I recently talked about the scent of linden blossoms and the memories associated with visiting my birth city. After trying DSH French Linden Blossom (read my full review here), I embarked on a small quest to find more fragrances that would closely mimic their aroma. As I read comments and reviews, I became curious about Astier de Villatte Grand Chalet, a fragrance inspired by a large linden tree that grew by the Grand Chalet in Rossinière Switzerland, where the Polish-French artist, Balthus, lived for many years.
If I had to describe the Grand Chalet fragrance in one sentence, I would say it perfectly captures the sweet scent trail from linden trees as the warm summer breeze blows through their thick foliage.
While DSH French Linden Blossom is a refreshing interpretation of the linden blossom accord, Grand Chalet leaves a sensation that is breezy, but also warm. The heady, honey-drenched aspect of linden blossom is very well captured here. If I were to assign a season to each of the two fragrances, I’d say that DSH French Linden Blossom exemplifies spring and Astier de Villatte Grand Chalet summer.
The linden blossom is prominent at first spray and persists throughout the fragrance’s evolution. I detect hints of mimosa with its green and pollen-rich facets, but this note just peers or tiptoes around the linden blossom. The mimosa also seems to be heightened in warmer temperatures. I only perceive a slight powdery accent, perhaps conveyed both by the mimosa and heliotrope. I don’t find any milky nuances as others have mentioned, but the fragrance evolves into a velvety and round composition conferred by smooth notes of sandalwood and musk, while maintaining its radiant quality.
This elegant fragrance was created by Françoise Caron for Astier de Villatte, a house founded by Ivan Pericoli and Benoît Astier de Villatte. Through partnerships with world-renowned designers, artists, authors, and perfumers, the company sells many unique objects – which they refer to as “dream objects”. They offer a vast array of luxury items, from furniture to ceramics, from books to stationery, from candles and incense sticks to colognes. As a long-time collector of erasers, I could barely contain my excitement when I discovered they sell erasers that are scented like their colognes.
The Grand Chalet-scented eraser has entered my wish list!
The fragrance’s notes are listed as they appear on the houses’ website:
Linden Blossoms, Mimosas, Green Leaves, Bergamot, Heliotrope, Sandalwood, Musks.
Astier de Villatte Grand Chalet is available as Eau de Cologne in 50 ml and 150 ml bottles. You can also find incense sticks, candles, cards, and erasers infused with the same scent.
In the USA, the fragrance is available at Catbird, a Brooklyn boutique.
Photo is my own.
