Beyond Daniel Buren’s confrontational black and white columns, now mostly commandeered by marauding children.
Through the gardens where, even in late May, the roses seem in an advanced state of decay.
Like the ladies who, a century or two ago, kept in these gilded cage apartments, once ‘sang’ for their suppers.
Purple arches call, like luminous architectural song birds.
Beckoning to the arcade where “Oncle” holds olfactory court.
In his crepuscular domain of half-remembered destinations, ill-forgotten love affairs and old friends.
All bottled.
The Dandy allowed himself one bell jar from Serge Lutens.
But which to chose?
In the event it came down to three scents.
Two, as you’d expect available only at Palais Royal (and in America occasionally).
One used to be everywhere, then withdrew, and now is only here…
Can you guess which trio of fragrances made up the shortlist?
Scented letters on all three will follow…
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy.
The Perfumed Dandy. 
Hmm…I can’t even begin to guess. But I’m looking forward to reading all about it. 🙂
Dearest Lily
Much delayed – whatever is going on with the post these days!?! – but the first of the scented letters has now arrived… I’ll let you in on a secret, they’re a trilogy.
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
Eagerly anticipating. 🙂
Oh, not sure… Un Voix Noire – the reference to singing? Rose de Nuit – the decaying rose? Other than that I’m flummoxed!
So envious of your trip to Serge Luten’s perfumed arcade. Ah well, next year..!
Dearest Rose
“Close but no cigar” as the great Groucho might have said!
I too have been envious with all my rushing around of late of that magical time you spent on ‘your’ island.
Calm, has been a commodity much in short supply chez Dandy of late.
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
I don’t know which ones are exclusives. . . so a wild guess
Santal de Mysore.
For me De Profindis and thank you
Dearest Tomate
De Profundis is a wonderful perfume. All these suggestions are reminding me of how many Lutens scents there are that I must find the time to write about!
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
I’m afraid I have no idea! Personally, I’m eager to try Une Voix Noire and De Profundis.
Dear Nena
It is Nena, no? I know there’s a pseudonym floating hereabouts!
There’s a clear trend pointing towards these two, perhaps one’s to try again… oh damn, that might mean another trip to Paris: Shame!
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
It is!
I ordered a 5mL decant of De Profundis a couple of days ago. When it gets here, I’ll let you know if it’s worth that return trip!
Dearest Nena
Now, if it’s not, let’s just pretend it is… any excuse to take the train to the City of Light will do The Dandy!
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
Dear Mr Dandy,
My guess is Serge Lutens La Myrrh, which I adore but can never spell without a spell checker. I love the pictorial odyssey you have created with your beautiful photographs. You have given London the Dandy treatment, making it stunningly attractive, and now you have done the same for the City of Love. There is no such thing as too much beauty. Thank you!
Your friend
IScent
Dearest Iscent
Never have there been truer words said than ‘There is no such thing as too much beauty’, especially in a world where there is such a superfluity of the inverse.
As for your guess… now, your spelling and memory may have served you well so far as the shortlist is concerned!
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
Dear Mr Dandy
I am thrilled that I am close in my guesswork!
Your friend
IScent
Do you by any chance still use your email? Once the decant arrives, I would prefer to let you know what I think of it that way.
Dearest Nena
Oh yes… in fact after being somewhat remiss I’ve had a great big clear out today, part of my Summer clean: we Dandies are always just a little behind the time.
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
You know I actually shed tears the last time I was at the Palais Royal. I think it is the most special place in Paris. I love it. And dream of going to that restaurant, one day, whose name has slipped my mind.
In winter, the melancholic, exquisite beauty of the place is almost unbearable.
Dearest Ginza
Le Grand Vefour by any chance?
Oh yes, I’ve ogled the tables there many a time.
The Palais Royal itself was of course a haunt for courtesans, courtiers and apparatchik’s under the ancien regime and the Bourbon Restoration especially, now that must have been the time to pause before a shoe at the Comedie.
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy