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Calandre by Paco Rabanne, 1969

Calandre by Paco Rabanne, 1969 + add a photo
27 reviews
96% Positive Reviews
Rated #171 in Fragrances
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Posted
By Darvant
Under my nose Calandre is a classic rose chypre with sheer hints of aldehydes and a woody mossy dry down. The first blast is all bergamot, soft herbs and aldehydes on me and the cologny lemony vibe is vintage and evocative. I smell something reminding me many fragrances as La Perla, Giorgio Beverly Hills and yes, probably Rive Gauche which i agree is darker and more angular in my opinion. Some sharp floral patterns (geranium, jasmine, orris?) flank the rose and the herbs in the middle fase while the dry down adds musk, some mossy amber and powdery woods (sandalwood but also cedarwood) which morph in an almost soapy opaque old-school mélange really classy and discreet. More a feminine fragrance in my humble opinion. Respectful.
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Posted
By foetidus
Big opening of rose, bergamot, and aldehydes big and quite perfumy to my nose. I dont get much green at first, but I do get an awful lot of floral the green comes later when a green geranium note from the middle forces itself through floral density. The largeness of the opening doesnt last more than ten or fifteen minutes and then settles down to a quite calm quiet floral strongly supported by metallic geranium(?) green. By the heart notes, Calandre has become a discreet fragrance to my nose discreet but not transparent. Its nice but it doesn't seem very special. The drydown I get is primarily sandalwood with a bit of musk quite pleasant and so soft and smooth that it is perfect for occasions when the fragrance is best to be soft spoken. Calandre is a classic. It is nicely put together, but has little longevity on my skin. I suspect that at one time there was a richness and uniqueness to the fragrance that has been lost in translations and reformulations. But it is still a pleasant and discreet woody / green / floral well worthy of a testing.
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By momo-nyc
Calandre was my signature scent for decades, literally. It warmed beautifully on my skin and had excellent sillage. I could wear it day and night, summer and winter, and it was always luscious and haunting. It smelled like me, and I smelled like Calandre. The fact that it has been discontinued is a source of heartbreak to me, and I am still hunting around for a "me" fragrance.
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Posted
By jtd
I get the comparison between Rive Gauche and Calandre, and I love to put one on each wrist just for kicks. Its fun to watch them both unroll over time. Try the same with Estée Lauders White Linen and Calandre. It feels like the same experience as with RG, but the sides have been switched. If RG was on Calandres left, then WL sits on its right. Forgetting for the moment who came first, the comparisons of A:B and B:C yield so much similarity, but studying A:C is like comparing apples to aldehydes. There feels like virtually no connection between White Linen and Rive Gauche. My take on the RG/Calandre comparison is that, contrary to general consensus, Calandre is both ligher in weight and darker in feel that RG. Yes, RGs rose is darker and Calandres chromium shine is brighter than RGs. And, yes, RG has a dark resinous opening, but the resins grow sweet over time. In the end Calandre has a sharp green chypre facet that RG doesnt. This is Calandres darkness. This chypre aspect is also what makes Calandre seem more tart than WL. Also, the rose in Calandre seems metallic when compared to WLs sweet rose. Juxtaposition aside, Calandre stands beautifully on its own and were I to keep one of the three, it would be Calandre. Has this really been discontinued? What a shame.
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Posted
By SirSlarty
Every time I wore this, I got to experience different facets of the fragrance. First time I remember the aldehyde opening and things, how nice a dulled aldehyde. Second time I remember Calandre having a warm woodsy feeling. Third time I got the note of aldehydes connecting with a green floral accord... then it went into the woodsy powdery accord at the base. Took a few tries exploring it but I ended up really enjoying the fragrance.
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Posted
By Jasper
Love the gorgeous opening of roses, the white ones. So fresh and seem to
drenched with early morning dew.
Beautiful combination the sweet lush scent of delicate roses with crisp green leaves. Very modern and easy to wear. I think it's one of the best green-floral Ive ever tried. (Thank you, Aiona :) )
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By ortho123
I have to say that the backup singer in my college band wore this one...loved it then on a woman...and love the smell of Calandre now.

This is what I wish I would bump into while out shopping or walking around more than what I call NJ Gucci Envy.
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Posted
By koki2
I've been wearing Calandre almost non-stop since it was released in the '60s. Never smelled anything like it, never smelled anyone else wearing it. Even after collecting a large and wide-ranging perfume wardrobe it is still my signature scent and will always be my favorite.
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Facts and Details

Calandre by Paco Rabanne, 1969
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Description:

Details:
DetailValue
Launched Date1969
GenderWomen
PerfumerMichael Hy
AvailabilityIn Production
ByPaco Rabanne
Bottle DesignerPierre Dinand
Base Notes
Middle Notes
Top Notes
Models:
Model Name/TypeMPNEAN/UPC
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