Jean Patou Heritage Vacances Eau de Parfum 100ml is a 2014 reinterpretation of one of perfumery's quietly historic fragrances — the original Vacances, created by Henri Alméras for Jean Patou in 1936 to celebrate the introduction of France's first paid summer holidays. Reworked by in-house perfumer Thomas Fontaine, this Heritage edition keeps the original's green-floral character: mimosa and galbanum on top, a heart of lilac, rose and jasmine, and a base of hyacinth, styrax and musk.
About Jean Patou
Jean Patou opened his Parisian couture house in 1914 and is often credited as the inventor of designer sportswear, alongside Coco Chanel and Madeleine Vionnet. The house's perfumery line, founded shortly afterward, produced some of the most influential French fragrances of the 20th century — including Joy (1930) — and the Collection Héritage, launched in 2014 under perfumer Thomas Fontaine, returned the brand's archive perfumes to production with carefully reworked formulations.
Fragrance notes
- Top: Mimosa, Galbanum
- Heart: Lilac, Rose, Jasmine
- Base: Hyacinth, Styrax, Musk
Olfactory family: Floral Green | Original year: 1936 | Heritage edition: 2014 | Original perfumer: Henri Alméras | Heritage perfumer: Thomas Fontaine
The story behind Vacances
"Vacances" — French for "holiday" — was Jean Patou's tribute to the Front Populaire reforms of 1936, which gave French workers the right to two weeks of paid annual leave for the first time. Henri Alméras's original was a soft, springtime composition built around the idea of lilac in a country garden. Thomas Fontaine's Heritage reformulation honours that mood with cleaner top notes, a more contemporary green-floral structure and a polished, modern drydown.
Who it's for
Vacances suits women drawn to vintage-style perfumery and classical green-florals — wearers of Chanel No. 19, Diorissimo or other early-to-mid-20th-century French fragrances who appreciate the more delicate side of the perfumer's wardrobe. Best in spring and early summer, ideal for daytime wear and outdoor occasions; particularly suited to anyone who enjoys floral fragrances with a fresh, herbaceous character rather than dense or sweet ones.
How to wear it
- Spray onto pulse points — wrists, base of the throat, behind the ears — from around 15cm.
- Two to three sprays for daytime; build up gently for longer wear.
- Apply over an unscented body lotion to extend longevity, particularly on dry skin.
Specifications
- Size: 100ml
- Concentration: Eau de Parfum
- Gender: Women
- Brand: Jean Patou (Collection Héritage)
- Original year: 1936 (re-released 2014)
- Original perfumer: Henri Alméras
- Current formulation: Thomas Fontaine
- Made in: France
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