Le Temps d'Une Fête (2006)
by Parfums de Nicolaï

It seems that we all agree on the notes in LeTemps d’une Fête, but we characterize the fragrance differently. Galbanum, hyacinth, narcissus, incense. But I don’t get dark, animalic or mossy. The florals are utterly spring-crisp, fresh and dewy. The water-like green florals combine with an equally green resinous aspect (galbanum, mastic) to give LTdF its cool snap and smartness. All the bits come together to give the feel of spring: moist, sappy new growth wood; young grass; newly sprouted bulb flowers.

I understand the comparison of LTdF to Guerlains’s Chamade. They share a number of notes. But in tone, they feel nowhere near each other. Chamade’s languid, oily green/yellow October is miles from the April of LTdF’s new growth. Compared to LTdF’s just-sprouted-this-morning freshness, Chamade doesn't feel so much ripe as aged. LTdF’s real point of camparison in the Guerlain line is Habit Rouge. In both fragrances, opopanax and florals combine to strike a similar timber (sound, not wood.) Both share a high pitched harmonious range, but one with great richness. Opopanax together with either orange blossom (HR) or narcissus (LTdF) gives both fragrances that gorgeous 9/10ths harmony - 1/10th dissonance that keeps me listening closely.

14th April, 2011. (Last Edited: 7th May, 2011.)

Once in a while there comes a fragrance that just makes you close your eyes and inhale deeply its soul-satisfying splendor. This luscious green floral chypre is one such beauty with its classical construction and superb balance. Galbanum, styrax and oakmoss add depth to the heady green leafy profile of narcissus while hyacinth's cool floral element give it a joyous, vivacious sparkle that sings of spring. Without a doubt, this is a true de Nicolai masterpiece.

15th February, 2011.

This is my signature scent. I love narcissus in a perfume, and Chamade didn't quite do it for me, as lovely as it is. The Guerlain base is too sweet for my taste. There is the bitter galbanum up front that I loved in the original Vent Vert and Deneuve. But the labyrinthine complexity of this scent with seemingly no beginning or end is the mark of a truly great perfume and an unforgettable party.

11th January, 2011.

This scent is so unabashadly green it could be used as the mascot for St. Patrick's day. Now I love Chamade, and have added it to my collection, but I will say i **like** this opening better. Unlike Chamade, which comes out of the bottle wiht a slap to your face, this slinks out of the bottle; like a cat with an oily grin on it's face.

And this kitty is sly. It rests langourously on its throne all day, a throne made of deep, rich woods. Idly the kitty peers into a pool framed by narcissus, and is greeted by a tart, seductive smile.

I set this one notch below Chamade, however, because of longevity and hte dry down. While the dry down is impressive for an EDT, it doesn't carry the green sparkle throughout. But for the first few hours, this is truly the cat's meow of green florals.

12nd May, 2010.

Compellingly weird top notes that suggest licorice, a barnyard, and a wood fire resolve into an indolic, warmly animalic floral accord on a classically structured chypre foundation. I’m not surprised to find narcissus listed twice (“daffodil” = “narcissus”) in the pyramid, as it’s the peculiarly decadent, bittersweet, hay-like aspect of narcissus that dominates the scent’s heart. Whereas many of Patricia de Nicolaï’s fragrances strike me as stodgy in their understated, classicizing style, Le Temps d’une Fête holds my attention from the moment I put it on to the very tail end of its mossy drydown. I set it next to Odalisque as one of this perfumer’s best. In fact, I'll go even further and rank Le Temps d'une Fête with Guerlain's Chamade as one of the most gratifying narcissus-centered fragrances I've tried.

11th December, 2009.

The first notes that I smell from Le Temps D’Une Fête are a strongly animalic green, and those notes hold for quite a long time – they are rich, unique, and viscerally rewarding. When the animalic notes finally subside, the heart notes provide a luscious green note – galbanum – coupled with the light, delicate notes of the spring flowers. It is such a creatively unusual progression and destination, and it is a typical genius performance of a Patricia de Nicolaï fragrance… The gentle lightness of the spring bulbs is a brilliant counterpoint to the rich, full, and earthy green accord, and both stand in comparative balance following the dense animalic overtones of the opening. Le Temps D’Une Fête has good sillage in the beginning that softens to a skin scent by the time the base is accomplished. It manages finesse and sensuality at once and has good longevity… a totally excellent fragrance.

1st November, 2009.