Parfums-Jardins Perfume’s Perfumer JCE is perhaps the most renowned figure in the world of perfumes. His full name is Jean Claude Ellena, born in the perfume haven of Grasse, and the top student at the Chudnovsky Perfume Institute. After graduating, he worked for prestigious fragrance companies such as Chudnovsky and De Laire. Despite his rigorous academic background, his fragrance style is dynamic, blending minimalism with poetry. Consequently, he is widely hailed by fragrance enthusiasts as the ‘haiku poet of the perfume world.’
Upon joining Hermès in 2004, JCE not only crafted Parfums-Jardins Perfume but also stepped into the limelight, participating in product promotion. The Parfums-Jardins Perfume he created, such as Hermès Un Jardin En Méditerranée, became essential choices for many, propelling Hermès to the top of the commercial fragrance market. JCE himself became a bona fide ‘celebrity perfumer.’
Today, let’s explore the magical scents planted by JCE in his 5 gardens.
Un Jardin Sur Le Nil
In Egyptian culture, the lotus flower in the Nile symbolizes the cycle of life. This perfume prominently features the scents of lotus and green mango. The delicate fragrance of lotus is blended with the aroma of green mango peel, creating a refreshing aquatic sensation in the air, as if one is experiencing the pleasant flow of a summer stream nearby.
Blogger’s Review:
Green grass and lotus fragrance. The overall feeling is like walking by a water body filled with blooming lotus flowers on a summer evening. Among the three gardens, this one is the most feminine, with a noticeable fragrance (this statement emphasizes its difference from the previous two gardens – Mediterranean and Rain Lily, which are not fragrant at all). It exudes a gentle and somewhat distant feeling, making it relatively easy to be appreciated; it’s currently my favorite among the three gardens.
Its green grass fragrance is currently the closest to the grassy scent I desire – it’s fresh, juicy, and tender grass, not the hay-like scent found in the green wilderness. The fragrance has rich layers and is intriguing. It’s currently the one I’m using the fastest. In the first few seconds, there is a very distinct grassy scent, slightly bitter, followed by a very subtle hint of orange sweetness. The floral scent starts to emerge. In the middle notes, there’s a soft floral fragrance, mainly from the lotus flower, resembling a garden by the water on a summer night, with the feeling of a gentle breeze (perfectly in line with its name). It’s very soothing, a blend of the scent of trees and flowers, with a slightly heavier texture than pure floral fragrances. Interestingly, on the first day of using it, I didn’t feel that it was a perfume that brings joy; instead, it seemed to create a sense of constriction. However, as the day ended, standing under the shower at night, catching whiffs of lotus fragrance behind my ears, I suddenly felt in a good mood. The more I use it, the more I love it, and now it has become an indispensable fragrance. Many friends around me also enjoy its scent.
Un Jardin Apres la Mousson
Inspired by JCE’s journey to India, Un Jardin Apres la Mousson captures the essence of the post-monsoon landscape. Its fragrance resembles the moist scene of the earth after rain: fresh and tender green grass, scattered small flowers, instantly revitalizing. It also carries a faint salty taste from the spices, aligning perfectly with the characteristics of India, known for its rich spice culture.
Blogger’s Review:
Perhaps because Un Jardin Après la Mousson was the last one I tried in the entire Garden series, I somehow preconceived that this one must also have a light fragrance. So, the first time I tried it, I sprayed several times…
The sensation was really super spicy! ¬(▽4)( Ginger and cardamom are the most prominent to my nose, especially the ginger, which is fresh and juicy, giving an overall sensation of spiciness with a wet and cool feeling, perfectly in line with the theme of the “monsoon.”
Many reviews mentioned melon/cantaloupe/watermelon or cucumber, but I didn’t have those associations. However, Un Jardin Après la Mousson does have a subtle sweetness that blends with the damp atmosphere, and I can understand the melon associations. Personally, I feel that this damp, subtle sweetness is somewhat akin to the rich, muffled ripeness of plants in high humidity, almost decaying, closely tied to the theme of the “monsoon.”
The changes in Un Jardin Après la Mousson are not significant, just that the woody elements gradually become more pronounced. The longevity is approximately 7-8 hours, with a moderate projection.
Perfumes inspired by India often lean towards warm spicy notes. Therefore, Un Jardin Après la Mousson, with its combination of spiciness and damp coolness, creating a fragrance with conflict, stands out as unique. It makes it suitable for use in summer for its coolness and in winter for its spiciness. Although in the entire Garden series, this one might not be the most immediately likable at first glance, personally, I find it to be the most distinctive, impactful, and intriguing. If you’re interested in the interpretation of damp, cool spicy notes, Un Jardin Après la Mousson is definitely worth a try!
Un Jardin Sur Le Toit
Launched in 2011, Un Jardin Sur Le Toit is the result of an unexpected encounter in the heart of Paris, in the air garden situated at the center of Hermès. This fragrance blends the scents of fruits, plants, and fresh flowers, exuding a fresh and joyful aroma under the lights of Paris. It presents a sensory and soulful feast, suitable for both men and women to enjoy. The inspiration for its creation comes from the luxurious and exquisite garden atop the Hermès headquarters at 24 Rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré. The bottle of Hermes Un Jardin Sur Le Toit transitions from dark grass green to light green, representing the fragrance of plants, flowers, and fruits in the garden, capturing the changing seasons. Its refreshing and sweet aroma includes notes of apple, pear, rose, green grass, basil, and magnolia. Perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena designed this perfume and was deeply drawn to the beautiful garden: “As soon as I stepped in there, the delightful scents of wild grass, apple, pear, magnolia, and rose would envelop me, penetrating all my senses. It is indeed a joyful and magical texture that makes us cherish life.”
Blogger’s Review:
Ever since I bought it in Japan, I haven’t stopped using it because I love its scent so much. It feels like it can be used in both spring and summer, and using it in autumn or winter would be out of place. Compared to other perfumes that are easily forgotten, it’s like a unique and delicately romantic young girl. The initial intention to buy it was due to hearing about the fame of the Four Gardens, which many people praised. I was curious if it was really as magical as it seemed to captivate so many people. Later, I had the chance to try the Indian Garden, which I found quite elegant, thinking that the other three must be excellent as well. However, for some reason, I never had the opportunity to smell the other three until a magical encounter happened with the Roof Garden in Osaka during the summer. At that time, the duty-free store only had this one from the Four Gardens series, and its packaging was beautiful, like a piece of art. The bottle had a gradient from light green to pale green, and it was adorned with a simple square shape and a champagne-colored cap. Upon trying it, you know, in that scorching heat that almost roasted people alive, coupled with the fatigue of travel, smelling it was like a rescue. The scent of fresh grass is very direct, and it feels like the whole person is enveloped by the fragrance of fresh grass after a gentle rain. Gradually, the scent of sweet apple comes through, and you can imagine the appearance of the apple – pink, with faint yellow patterns in the middle, biting into it feels crisp, and chewing releases a sweet juice from the unripe apple. The gentle scent of magnolia permeates the entire fragrance, and for a long time, I only smell magnolia until now, every time I use it, I always feel like magnolia is caressing my cheeks. I can’t even detect the rose scent that I dislike. The scent of rose harmoniously blends into the overall fragrance. This clear and sweet fragrance somehow brought the word “French” to my mind as the first impression of the Roof Garden, because in my eyes, French is synonymous with romance. Pleading with my mom to buy it, the joy and excitement at the moment of receiving it are truly indescribable. In any case, I was happy for a very long time, just like its long-lasting scent. Several times I used it, and people praised it, saying it smells like spring. Perhaps Un Jardin Sur Le Toit is just this romantic, unique, with a magical ability to make people feel as if they are in a spring garden.
Le Jardin de Monsieur Li
Le Jardin de Monsieur Li is JCE’s final work in the Garden series, taking the concept of “simplicity” to the extreme. He chose only delicate jasmine, sweet and sour kumquat, and a small amount of refreshing mint. The quietness of kumquat, the elegance of jasmine, recreates the image of a Lingnan household or a Suzhou courtyard in the minds of many Chinese. JCE drew inspiration from his memories of Chinese gardens, creating a marvelous fragrance that exists between reality and fantasy. Immersed in the enchanting citrus and coriander flower scent, it feels like strolling and meditating in a garden, where every fleeting thought is unintentionally released and blends with nature.
Blogger’s Review:
Currently one of my favorite perfumes, it was originally a sample that came with the purchase of Un Jardin Sur Le Toit. The first sniff left me pleasantly surprised, inexplicably good. Later, I caught a whiff of this Monsieur Li’s garden on a handsome guy passing by in the crowd, and it lingered on my nose for a long time. Eventually, I got a full-size bottle. I think I will repurchase this fragrance for a lifetime.
I’ve always loved perfumes with citrus notes, enjoying the slightly bitter sensation that awakens the senses. The subsequent tranquility slowly calms me down, much like the shock when entering a foreign land and then settling down to feel its charm. The coriander and mint notes in this fragrance are also my favorites, and it’s magical how these scents blend together without appearing too ordinary or monotonous. Every time I encounter a guy wearing this, it gives me a refined and elegant feeling. If I meet a girl wearing this fragrance, I think I would fall in love with her. It’s suitable for spring and summer, very fresh.
Un Jardin En Méditerranée
The Mediterranean Garden was JCE’s high-scoring debut, simulating the vibrant sunlight along the Mediterranean coast using bitter fig leaves, fresh citrus, and a hint of milky sweetness. Inhaling it feels like strolling among fig trees, enjoying the gentle fragrance in the breeze.
Blogger’s Review:
After many years, my love for the Mediterranean remains undiminished, especially after personally visiting Mediterranean countries, where I feel this fragrance truly captures the essence. The English description on the box behind the Mediterranean Garden vividly depicts it: a fantastical journey of emotion and scent inspired by the coastal gardens of the Mediterranean, featuring fig trees, cypress trees, and dappled sunlight.
For me, this perfume carries the authentic scent of intense sunlight, not the warm and gentle sunlight but the scorching sun along the Mediterranean coast. It permeates the sea, bathes the beaches, and the air is filled with salty sea breeze and the scent of sun-baked sand. Under the high temperature, the green bitterness of fig leaves brings a unique and pleasant feeling. This sensation persists from start to finish, a full-fledged Mediterranean summer atmosphere.
The opening features citrus notes dominated by fragrant lemon, Hermes’ signature olfactory symbol. However, beyond that, it is more about the aroma of bitter fig leaves, the green bitterness complemented by the intense sunlight, creating a hot and bitter medicinal scent that may initially scare some away, causing them to overlook its beauty.
In the middle notes, the sweet and mature fruity scent emerges, the bitterness diminishing, accompanied by the woody fragrance of cypress and pine, interspersed with a warm mist. The dry down features a base of pine, cypress, and fig tree, a woody aroma dominated by the Mediterranean flora. The mist evaporates, leaving a very comfortable fragrance. Overall, although the opening is robust, as it progresses, it becomes increasingly gentle and pleasant, like a well-aged wine that becomes more delicious with each sip.
Conclusion:
Parfums-Jardins Perfume series, crafted by the renowned perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena, offers a delightful olfactory journey through enchanting gardens. From the sun-soaked Un Jardin En Mediterranee to the post-monsoon magic of Un Jardin Apres la Mousson, each fragrance captures the essence of nature with a unique blend of scents. Un Jardin Sur Le Nil and Un Jardin Sur Le Toit evoke the beauty of Egyptian lotus and the charm of a rooftop garden in Paris, while Le Jardin de Monsieur Li brings simplicity to perfection with jasmine, kumquat, and mint. These fragrances seamlessly blend memories, cultures, and nature, creating a captivating collection for Parfums-Jardins Perfume enthusiasts.