Les Parfums Godet

This comprehensive guide will introduce you to the wonderful world of Les Parfums Godet. Julien-Joseph Godet founded Godet Perfumery in 1901 at 37 rue Saint-Lazare, Paris. The establishment quickly gained a reputation for its exquisite fragrances, contributing to the rich tradition of French perfumery. The location in the bustling heart of Paris was ideal for attracting a sophisticated clientele, and Godet's creations were known for their quality and elegance. This historical context reflects the significance of Godet Perfumery in the early 20th century Parisian culture, continuing the legacy of French excellence in the art of perfumery.

The Godet perfumery company not only sold perfumes but also expanded its range to include toiletries and cosmetics. One notable product was "Ma Poudre" (My Powder), launched in 1911, which showcased a pioneering design and became quite popular.

By 1913, Godet had achieved international success. Unfortunately, this was also the year Julien-Joseph Godet passed away. Following his death, his widow Louise, along with the company's director, Abel Ravaud, took control of the company. That same year, the Rexall Drug Store became the exclusive distributor of Godet's perfumes in the United States, marking a significant milestone in the company's international reach.

Godet Perfumery's excellence was further recognized when they won a gold medal at the 1925 Exposition in Paris for their perfume "Folie Bleue." This fragrance was praised for its exquisite blend of bergamot, violet, and wood notes, highlighting the company's artistry and innovation.

However, the economic challenges of the Great Depression and the disruptions caused by World War II significantly impacted the company, halting the production of new perfumes during these periods.

Godet has been resurrected: http://parfumsgodet.com/

I have listed all of the perfumes I could find, but there may be more.

The perfumes of Godet:

• 1900 Oeillet D'Automne
• 1900 Bouquet de Lilas
• 1900 Bouquet de Muguet
• 1904 Envois de Fleurs
• 1908 Sous-Bois
• 1909 Fleurs de Reine
• 1909 Concentre de Violette
• 1909 Concentre de Rose
• 1909 Concentre de Muguet
• 1909 Concentre de Oeillet
• 1909 Concentre de Iris
• 1909 Concentre de Lilas
• 1909 Concentre de Cyclamen
• 1909 Concentre de Jasmin
• 1910 Gentil Muguet
• 1911 Parfum d'Ambre
• 1911 Trésor de Jasmin
• 1911 Trésor de Violet
• 1911 Trésor de Muguet
• 1911 Trésor des Prairies
• 1911 Trésor de Oeillet
• 1912 Tresor Royale
• 1912 Parfums de Luxe
• 1912 Artistic 
• 1912 Brindilles Parfumées
• 1912 Aubepine Blanche
• 1912 Exquisite
• 1912 Blanche Bruyere
• 1912 Le Secret de Suzette
• 1912 La Rose Jocelyn
• 1912 Violette La France
• 1912 Rose Ambree
• 1913 Jerusalem
• 1913 Parfum d'Islam
• 1913 Marcinah
• 1913 Mondanite
• 1913 Le Coeur D'Une Rose
• 1913 Violette de Parme
• 1914 Rosy Kiss
• 1914 Violet Reve
• 1915 Violette de Nice
• 1917 Selectis
• 1917 Le Mimosa
• 1919 Cyclamen Fleuri
• 1920 Chypre de Godet
• 1920 Heliotrope 
• 1920 Narcisse
• 1920 Gardenia
• 1920 Jasmin
• 1920 Violette
• 1920 La Rose
• 1920 Verveine
• 1920 Fougere
• 1920 Chevrefeuille
• 1921 Petite Fleur Bleue
• 1920 Parmi des Fleurs
• 1921 Cuir de Russie
• 1923 Tut-An-Kham - Parfum Egyptian
• 1924 Divinité
• 1924 Revelation
• 1924 Week End
• 1924 Chant du Soir
• 1925 Bouquet des Amours
• 1925 Week-End
• 1925 Fleur Noire
• 1925 Divin Mensonge
• 1925 Nuit D'Amour (This is the re-branded fragrance 'Soir de Lune' by Brecher)
• 1925 Folie Bleue
• 1927 Jasmin Fleuri
• 1927 Marjolaine
• 1927 Charmant Lilas
• 1927 Bouquet Essences
• 1929 Les Fourgeres
• 1929 Predilection
• 1953 Week-End, relaunched
• 1950s Spring

Chant du Soir is a floral chypre fragrance for women, offering a complex and captivating scent profile. Here is a detailed breakdown of its notes:

Top Notes:

• Bergamot: Provides a fresh, citrusy opening with a hint of sweetness and tartness.
• Lily of the Valley: Adds a delicate, floral freshness that complements the bergamot.

Middle Notes:

• Rose: Contributes a rich, classic floral aroma.
• Jasmine: Brings an exotic, sweet floral note.
• Carnation: Adds a spicy floral nuance, enhancing the middle notes with a touch of warmth.

Base Notes:

• Amber: Offers a warm, resinous, and slightly sweet undertone.
• Oakmoss: Provides a deep, earthy, and slightly woody character typical of chypre fragrances.
• Musk: Adds a sensual, animalic depth.
• Sandalwood: Contributes a creamy, woody, and slightly sweet base.
• Civet: Introduces a bold, musky, and slightly animalic note, adding to the fragrance's complexity and longevity.

Chant du Soir's composition artfully balances fresh, floral, and woody elements, creating a sophisticated and enduring scent.

Cosmetics & Toiletries:

Brilliantine:

• Bouquet D'Heliotrope
• Bouquet de Muguet
• Bouquet Lilas
• Brindilles Parfumees
• Coeur d'Une Rose
• Cyclamen
• Charmant Lilas
• Chevrefeuille
• Chypre
• Chypre de Godet
• Divinite
• F1eurs de Reine
• Folie Bleue
• Gardenia
• Gentil Muguet
• Les Fougeres
• Marjolaine
• Mimosa
• Oeillet d'Automne
• Parmi les Fleurs
• Petite Fleur Bleue
• Rose Ambree
• Rose Joselyn
• Sous Bois
• Tresor de Violette
• Violette de Nice
• Violette de Parme

Rouge:

• Mandarine
• Brunette
• Blonde

Lipstick
Eyeliner

Face Powder Compacts:

• Parmi les Fleurs
• Petite Fleur Bleue
• Rose Ambree
• Sous Bois
• Tresor de Violette

Talc:

• Chypre Godet
• Divinite
• Gentil Muguet
• Oeillet d'Automne
• Parmi les F1eurs
• Petite Fleur Bleu
• Rose Ambree
• Sous Bois
• Tresor de Violette

Bath Salts:

• Petite F1eur Bleue

Perfumed Sachet:

• Folie Bleue
• Petite F1eur Bleue

The Winnipeg Tribune, 1912:

"GODET'S PERFUMES, In the following odors, lithographed and embossed boxes: Aubepine, Blanche Bruyere, Cyclamen, Lilas, Muguet, and Violette $1.50 and $2.50 each. The following odors in beautiful lithographed and embossed boxes: Brindilles Parfumees, Le Secret de Suzettes, Rose Ambree, and Tresor de Violette $2.50 each. The following odors in cut Baccarat bottles, embossed and lithographed boxes: Tresor Royals, Tresor de Muguet, Tresor de Jasmine, Parfumea de Luxe, Violette de France, Le Rose Jocelyn $6.00 each. The same odors as above, in leather box $7.50 each. "Exquisite," cut glass bottle, decorated in gold, enamel portrait, in leather satin-lined jewel case $15.00."

Bottles:

 

Godet Perfumery was known for its exquisite perfume bottles, which displayed some of the finest labels of the era. The company collaborated with renowned glassmakers to create these elegant containers, adding to the prestige and allure of their fragrances. These beautifully crafted bottles not only held Godet's exquisite perfumes but also served as a testament to the artistry and sophistication of early 20th-century perfumery.

Baccarat Bottles:

Cristalleries de Baccarat was a significant supplier for many of Godet's perfume bottles. Some notable design numbers include:

• #116: This design was also used by Annick Goutal.
• #118
• #280
• #626

These Baccarat bottles were celebrated for their craftsmanship and artistic design, making them highly desirable among collectors and perfume enthusiasts.  

H. Saumont Bottles:

H. Saumont produced red opaque glass flacons for Godet, which were also utilized by the Lionceau perfume company for their fragrances. These bottles are notable for their distinctive color and quality.

Depinoix Bottles:

Other bottles for Godet perfumes were made by Depinoix, adding to the variety and uniqueness of the packaging options used by the company.

Mini Dram Bottles:

More commonly found are the mini dram bottles for various Godet perfumes, which date back to the 1920s and 1930s. These smaller bottles were popular during this period and are now considered collectible items, reflecting the company's history and the era's aesthetic.

 

The 1930 advertisement below for Gouvernent, a luxury perfume box manufacturer, highlights their collaboration with Godet Perfumery by showcasing the presentation box for the perfume "Divin Mensonge." This advertisement is particularly significant as it may contain the only known image of the perfume's box currently in existence.

Gouvernent Presentation Box:

• Manufacturer: Gouvernent, known for crafting luxury perfume boxes.
• Perfume: Divin Mensonge by Godet.
• Significance: The box featured in this advertisement is potentially the only existing image of the "Divin Mensonge" presentation box.
• Era: The advertisement dates back to 1930, offering a glimpse into the luxurious packaging of the time.

This collaboration between Godet and Gouvernent exemplifies the attention to detail and the emphasis on high-quality presentation in the perfumery industry during the early 20th century. The rarity of this image adds to the historical and collectible value of the "Divin Mensonge" perfume and its packaging.