Violettes de Toulouse
by Parfums Berdoues

Violettes de Toulouse is a sweet violet with a raspberry note. I do not find it powdery. The edp is significantly stronger than the edt. Having owned both, I find that I prefer the lighter edt version, which is lovely to spray on sheets or to wear to bed. The edp is better suited to day wear. It is less green than Penhaligon's Violetta, less sweet and candy-like than Annick Goutal's La Violette. The bottle with the bulb atomizer is more decorative than functional (I decanted to a purse atomizer, which produced a finer spray.)

19th May, 2011.

The bottle I am reviewing is approx. 10-15 years old.

Violettes de Toulouse reminds me a lot of violet flavored Pastiglie Leone (Italian candy) and a bit of the violet note in Balenciaga's Le Dix.

It is sweet, dry (as opposed to fresh) and powdery.
I like some retro and powdery violets -the ones evocative of makeup items from times gone by- but this one just doesn't make it for me.
It smells more old than vintage, but it is quite comforting -nevertheless- on days I crave a simple scent.
It is by no means as cheerful as Violetta di Parma.

The ultimate violet scents to me are Borsari Violetta di Parma and some violet essential oil (10% dilution) I bought in Czech Republic.

3rd January, 2011. (Last Edited: 12nd April, 2011.)

The city of toulouse is known for growing the best quality violets in the world for perfumery use. It takes 6000lbs of flowers needed to obtain 2.2lbs of pure violet essence as told in the introduction text.
Top Notes of: Fruity Floral, Jasmine, Spicy Bergamot, Absolute of Violet Leaf
Middle Notes of: Floral, Cyclamon, Almond Tree, Flowers, Lilac and Violet
Base Notes of: Woody Floral, Iris, Sandalwood, and Sweet Musk.
It has a violette colored round glass bottle with a lilac vintage styled pump atomizer. Atomizer has even a long tassel.
The scent itself is not complicated and tempting. Mainly sweet powdery violet note which was popular as violette colognes of the past century. But I would buy it even for the cute vintage looking bottle.

4th November, 2009.