Fragonard, Belle de Nuit, 'Beauty of the Night', 60 ml. or 2 oz. Flacon, Parfum Extrait, 1947, Paris, France ..

Fragonard's historic perfume factory in the heart of the Old Town is one of the oldest in Grasse. Their present premises has housed perfume making from their inception in 1782. The company was established on Boulevard Fragonard, in Grasse when Eugene Fuchs bought the existing company named Mottet in 1782. The house of Fragonard still creates and manufactures high-class fragrances and produces perfume for other well-known perfume houses as well. A well known example of this was 'Blue Grass’ which Fragonard made for Elizabeth Arden. Grasse is where most of the flowers for perfumery are grown in France.

In 1926 the perfumery took the name of Parfumerie Fragonard as a tribute to the famous painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard. Here on a daily basis they produce their perfumes, cosmetics and soaps in a setting imbued with respect for tradition. The Historic Factory is located at 20 Boulevard Fragonard, in Grasse and is open to visitors. There is a beautiful perfume museum attached to the premises. It is one of the great early perfume houses that is still in full production.

"Belle de Nuit is an original, deep rich harmony of flowers and fruit on a warm velvety bottom note of musk. A precious fragrance, as magical as an Arabian night!"

Belle de Nuit was launched in 1947 by Fragonard. It was named after a flower of great beauty that only opens its petals at night .. not to the sun .. but to the moon. It is classified as a fruity floral oriental fragrance for women.
"Belle de Nuit is a strong floral musk which reminds you of that hot, sand-coloured and sun-washed places and the oriental air of their women."

"Belle de Nuit is indeed a beauty .. exquisitely composed of night blooms, fruits and a sultry musky amber base. Although the official florals are mirabilis, rose, geranium, violets accompanied by plum, I pick up indolic white flowers, jasmine and tuberose in addition to the rose-geranium.

Belle de Nuit is a strong, sexy and heavier floral, and very classic and traditional in that it is formulated like perfumes of the past, not the recent "fresh", sugary concoctions. It comes across as a very light floriental, and it reminds me very much of a airier, whiter Tresor with its floral top notes and subtle Musky-Ambery basenotes, without Tresor's compelling sillage.

The top notes are very bright, white florals, and the opening is a heady, pretty bouquet that is fresh yet indolic and not too sweet or cloying. This quickly makes way for the opulent, softly powdered oriental heart which slowly curls around the body and warms the night air. There is no overwhelming intoxication, la Belle de Nuit is a sultry, feminine, maddeningly seductive but elusive presence, not a femme fatale who demands urgent passions. It is a bold but classically sophisticated temptress." Basenotes Review, Qwerty

There aren't any really clear structural notes available, but I have been able to piece together this possible outline ..

Top notes are Citrus, Bergamot, Mandarin, and Orange Blossom
Heart notes are Jasmine, Tuberose, Geranium, Mirabilis, Rose, Plum, and Violet
Base notes are Amber, Sandalwood, Vetiver, and Tonka Bean

Offered here is a magnificent two ounce bottle of this heavenly perfume. Just a beautiful classic which is hard to find today ..