Grenoville, Byzance, 'Byzantium', 60 ml. or 2 oz. Flacon, Parfum Extrait, 1926, Paris, France ..

Parfums Grenoville is one of those great "obscure" French perfume houses from the 20th century which was established by Paul Grenoville at 20 rue Royale, Paris in 1879. He actually changed his family name from ‘Grenouille’, which means frog in French. The company was associated with Marie Marthe Richard Vive in 1910, and then after 1923 the company was affiliated with Parfise, and won silver medal in 1925.

The business did very well for many many years and the perfumery passed down through numerous hands while producing a prodigious list of releases throughout the teens and 1920s. In 1943 the company even acquired another company, the smaller Parfums de Clamy. Despite surviving two through two World Wars, Grenoville gradually declined. After 1940s, there were fewer releases, one dating from the 1950s which was ‘Esbroufe' and finally 'XX Vincent' was released in 1971. Grenoville perfumes were often housed in Baccarat bottles or those from Les Cristalleries de Nancy.

Byzance by Grenoville, was originally launched under the name Nikys in 1926, but was quickly changed to Byzance, for reasons unknown. It could be that a rival perfumer already trademarked the name Nikys prior to Grenoville. Byzance was considered an opulent 'new' gardenia scent released in 1926 and heavily promoted by Grenoville. The name conjures up the exotic scents of Byzantium .. spices, sandalwood, and amber.

Gardenia is a beautiful decorative shrub with fragrant white flowers. It was named after American botanist Dr Alexander Garden. It grows in the Far East, in India and China. Like jasmine, it was traditionally added to tea. Gardenia symbolizes love, harmony and grace. The intensive sweet floral, silky aroma of gardenia is similar to the scent of jasmine, and as much exciting. With its scandalous, head-turning aroma, the legendary gardenia silences talk of all other flowers. The flowers render a humid, velvety perfume that is smooth and deliciously rich.

"Tuberose is the star here, front and center. Muguet gives it some greenery, but a fine tuberose oil carries with it its own green elements, as does a fine jasmine oil. The sandalwood and amber soften the tuberose, but never take away from its star turn. It’s more a question of lighting, giving the tuberose warmth and a bit of dryness as it develops. The mimosa and heliotrope are too delicate for my nose to detect against the tuberose. Likewise, I get none of the heart notes, but it is interesting to note that they are there, contributing in some way." Basenotes Review. Jack Twist

Top notes are Bergamot, Mimosa, Gardenia, Heliotrope, and Lily of the Valley
Heart notes are Tuberose, Broom, Rosewood, Tobacco, and Lemon Grass
Base notes are Amber, Benzoin, and Sandalwood

Offered here is an increasingly rare bottle of this exotic perfume. The perfume remains sealed and comes in its original presentation box. The perfume has never been used and is in lovely condition. While this perfume has delicious sweet notes, it is more deep and oriental than floral. An oriental beauty!!