Bal à Versailles (1962)
by Jean Desprez

Jean Despres Bal a Versailles and Miller Harris L'Air de Rien Comparison

Left arm: Jean Desprez Bal a Versailles EDC
Right arm: Miller Harris L'Air de Rien EDP

An article I read recently compared BaV concentrations in both parfum and EDT with L'AdR. L'AdR comes only in EDP, but I know from past experience that it is short lived, and not entirely incomparable to an EDT or EDC.

BaV starts with a blast of civet and very soapy aldehydes (much like the scent of Ivory soap). It has a slight sourness that I sometimes smell in these types of aldehydes, but it is not unpleasant on my skin. The civet doesn't last long, but the soapyness continues through the mid development. Now (about an hour later), I still smell the soap, but also powder, leather, and a bit of another animalic note which reminds me of the animal-cage smell in Dzing! (the note is castoreum). The article said "bar of soap in a horse stable". I would have to agree with this sentiment!

L'AdR starts much sweeter with a slightly dirty amber accord. No civet, but the "dirty" smell is a similar leather and horse barn smell (castoreum). There is no soapyness or sourness, but there is a bit of powder at this stage. It is also retaining its sweetness pretty well, something that is a challenge with my skin. Incidentally, the BaV is quite dry in comparison, at least for me.

I completely understand how a comparison can be made between these two, but I see it mostly in the middle and early part of the drydown. I have a slight preference for the Miller Harris since it forgoes the "dated" aldehydic notes and stays sweet on my skin. However, the BaV is also a very interesting fragrance, and I can imagine exploring its different concentrations.

Bal A Versailles is one of my top favorite scents, despite a discordant note when initially sprayed. Like someone else said, and I'm surprised it's not just me, there's a really sharp, jarring component, (like a person singing horribly off key in a choir), which almost manages to ruin the beginning. I think it's the neroli. Fortunately, this jolt dissipates in a short time, and Bal gets steadily prettier, with the orange blossom, the rose, the lilac, the patchouli taking over. The dance is finally getting the beat of the music. You begin to think, hey, this is pretty nice, and THEN...it comes, the most SPECTACULAR drydown known to man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One that rivals Shalimar's. The mix of amber, balsams, civet, and vanilla all make for a cozy, snuggly, incredibly warm experience, not unlike cuddling in front of a fire on a bitterly cold winter's day.. I love spicy orientals, and I've rarely come across a finale like this one. OMG it's heaven- what I would guess an invitation to dance at the palace of Versailles would be like. I love the bottle as well- so deliciously romantic. Dance on!

This is a very rich, warm fragrance. It is very pleasant and an old classic from a different era. This was one of Jackie Kennedy Onassis's favorites while she was first lady and for some time there after. It's the kind of fragrance that is of appeal to certain women, but not to all. "Either you love it or you hate it".

Heavenly. Rich and complex, and the drydown is so light but also so full of civet and incense - how'd they DO that??? The only reason this doesn't share a five star rating with my beloved Opium is a weird top note that gave me a sense memory of my elementary school art room, full of slightly open plastic bottles of paint and wooden tables baking in the sun. But in only lasts a moment and then I'm a very happy person.

Adding to my review of this sent out yesterday:

It made it extremely sick when I wore it as opposed to having just a drop on my hand for review purposes. Very, very sick. & this is from someone who can shower in "Le Baiser du Dragon".
Very disapointed.

I found old classics agree with me these days better than many new scents. I bought a mini of this one with high hopes, and I'm still not sure what to make of it yet. I really like the dry-down's animalic notes. Not nuts at this point about the flowery opening, which smells like little old ladies to me. It might grow on me. I think it's worth a few more wearings to decide.