Quelques Fleurs L'Original (1912)
by Houbigant

Too often this is called simply 'QUELQUES FLEURS' and is retailed as such but it isn't! This perfume 'QUELQUES FLEURS L'ORIGINAL' bears little resemblence to Quelques Fleurs which was created a couple of years after L'Original. Both are by Houbigant but whilst L'original has been resurrected (reformulated?) and is available retail, Quelques Fleurs is only available in the 'vintage' market! L'original is quite a heady floral perfume but there is something not quite right about it - whether this is the reformulation I don't know as I have never smelled the REAL L'Original. It improves greatly after a few minutes so if testing it WAIT and don't rub it!!! BUT believe me it doesn't even come close to Quelques Fleurs! That is just scentsational! It is like falling asleep in a flower garden on a hot summers day - a died and gone to heaven fragrance - youthful but not young - it is a perfume that any woman can wear at any time of the day. L'Original just doesn't have the same qualities. They stopped making Quelques Fleurs back in the 70's I think - or at least they retailed it in UK only in Harrods in an attempt to raise its profile to where it originally was - I think they made it for the USA market for a little longer. My mother introduced me to it in the late 60's - it had been one of her favourites. I have both Quelques Fleurs and Quelques Fleurs L'Original - I have given it the thumbs up as L'Original is lovely ....BUT...........

Dense describes it perfectly -- a dense multi-floral from another era altogether. Don't think for a moment, though, that "dense" here implies sodden or heavy. No, this is dense complexity -- the French perfumer's art at its best.

What starts out as tuberose overdose with lily and jasmine galore soon dries down into a green floral delight and then onward into a warm and inviting muskiness.

Very, VERY old school opulence -- not for the faint of heart, nor for the die-hard fan of Tommy Girl and other relentless, watery clone frags. Appropriate for any age if worn with confidence. A must-try for any frag aficionado, too.

Quelque Fleurs translates literally into "some flowers" but figuratively into "whatever flowers" with the implication that this is a casual assortment, not a formal arrangement. As the story goes, there are supposed to be 313 flowers in this fragrance. Indeed there are many; and this is a perfume for floral lovers. The ones that stand out most to me are lily, orange blossom, carnation, and tuberose, but none of them drown out the others. Each accepts its space graciously, and allows infringment by the others, resulting in a big but surprisingly light and elegant bouquet. I like this, but I don't love it, as I wear mostly woody scents. If you love multi-florals, though, this is a good one.

Wow, NEZ is right! This begins much like Chanel's Cristalle! Quelques Fleurs harbors the potentially cloying triple threat of rose-jasmine-tuberose, yet thankfully manages to keep that fragrant bouquet fresh and in tact. For me, the musk used here smells a bit "fleshy". For lilies I prefer the refined notes found in Lutens Un Lys, but considering the era of this creation and it's unwavering popularity I must give credit where it is due - thumbs up!

At the beginning, a couple of minutes, it reminds me Chanel Cristalle. It is a fresh ,green, floral, juicy(a little bit at the end), but not too sweet and heady scent. Very feminen and wearable during the day.
It lasts whole day on my skin. One of my all time favorite classics.

Quelques Fleurs was created in 1912 by Houbigant perfume house. I read that they sold toilette waters & scented gloves to Marie Antionette & perfume to Naploeon as well.I've also read that this is Star Jone's favorite perfume.

Very long lasting with lovely & lively sillage. Quelques Fleurs is refined, sexy, elegant and timeless. Perfect for evening or daytime wear.

I used to wear QF quite a bit and then out of the blue I just got sick of the green base. It seems the green just overpowered every other floral note in the heart of this fragrance. Way too green for me now.