Hello and welcome! Please understand that this website is not affiliated with Jean Desprez in any way, it is only a reference page for collectors and those who have enjoyed the classic fragrances of days gone by.

One of the goals of this website is to show the present owners of the Jean Desprez perfume company how much we miss the discontinued classics and hopefully, if they see that there is enough interest and demand, they will bring back these fragrances!

Please leave a comment below (for example: of why you liked the fragrance, describe the scent, time period or age you wore it, who gave it to you or what occasion, any specific memories, what it reminded you of, maybe a relative wore it, or you remembered seeing the bottle on their vanity table), who knows, perhaps someone from the current Jean Desprez brand might see it.

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Bal a Versailles - Le Parfum du Jour by Jean Desprez c1971

Bal à Versailles - Le Parfum du Jour by Jean Desprez, launched in 1971, was a fresh, airy interpretation of the classic Bal à Versailles. While it retained the elegance and opulence of the original fragrance, this version was crafted specifically for daytime wear, offering a lighter touch. Though less intense than its predecessor, it still showcased exceptional longevity—a testament to its high-quality formulation. Its concentration as a parfum de toilette (essentially what we now refer to as eau de parfum) struck the perfect balance between strength and subtlety, ensuring it lingered throughout the day.

The lighter composition of Le Parfum du Jour allowed for versatility, making it ideal for women seeking a scent that was both sophisticated and wearable during the day. It captured the same baroque sensibility that defined the original Bal à Versailles but in a way that was airy, fresh, and suitable for a variety of settings. Whether in a professional atmosphere or a more relaxed social setting, this fragrance radiated refinement and timeless grace, making it the ideal choice for the modern woman of the 1970s.

Despite its lighter, fresher composition, the fragrance did not sacrifice complexity or depth. Le Parfum du Jour still carried echoes of the luxurious sensuality of the original Bal à Versailles, drawing from the same rich palette of florals, resins, and spices but interpreted with a brighter, more luminous quality. This made it an appealing choice for women who desired a refined, long-lasting scent without the weight or intensity of a traditional evening fragrance.


Fragrance Composition:


 So what does it smell like? It was a fresher, lighter version of Bal a Versailles, but was extremely long lasting. It was a parfum de toilette (eau de parfum) concentration.

Jardin des arts, Issues 194-199, 1971:
"BAL à VERSAILLES - The daytime perfume by Jean Desprez, a marvel of distinction and freshness, which does not exclude exceptional lasting power. It is, by excellence, the perfume of the refined woman."


Bottles:


The perfume was housed in the beautiful clear crystal amphora shaped bottle, made by Pochet et du Courval. The base of the bottle is acid etched with "Bottle Made in France". The bottles are topped with lucite screw caps.


It was available in the following sizes:
  • 0.17 oz (5ml) splash bottle (mini)
  • 0.50 oz (15ml) splash bottle stands 4.5" tall.
  • 1 oz (30ml) splash bottle stands 5.5" tall.
  • 1.7 oz (50ml) splash
  • 2 oz (60ml) splash bottle stands 7" tall.




photos from ebay seller vivientreasures





Fate of the Fragrance:


This perfume has been discontinued since the 1970s and is very hard to find.

No comments:

Post a Comment