Lanvin Arpège Eau de Parfum 100ml is one of the great floral aldehydes of 20th-century perfumery, originally created in 1927 by perfumers André Fraysse and Paul Vacher as a 30th birthday gift from Jeanne Lanvin to her musician daughter Marie-Blanche. The name comes from "arpeggio" — the musical term for a chord played in succession — and the composition reflects this with more than 60 floral essences arranged in layered harmony. The current Eau de Parfum, reformulated by Hubert Fraysse in 1993, preserves the original structure: a sparkling aldehydic opening, a vast white-floral heart, and a deep sandalwood-vanilla base.
Fragrance notes
- Top: Aldehydes, Bergamot, Neroli, Peach, Honeysuckle
- Heart: Rose, Jasmine, Lily-of-the-Valley, Ylang-Ylang, Iris, Tuberose, Coriander
- Base: Sandalwood, Vanilla, Vetiver, Patchouli, Musk, Amber, Benzoin
Olfactory family: Floral Aldehyde | Launched: 1927 (reformulated 1993)
The story behind Arpège
Jeanne Lanvin commissioned Arpège to honour her daughter's musical talent — André Fraysse was 27 at the time and had Paul Vacher's collaboration. The black-ball flacon, designed by Armand-Albert Rateau, features a gold silhouette of Jeanne and her daughter that became Lanvin's emblem. Arpège is widely considered one of the five greatest perfumes ever made, alongside Chanel No. 5, Shalimar, Joy and L'Air du Temps. It won the FiFi Hall of Fame Award in 2005.
Who is this fragrance for?
Arpège suits women who appreciate classical, full-bodied florals with depth and warmth. Often compared to Chanel No. 5, Arpège is generally read as warmer, deeper and more full-bodied — less sparkling, more golden. It's an evening fragrance for autumn and winter, although it can be worn year-round in cooler climates. Ideal for formal occasions, dinner, and any context where you want timeless elegance.
Specifications
- Size: 100ml
- Concentration: Eau de Parfum
- Gender: Women
- Brand: Lanvin
- Year: 1927 (current formulation 1993)
- Perfumers: André Fraysse & Paul Vacher (original); Hubert Fraysse (1993 reformulation)
Frequently asked questions
How long does Arpège last?
Longevity is above average — typically 6–8 hours with moderate-to-strong sillage in the first hour. The sandalwood-vanilla base anchors the fragrance and gives it good staying power.
Is Arpège similar to Chanel No. 5?
Both are aldehydic florals from the same golden era of French perfumery. Arpège tends to read warmer, deeper and more full-bodied, while Chanel No. 5 reads brighter and more sparkling. Many wearers own both for different moods or seasons.
What does Arpège smell like?
A "fragrance of 1,000 flowers" — sparkling aldehydes lift a vast bouquet of white florals (jasmine, ylang-ylang, lily-of-the-valley, rose), grounded in creamy sandalwood and warm vanilla. Powdery, sophisticated, and unmistakably French.
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