Le Jardin de Mon Curé c1895

Le Jardin de Mon Curé by Guerlain, launched in 1895 and created for women by Jacques Guerlain, embodies a deeply personal connection to the past. The name, which translates from French as "The Garden of My Priest," carries a nostalgic and evocative significance. It reflects not just a physical place but also a cherished memory from Jacques Guerlain's childhood, where he recalled leisurely walks with his grandfather through a garden that was once the domain of a local priest.

The phrase "Le Jardin de Mon Curé" conjures images of a serene, pastoral garden, filled with the lush greenery and delicate blooms one might expect to find in such a tranquil setting. It evokes a sense of nostalgia and reverence, transporting the wearer to a time and place imbued with personal significance and timeless beauty. The garden of a priest in the 19th century would likely have been a haven of both religious and natural calm, meticulously cared for and adorned with a variety of traditional flowers and herbs. This might include roses, lavender, and other fragrant botanicals known for their soothing and aromatic properties.

In scent, Le Jardin de Mon Curé would be interpreted as a fragrance that captures the essence of a well-tended garden, rich with floral and herbaceous notes that evoke a sense of peace and nostalgia. It might feature a harmonious blend of soft, classic floral elements such as rose and lavender, intertwined with the earthy, green notes that suggest the freshness and vitality of a garden in bloom. The perfume would aim to encapsulate the beauty and tranquility of those childhood memories, offering a scent experience that is both comforting and elegant.

For women of the time period, a perfume named Le Jardin de Mon Curé would have resonated with the era's appreciation for scents that carried personal stories and sentimental value. The late 19th century was a time when fragrances were increasingly seen as extensions of one's personal identity and emotions. A perfume with such a name would appeal to women who valued both the emotional depth of a fragrance and its ability to evoke the charm and simplicity of a bygone era.

The 1890s were characterized by a fascination with the past and a growing trend towards nostalgia in art and literature. The romantic idealization of pastoral and religious life, as well as a renewed interest in personal and historical connections, made a perfume like Le Jardin de Mon Curé particularly appealing. By invoking the image of a priest's garden—a place traditionally associated with serenity, care, and divine beauty—Guerlain created a fragrance that not only paid homage to a cherished memory but also captured the essence of a simpler, more contemplative time.

 

Fragrance Composition:

What does it smell like? It is classified as a aromatic floral fragrance.

• Top notes: anise, neroli, lemon, carnation
• Middle notes: jasmine, rose, violet, absinthe, clove, verbena
• Base notes: styrax, civet 

Bottles:

Jardin de Mon Cure was originally presented in the Flacon Plat starting in 1895. The bottle was created by Pochet et du Courval. Housed various Guerlain fragrances such as Tsao Ko, Belle France, Dix Petales de Roses, Cyprisine, Le Jardin de Mon Cure, Gavotte, Paris Nouveau, Violette a Deux Sous, Bouquet Mademoiselle, Grande Marechale, Young Princess, and Rodomel.

It was later presented in the quadrilobe flacon in 1938 with the Marly horse label.

Fate of the Fragrance:

Still sold around 1941. Currently discontinued.