Patchouli
Written on 17 February 2023
It’s name conjures memories of a groovy period of history not so long ago; the 60’s and 70’s is when Patchouli boogied down as the brick house of olfactive notes. Patchouli essence was often concentrated into small bottles, with just one or two drops enough to perfume the coolest cat all day long.
Its association with the « hippy » lifestyle created a polarizing effect for Patchouli, and it became almost a political statement to wear it.
Patchouli is a complex fragrance which deserves a deeper look into its history, long predating the 60’s and 70’s.
Where does it come from? Patchouli is a sizeable shrub (no wonder it was popular in the 70’s!) which is cultivated mostly in Indonesia, India, and the Philippines. It was imported to England in the 19th century, and used in pots-pourris during the Victorian era.
It next came to France where its scent was quickly associated with « cocottes » which were wrapped in cashmere shawls from India, within which patchouli leaves were hidden to keep mites away. Patchouli was quickly associated with being « chic » in France, so it quickly made its entry into the world of perfumery.
The essence of Patchouli is captured by drying and distilling its leaves. Its scent is earthy, occasionally with a touch of camphor, and is often compared with the scent of cork or an over-ripe apple.
The creation of the “Chypre” olfactive family of in 1917 by René Coty allowed patchouli, associated with oak moss as a base note, to make its mark in the upper echelons of fine perfumery
Today Patchouli is an important note within perfume creation, (for both « masculine » and « feminine » perfumes) thanks to its remarkable polyvalence: it marries just as well with vetiver to which it accentuates the smoky notes, as it does with vanilla in « gourmand » perfumes to which it adds a touch of sensuality, or with sandalwood where it brings elegance… these are just a few examples.
At Galimard patchouli can be found in our best-sellers Féminissime, Mezzanotte as well as in many others.
For those feeling a bit nostalgic for those rebellious years of « Peace and Love » who wish to have patchouli at its purest, try out our Eau de Cologne Patchouli : pure, authentic, and dynamic.
See also
Interview: professional portrait of Véronique, Galimard’s longest-serving guide
Written on 2 June 2025
Welcome to Galimard! We would like to introduce you to one of our team members: Véronique The most tenured guide of our legendary perfume house is Véronique, a véritable jack of all trades. She welcomes, teaches, and guides clients from across the world through the Galimard factory with a professionalism and humor that leaves a […]
HÉRITAGE – An Ode to Grasse
Written on 22 April 2025
As we saw with Ruby Chéri, beautiful stories often begin with a meaningful encounter. This spring of 2025, our Maison de Parfums embarks on a new chapter with the launch of HÉRITAGE—a fragrant tribute to the city where perfumery was born and flourished. At its heart, HÉRITAGE is also a story of encounters, and we […]
Celebrating 10 years of «Napoléon 1815»
Written on 12 March 2025
March 2025 marks a special moment for the history of France – it marks the landing of Napoleon Bonaparte on his return from the Island of Elba in 1815. To commemorate the date, celebrations are organized in Vallauris and Golfe-Juan. Re-enactments in traditional costume, conferences, shows… the program is rich with cultural meaning and attracts […]