This year’s flower of choice from Fragonard is the lemon blossom. It may not quite reach the heights of last year’s Lilas, but it’s still an enjoyable, inexpensive novelty. I sampled Fleur de Citronnier in cool weather, but I’m sure it would hit the mark on a hot summer’s day.
The opening medley of citrus notes, led by lemon, creates the impression of icy lemonade. Karine Dubreuil-Sereni keeps the sharpness of the lemon in check by teaming it with grapefruit, lime, orange, and twiggy leafy petitgrain. It recalls the thirst-quenching chill of Dior Homme Cologne.
Eventually, a crisp green apple enters the fray, bringing in a slight sourness. At this point, I’m reminded of the effortless Mediterranean sparkle of Light Blue for Women. The brand lists a jasmine note, but like the D&G, the floral facets feel muted in comparison to the fruit notes. Indeed, the jasmine note is barely perceptible to my nose. It’s certainly not indolic in any way. After 2-3 hours, the perfume settles on a bed of white musk and a well-judged dose of amberwood notes. Nothing is piercing or unsettling, and some other more expensive brands would do well to take note of this more light-handed approach.
The best part of these yearly floral showcases is the price. They’re always very affordable. Fleur de Citronnier retails for AUD 59, and on the Fragonard website, they’re selling it for Euro 22 for 50ml. For that price, you’d be lucky to get a 2ml sample of the latest Roja Dove magic concoction potion elixir intense. They also come with a range of ancillary products, including soaps and diffusers.
Note: The first image is from Fragonard, and all the other photos are my own. I purchased the sample of Fleur de Citronnier.
Here’s a link to my review of last year’s flower, Lilas. Fragonard -Flower of the Year 2024 – Lilas.
Here are some more photos of the lemon blossoms in my garden.
Beautiful captures! The scent sounds great!
Thanks very much, Tetê. Yes, it’s a good one, certainly worth seeking out.
This sounds like a happy fragrance. I also appreciate the accessible pricing of Fragonard, and their lotions etc. are quite good too. I almost went back to buy some more Beau de Provence (figgy) hand cream, but didn’t fancy carrying it around in heat wave temperatures… next time, perhaps!
Yes, their pricing is the best. I agree, their other products are good too.
I much prefer the scent of lemon blossom to orange blossom on the tree. I very much envy your having lemon trees.
I also prefer SL Fleurs de Citronnier over his Fleurs d’Oranger. How does the Fragonard compare to the SL?
I’ve never understood the popularity of Light Blue, not ever the ad of David Gandy in his tighty whities. It smell of nothing, no citrus, no jasmine, nothing.
I’m with you on the lemon blossom vs orange blossom and the SL Fleurs, Alityke. Oddly, despite the similarities in the names I didn’t make the connection with the SL, though. I think it’s because I struggled with both Serge Lutens in the heat. There was something overbearing with his Citronnier in the musky honey base that made it quite difficult for me to wear in the summer. I got the same hot iron musk that I noticed in Gris Clair and Clair de Musc. Even though I’d never consider the SL a heavy scent, it has a richness or density that I don’t get in the Fragonard. I’ve not tried Fleurs de Citronnier since the bottle change, though.
Your lemon blossoms look wonderful, dear Daniel! This kind of scent always appeals to me, even in winter. Hope I get to try it. Thank you for such a beautiful post.
Thanks very much, Rich. I hope you get to try it too.