April in Paris was even better than wonderful this year. The city blossomed under cloudless skies as uncommonly warm temperatures pushed the season into overdrive. Paths through flowering chestnut trees and overflowing outdoor cafes mimicked scenes from Hollywood films of the 50’s. That’s not as backward a comparison as it sounds. Many of us remember falling in love with Paris in the cool darkness of a movie theatre.
The French wait until May 1 to celebrate spring. You don’t need a calendar to know when this day arrives. Street vendors automatically pop up throughout the city selling small bunches of lilies of the valley. The tradition of offering mini-bouquets to friends as good luck tokens began in the Renaissance court of Charles IX. It’s no surprise that Kate Middleton carried a simple lily of the valley bouquet down Westminster Abbey’s long aisle to take her wedding vows last month.
Lilies of the valley look innocent with their delicate bell-shaped flowers strung on slim stems and light, sweet aroma The truth is, this plant is not a member of the lily family nor is it particularly wholesome. Lily of the valley is a tough perennial with roots that spread underground creating thick entangled knots which are nearly impossible to dig up. If that weren’t enough, all parts of the plant are toxic. So, why is this flower so alluring?
George and I sought the answer at Osmotheque, a perfume museum located one-half hour away in Versailles. Because it collects and preserves over 2350 scents, Osmotheque is a resource and training center for the perfume industry. But twice a month it offers programs to the public. The afternoon we attended the subject was le muguet “moo gay” French for lily of the valley. We sniffed our way through two dozen perfumes each distinctive in its own way. Which one smelled most like lily of the valley?
They all reflected the cameleon nature of le muguet whose fragile blossoms can not hold up to the heat or chemicals used to extract the oils from flowers. There is no natural absolute or perfume essence to serve as an aromatic base. The "nose" as perfumers are called has always played the role or creating and interpreting the scent of lily of the valley. Successful lily of the valley perfumes on the market today include Diorissimo, Muguet Blanc (Van Clef & Arpel), Pleasures (Estee Lauder), Envy (Gucci) and Remember Me (Dior). Each adds an enticing note of its own - the scent of fresh water, jasmine flowers or animal musk - to the suggestible muguet. And they all carry the fresh promise of spring.
