Houbigant, Premier Mai, 'The First of May', Lily of the Valley, 600 ml. or 20.28 oz. Flacon, Parfum Extrait, 1908, Paris, France ..

The illustrious perfume House Houbigant has been in business in some form or another since the late 1700's and is still in business today. There is so much that could be written about Houbigant that it would take a book to fully address all of the achievements of this amazing fragrance company. Houbigant’s two perfumers Paul Parquet and Robert Bienaimee revolutionized perfumery and their work would influence many generations that would follow. The important innovations that they brought to the world of perfumery include creating multi faceted fragrances, using synthetic materials to achieve complex scents and creating beautiful imagery to perfume packaging, flacons and advertising.

Houbigant was the favourite perfumer of Marie Antoinette and Madame de Pompadour. After the French Revolution, the business .. now managed by his descendants .. continued to prosper during the Napoleon’s Empire, and in 1838 Houbigant perfumes reached the dressing table of Queen Victoria. At the threshold of the 20th century, Houbigant incorporated Art Nouveau and oriental influences, and in the twenties and thirties it turned to the geometry of Art Deco. Houbigant created such evocative perfumes as Fougère Royal and Le Temps des Lilas.

Premier Mai .. the First of May .. was launched in 1908, to celebrate the spring. And the spring time in France always celebrates the Muguet or Lily of the Valley flowers at that time. The First of May is a Public Holiday in France, officially known as La Fête du Travail or National Labour Day .. but also called La Fête du Muguet or Lily of the Valley Day.

It is a tradition on this day to offer a sprig of lily-of-the-valley or “Muguet” to loved ones, and in the week leading up to May Day you can buy bunches of this fragrant spring flower in every florist and most supermarkets, either as cut flowers or as plants in pots.

Ever since its introduction from Japan to Europe in the Middle Ages, Lily of the Valley had been regarded as a lucky charm by the Celtic folks.

The French tradition of giving Lily of the Valley flowers on May Day is supposed to have begun on May 1st, 1561, when King Charles IX of France was presented with a bunch of Lily of the Valley flowers as a token of luck and prosperity for the coming year. History does not record who it was that presented the king with this perfumed gift, but he took a shine to this idea and began the custom of presenting Muguet flowers to the ladies of his court each year on May 1st.

There was also an old European tradition of “Bals de Muguet” or Lily of the Valley dances; once a year, this was a rare occasion for young singles to meet without having to get parents’ permission. The girls would dress in white and the boys would wear a sprig of muguet as a buttonhole.

From around 1900, it became traditional in France for men to present a bouquet of Muguet flowers to their sweethearts to express their love and affection. Nowadays Muguet flowers are also given as a general token of appreciation between close friends and family members.

Offered here is a beautiful delicate flacon of this lovely springtime fragrance .. It is delicate and sweet, and perfect as a summer fragrance or for a young beautiful girl just starting out.

Top notes are Orange Blossom, Neroli, and Bergamot
Heart notes are Rose, Magnolia, and Lily of the Valley
Base notes are Sandalwood, and Heliotrope

A light and beautiful Muguet fragrance, still smelling enchanting today. So special and sweet, especially for a younger woman. Paper label a bit degraded. I do have its original cardboard box. Splash it on .. from this huge bottle. The bottle is still sealed and has never been used ..