I have had a hard time figuring out this perfume, so let me work my way up to that. Le Muguet is a soliflore that was first released as a limited edition in 2001, then re-launched with a few other Goutal soliflores in 2011 or 2012.

Annick Goutal Soliflores; photo from http://www.nstperfume.com

The original nose behind it is Isabelle Doyen. The only notes that are listed for it in multiple sites, including Fragrantica, are lily of the valley, benzoin, red berries and rose, although The Scented Salamander describes notes of mustard, pepper and vanilla (none of which I detect). The bottle is simply beautiful: a heavy, classic shape of ribbed glass with a retro vibe and a solid, gold-toned cap, tied at the neck with a pretty bow of colored tulle (aqua-green in this case) and the perfume’s name in script on a gilt tag.

When I first spray it on my skin, I smell fruit. But I’m not smelling red berries and that is what I find confusing. At first I thought it was banana! On a second try, I thought it was some kind of melon. Now I’m really not sure. After the initial fruity/melony note, I do smell a pretty, light lily of the valley, but unlike some reviewers (such as PerfumeSmellinThings) I don’t find it to be that true to the actual flower. It’s very nice, and it’s floral, and there is a green undertone, but it isn’t as clearly “muguet” as some other fragrances, perhaps because it is combined with a rose note. It does not last very long, as I understand is common with Annick Goutal fragrances.

On balance, I’m glad I have this but I won’t be buying a second bottle. It is very pretty, I will enjoy wearing it, and I do love the bottle itself, but the scent itself is just not that memorable or so evocative of muguet that I would seek it out again.