A UNE MADONE Eau de Parfum

Ugandan vanilla surprised Pierre Guillaume with its contradictions: gourmand softness alongside nuances of leather, fruity cocoa and peaty whisky. It brought to mind Charles Baudelaire’s poem À une Madone, where a divine image meets bodily passion. The fragrance takes both its name and its sensual tension from that encounter.

Cardamom and sandalwood draw out vanilla’s warm gourmand side, while a guaiac-wood-and-milk accord adds softness. Myrrh, styrax, guaiac and gurjum nuances join castoreum and civet accords to emphasise a darker, animalic character. Vanilla remains the principal theme, with its sweetness closely tied to wood, resin and leather.

Milky, powdery warmth meets animalic sensuality in a composition that reveals several sides of vanilla. Its appeal lies equally in the softness and in a more provocative leathery, resinous character. À une Madone gives vanilla richness and complexity without reducing it to uniform sweetness.

Want to try this fragrance in a smaller size? A sample is included in the brand’s Discovery Set alongside samples of several other fragrances — to purchase the full set, click here.

Fragrance notes: Cardamom, Ugandan vanilla, guaiac-wood-and-milk accord, sandalwood with animalic nuances; accents of castoreum, civet, myrrh, styrax and gurjum.

This fragrance is for you if: you enjoy rich vanilla fragrances that combine milky softness with resins, a leathery impression and pronounced animalic nuances.

This fragrance may not be your best match if: you expect vanilla to offer only gentle, creamy dessert sweetness without a more provocative, bodily character.

Choose this fragrance if: you want to explore vanilla’s dual character: gourmand warmth and milky woods alongside darker, animalic sensuality.

How to apply — general guidance: spray onto clean, dry skin, for example on the neck or the inside of the wrists. Allow to dry without rubbing. Avoid contact with the eyes and follow the instructions on the packaging.

INGREDIENTS: Alcohol, Parfum (Fragrance), Aqua (Water), Glycerin, alpha-iso-Methylionone, Citrus Limon Oil, Limonene, Tetramethyl acetyloctahydro-naphthalenes, Pinene, Vanillin, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Cinnamyl alcohol, Santalum Album oil, Citral, Linalyl acetate, beta-Caryophyllene, Santalol, Linalool, Benzyl benzoate, Benzyl alcohol.

This ingredient list reflects the latest production version published by Pierre Guillaume. Please also check the list on the packaging of the product purchased.