Vacances by Jean Patou c1934

Vacances by Jean Patou: launched in 1934 (though some people say it came out in 1936, but this is when Patou trademarked the name). Created by Henri Almeras. The French word Vacances translates to vacations, and this perfume was created to commemorate the introduction of mandatory paid vacation in France.

Vacances was available in parfum and eau de toilette.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? it is a green floral perfume with a dominant note of sweet lilac and clover. It was suggested to be worn by blondes.

• Top notes: aldehydes, hyacinth, red clover and hawthorn
• Heart notes: sweet pea, carnation, honey, lilac, mimosa, rose, heliotrope and galbanum
• Base notes: Mysore sandalwood, oakmoss and musk 

Harper's Bazaar, 1934:

""Vacances" is the latest Patou perfume. It is dry and has a very French air. It is not one of those sweet scents that get so tiresome."

The New Yorker, 1934:

"The arrival of a new Patou perfume is always an event. Patou's scents have a way of making handsome, witty, and wealthy men not only ask for your phone number but also remember it the next day. The latest, Vacances, is a feminine and lovely effort with a note of sweet pea dominating unless my nostrils deceive me."

The New Yorker, 1934:

"Perfumes - There has been an extraordinary swing of the pendulum this year toward the sweet, light, and floral perfumes. Their come-hither is not obvious, but it is deadly in a blonde kind of way. Patou's Vacances smells like clover t its most glamourous."

Bottles:

Fate of the Fragrance:

Discontinued, date unknown. Still being sold in 1969.

The perfume was reformulated by Jean Kerleo and relaunched in 1984 as part of the exclusive Ma Collection, reissued scents from Patou's catalog of discontinued perfumes as well as some new editions.

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a green floral fragrance for women.

• Top notes: hyacinth and hawthorn
• Middle notes: lilac, mimosa, and galbanum
• Base notes: musk

Available as:

• 1 oz Parfum
• 2.5 oz Eau de Toilette Splash
• 1.7 oz Eau de Toilette Spray
• 0.20 oz Eau d Toilette Splash Mini Bottle

2014 Version:

Vacances was reformulated by Thomas Fontaine and relaunched in 2014 as part of the Heritage Collection, a line of reformulated and relaunched Jean Patou classic fragrances.

So what does it smell like? This version is described as a Floral Green fragrance.

• Top notes: fresh, green forest accords
• Middle notes: delicate florals
• Base notes: powder