Indian Summer c1972

Indian Summer by Houbigant: launched in 1972. The fragrance was available in cologne and dusting powder.


It is classified as a green floriental fragrance for women with dry, herbal and spicy facets.

• Top notes: aldehydes, bergamot, narcissus, galbanum
• Middle notes: carnation, lavender, cinnamon, cloves
• Base notes: sandalwood, oak moss, vetiver, ambergris, patchouli, musk, vanilla

Discontinued, date unknown.

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Aperçu by Houbigant c1984

Aperçu by Houbigant: originally launched in 1984. The name means "insight" in French.

In 1984, the powers that be at Houbigant were looking for a name for a new fragrance, two names were chosen, Aperçu and Lutece. At the time, Aperçu was not available for registration and the selection of Lutece was finalized.  A lawsuit ensued as there was a restaurant named Lutece who objected to Houbigant's use of the word Lutece as a fragrance name. However, Houbigant did win the chance to use the name Lutece as a fragrance line. When Aperçu was finally available to be used by Houbigant, it was launched in 2000.

Iris des Champs c2014

Iris des Champs by Houbigant: launched in 2014.

Quelques Fleurs Royale by Houbigant c2004

Quelques Fleurs Royale by Houbigant: launched in 2004.

Orangers en Fleurs by Houbigant c2012

Orangers en Fleurs by Houbigant: launched in 2012.

Quelques Roses by Houbigant c1997

Quelques Roses by Houbigant: launched in 1997.

Demi-Jour c1987

Demi-Jour by Houbigant: launched in 1987. The perfume was a resurrection of Houbigant's 1933 perfume of the same name. I am not sure if the notes are similar though.

Lutece by Houbigant c1984

Lutece by Houbigant: launched in 1984. Apparently, "Lutece" was the old name for the city of Paris.

Esprit de Noel by Houbigant c1968

Esprit de Noel by Houbigant: launched in 1968. “Esprit de Noel” means “spirit of Christmas.” It was available as eau de cologne and as a room essence. You would add a few drops to a light bulb to fragrance your room with a holiday air.

Premier Mai by Houbigant c1928

Premier Mai by Houbigant: launched in 1908.

Quelques Violettes by Houbigant c1914

Quelques Violettes was originally launched way back in the late 1700s, when it was reportedly a favorite of Queen Marie-Antoinette. Houbigant was her personal perfumer. It was discontinued for decades before being reformulated and relaunched in 1914, but this too was discontinued in the 1960s.


"HOUBIGANT QUELQUES VIOLETTES —a delicate combination of violet scents — with the distinctively “woody" odor. A perfume of wistful charm and beauty that yields forth the inmost nature of the violet."

Le Parfum Ideal by Houbigant c1896

Le Parfum Ideal was created by Houbigant by in house perfumer, Paul Parquet in 1896, but it was launched for the first time at the 1900 Worlds Fair, along with another perfume Coeur de Jeanette.

The quintessential label for Le Parfum Ideal features a Gibson Girl sniffing a flower, this label was made of gilded foil and heavily embossed.

Quelques Fleurs by Houbigant c1912

Quelques Fleurs by Houbigant: launched in 1912, created by perfumer Robert Bienaime, was said to be one of the first floral bouquet perfumes ever produced.

Essence Rare by Houbigant c1928

Essence Rare was created in 1928. Story goes that Houbigant wanted a big time aldehyde perfume to compete with Chanel’s no. 5, so Roure-Bertrand chemist Paul Schving created Essence Rare.

Chantilly by Houbigant/Dana c1940

Chantilly by Houbigant: launched in 1940. The fragrance was created by "nose" Marcel Billot and named after the famous Chantilly laces.