThe English Patientî (Was her name Katherine?).
Vol de Nuit is rich, complex, mysteriousÖ A perfume that needs to be worn with dignity and self-worth, you can either make it your own, or wonder for years trying to convince it to wear youÖ
Top notes; Galbanum, Bergamot, Sage
Heart notes: Jonquil, Jasmine, Orris Root, Cedarwood, Musk
Base notes: Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Oakmoos, Cedarwood, Agarwood, Labdanum, Oakmoss, Vetiver
Keep in mind that Vol de Nuit stand hand-in-hand with the great Jacques Guerlain creations ñ líHeure Bleu and Mitsouko. It can be interpreted in many ways, and has layers upon layers of connotations and essentially itís own vocabularyÖ I believe there is always something new to find about it, so donít be surprised to find me writing another perfume review of it tomorrow that will be quite differentÖ
I remembered it as much darker and floral than it is today. And the EDT I found to be a lot more similar to Shalimar in the drydown note which is musky-vanilla.

Vol de Nuit still is one of the most audacious, daring fragrances ever created! The mysterious, exotic heart note and the sinister, dramatic base note make this the ultimate femme fatale scent. Besides, it is so elegant, graceful and loaded with quiet confidence that it is perfectly suitable for business.
I think this impressive classic tends to being masculine, so it can (and, in my opinion) should also be worn by gentlemen!

vol de nuit is: that hyperreal dream of a long-lost loved one returned, a rainy Paris afternoon, your great grandmother's wedding ring, moody jazz, pressed flowers in a stranger's journal discovered in an antique shop find. it's at once both ethereal and earthy, with the perfect balance of vanilla, wood, & a mature green floral bouquet notes, ending in a sweet haunting drydown. i adore this exquisite parfum though it has nearly brought me to tears many times for some odd reason-- this beautiful ghost in a bottle.