Bocages by Lancome c1935

Bocages by Lancôme is a classic fragrance that was introduced in 1935. The name "Bocages" translates to "Groves" in French, evoking images of lush, green landscapes filled with trees and shrubs. This fragrance reflects the natural and serene qualities associated with such environments. Lancôme, a renowned French luxury perfumes and cosmetics house, has a long history of creating elegant and sophisticated scents, and Bocages is a part of this esteemed legacy.

Fragrance Composition:

Notes at a glance:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a light, airy, fresh floral fragrance for women.

• Top notes: orange blossom, honeysuckle, aldehydes, green note, mimosa, geranium, linden, hawthorn, acacia
• Middle notes: pepper, jasmine, gardenia, French lilac, Dutch honeysuckle, Mountain lily of the valley, rose
• Base notes: English violet leaves, sandalwood, oakmoss, musk, tonka bean, patchouli, vetiver

Armand Petitjean, creator of the perfume explains:

" Bocages is a fragrant array of spring. It exudes the smell of a tender bud, the sap rising, shrubs just beginning to bring the light and color of the mist ... The freshness and relaxed style of Bocages is perfect for younger women and will seduce Swedes, Norwegians, Belgians, Germans, and the women of northern France."

 Paris-Alger, 1935:

"Lancome...These five new scents are: Kypre, velvety and flowery, deeper than ordinary chypre; Tendres Nuits, whose sweetness of exotic fruits surprises with a lavender opening; Bocages, scent of blonde, young and laughing, whose honeysuckle seems to emerge from a double base of jasmine and mimosa; Conquête, an aroma of intimate luxury, of the same inspiration as Chanel's 5, although the smell is different; Tropiques, which is exhaled in surprises, like a warm symphony in which the brilliance of the brass surprises."

Times Colonist, 1946:

"The sap of young shoots and dewy buds, faint traces of lily of the valley, gusts of lilac and the air heavy with the sharp and slightly heady scent of the tiny honeysuckle with its creamy brown flecked blossoms. Charming, youthful, with a tough of the languor which accompanies the first days of spring."

Combat, 1954:

"Eau parfumee a Bocages de Lancome: it's a spring breeze that brings this scent, after having razed the woods, by picking honeysuckle, the gardens by stripping the geraniums, after having made the linden trees in bloom and to be torn by the fragrant claws of hawthorn and acacia. A little pepper also lurked in the blue silence, split by a swift. And the Parisienne on vacation, lying flat on her stomach in the thick grass and the bocage shadow, shuddered for no reason."

Combat, 1955:

"Honeysuckle, freshened by the green smell of lilac, the fine aroma of honeysuckle, which points its ivory teeth in the forests, is similar to the scent of Chinese gardenia. We find the dominant in extracts that are suitable for the summer, such as Chanel's Gardenia and Lancome's Bocages.."

Bocages by Lancôme is a light, airy, and fresh floral fragrance designed for women. Here's a detailed breakdown of its scent profile:

Top Notes:

• Honeysuckle: Sweet and rich with a hint of fruitiness.
• Aldehydes: Providing a fresh, clean, and slightly soapy scent.
• Green Note: Adding a crisp, vegetal freshness.
• Mimosa: Sweet and powdery floral with a touch of honey.
• Geranium: Green, slightly minty, and rosy.
• Linden: Light, sweet floral with honeyed nuances.
• Hawthorn: A sweet, slightly spicy floral.
• Acacia: Delicate, sweet floral with a hint of almond.

Middle Notes:

• Pepper: Adding a touch of spice and warmth.
• Jasmine: Rich, sweet, and intoxicating floral.
• Gardenia: Creamy, lush, and slightly green floral.
• French Lilac: Soft, sweet, and slightly powdery floral.
• Dutch Honeysuckle: Sweet, nectar-like, and floral.
• Mountain Lily of the Valley: Fresh, green, and slightly sweet floral.

Base Notes:

• English Violet Leaves: Green, fresh, and slightly woody.
• Sandalwood: Creamy, warm, and woody with a slight sweetness.
• Oakmoss: Earthy, woody, and slightly damp with a hint of sweetness.

Overall Impression:

Bocages is characterized by its fresh and vibrant floral bouquet, balanced with green and slightly woody undertones. The fragrance opens with a lively and sweet floral blend, underscored by fresh green notes. The heart of the fragrance maintains the floral theme with a touch of spice from the pepper, adding depth and complexity. The base notes provide a smooth, grounding finish with the warmth of sandalwood and the earthy, woody scent of oakmoss. This combination creates a well-rounded, sophisticated fragrance that feels both natural and elegant.

Bottles:

The presentation of Bocages by Lancôme, designed by Georges Delhomme, is as elegant and sophisticated as the fragrance itself. The bottle and packaging are crafted to reflect the luxurious nature of the scent inside. Here are the details:

Bottle Design:

• Shape: Narrow, upright rectangular shape.
• Material: Made of crystal, giving it a refined and high-quality appearance.
• Stopper: Fitted with a glass inner stopper, which ensures the fragrance is well-sealed and maintains its integrity.
• Cap: Topped with a chunky, solid crystal over cap, adding to the bottle's luxurious and substantial feel.

Box Design:

• Shape: Tall and ovoid.
• Covering: The heavy cardstock box is covered with illustrated paper.
• Design: Printed with a picturesque garden scene, complete with flying birds, which enhances the natural and serene theme of the fragrance.

Overall Presentation:

The combination of the sophisticated crystal bottle and the beautifully designed box creates a harmonious presentation that reflects the essence of Bocages. The garden scene with flying birds on the ovoid-shaped box complements the floral and airy nature of the fragrance, making it not only a sensory delight but also a visual one. This attention to detail in both the bottle and box design underscores Lancôme's commitment to luxury and elegance.

The Fate of the Fragrance:

A 1946 newspaper ad stated that "The first envoy of the French perfume industry arrived in America a short time ago. Mme. Elsi Cramer, a representative for Lancome, had much to say about American women and the subject of perfume. Madame claims that the American woman chooses many scents but never really tries to discover anything about perfume bases, the floral mixtures, or how the perfume is packaged. She is primarily interested in which scent will last the longest. Mme. Cramer declares that no one should ask that of any perfume! Instead, she says, that by carrying a small vial of your favorite perfume and dabbing on a few drops once of twice during the course of the evening, you will find that your perfume will achieve its purpose of being fresh and 'just put on.' 

Tropiques, Fleches, Cuir, Kypre, Conquete, Qui Sait (pronounced key-say, Who Knows?) and Bocages are the newest perfumes in her line. The artistic packaging and the bottles themselves have been perfected after many long years of searching for the right thing.

American women once again may thrill to the wonderful French perfumes. And Mme. Cramer said that the formulas for these very same scents were closely guarded during the German occupation of France. So the return of French perfumes to the American market should mean a little more than just a comment of "oh, some more sweet smelling stuff has just arrived!" Taken into account should be the hard work, the scarcity of materials to work with and the hardships endured during the period when France was subjugated. Your perfume will mean much more to you when you think of those things."

Bocages by Lancôme, along with several other fragrances from the brand, was discontinued at an unknown date. The distribution and availability of these perfumes were significantly affected during World War II. Here's a summary of the historical context:

Discontinuation:

• 1935: Bocages is launched by Lancôme.
• World War II: Importations of Lancôme fragrances, including Bocages, are halted. This affects their availability outside of France.
• 1946: After the end of World War II, Lancôme fragrances, including Bocages, return to the U.S. market.
• 1956: Bocages is still being sold, showing its continued popularity and presence in the market for over two decades.

This disruption likely contributed to the eventual discontinuation of some fragrances, including Bocages, as the post-war period brought changes in consumer preferences, production capabilities, and market dynamics.

Bocages by Lancôme was a beloved fragrance that survived the challenging war years and continued to be sold well into the 1950s. This extended availability highlights its enduring appeal and the strength of Lancôme’s brand during that era. The combination of its sophisticated scent profile and elegant packaging contributed to its lasting presence in the perfume market.