Welcome to the weekly Perfume Chat Room, perfumistas! I envision this chat room as a weekly drop-in spot online, where readers may ask questions, suggest fragrances, tell others their SOTD, comment on new releases or old favorites, and respond to each other. The perennial theme is fragrance, but we can interpret that broadly. This is meant to be a kind space, so please try not to give or take offense, and let’s all agree to disagree when opinions differ. In fragrance as in life, your mileage may vary! YMMV.
Today is Friday, March 7, and we are about to leave Barcelona after a week in Vienna and Salzburg. While in Barcelona, I stopped by the Cathedral, which is as magnificent as always.
The niche perfume scene in Barcelona has changed in recent years. I was sad to learn that the legendary Perfumeria Regia on the Passeig de Garcia has closed as of the end of 2024. The business is now completely online. I haven’t found out what will happen to the Perfume Museum that shared its location.
The Basilica Galeria, which had a huge lower level devoted to niche perfumes, has changed location and has a much more modest collection of fragrances for sale. It felt as if they’re not restocking. I was happily able to buy two discontinued Ann Gerard fragrances by Bertrand Duchaufour, Rose Cut and Ciel d’Opale. Both are lovely.
El Corte Ingles, the big department store, still carries Chanel’s Exclusifs line at their big store in the Placa Catalunya. They also have No. 19 and Cristalle eaux de toilette, which generally seem to be more scarce even in Europe. I also noticed that Guerlain’s Les Legendaires line seems to have been pruned, in terms of what one finds in stores. I was happy to see that The Perfumery is still going strong, in its location near the Palau de Musica.
We visited Montserrat for the first time — what a beautiful and interesting site! I can’t imagine how people imagined, all those centuries ago, that they should climb those heights and build a basilica. I can’t imagine how they did it, either.
Altogether we’ve had a wonderful trip, and my husband’s company, which is what takes him to Barcelona for work, scored a huge success and everyone is happy. But I’ll be glad to get home to house, garden, kids (all young adults) and our elderly dog Lucy. Time for my garden to wake up!
How was your week? Any new fragrance discoveries? And hugs to alityke, whose DH is undergoing serious medical treatments.
Serenity Now Scents and Sensibilities 
Amazing details on those churches/cathedrals/basilicas! I’ve been to Barcelona once and didn’t get the chance to see the inside of Sagrada Família, although the outside was incredible as well. This was before my niche perfumery days so I’m also sad that it seems to have shrunk.
Congratulations on your husband’s company’s business success! I’ve been mired in work (mostly from home) but anticipating that it’ll be for a good cause. Wore a few more botanical perfume samples from Lvnea this week – Fern and Moss is a lovely mossy juniper scent, and Ghost Pine has a natural sweetness that goes well with the foresty notes.
Safe travels home!
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I’m looking forward to revisiting Sagrada Familia. It’s probably 20 years since I was there last. I wonder if I’ll notice the progress made in that time.
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You certainly will! It looks amazing.
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I love the name Fern and Moss, it sounds like something I’d enjoy!
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Thank you for the hugs & good wishes. The candle & prayer might have helped with the good news of no clots & shrinking disease.
It’s so sad Regia has gone online only. Has the one near the Gothic Cathedral closed as well?
I need to get on a plane to buy up ALL the Cristalle EdT! If only!
Congrats to hubby & his employers getting good result too.
Wishing you a safe journey home
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We are now safely home! The Perfumery, which used to be near the Cathedral, is now near the Palau de Musica. Still in business and it has a lovely selection of less common fragrances, like Widian and Miguel de Mayos, as well as Zoologist and other brands.
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I wondered if it was that one in your article.
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Montserrat is so beautiful. We didn’t make it there when we were in Barcelona. Putting it on the list for future trips. Enjoying my current fragrance collection and culling the herd of a few that I found I didn’t love any more, especially the latest. Chanel No. 5 L’Eau. Not sure why I bought it, but I’m not liking it at all any longer.
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I made that same error with the Chanel. It’s not really working for me anymore.
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I’ll have to try mine again. I did like it a lot when I bought it, I hope I still do! I prefer Eau Premiere, though.
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Exactly what happened to me. Got snapped up when I listed it on eBay.
Eau Premiere was a different story. I’m on my third bottle
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Woo Hoo! Love adventure stories OH.
Sadly I’ve never gone perfume shopping in earnest when in Barcelona. Unless we fall upon something and then only briefly.
We also haven’t made it out to Montserrat, maybe next time. Hilariously, I thought it was in France until this very post. Gah! Thank you for the update.
Really?!? CHANEL No19 and Crystal are becoming scarce? What is going on! Maybe the world is really letting go of true beauty.
Portia xx
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Yes, it was weird to see what seemed to be a shrinking supply of the EDTs. I still saw plenty of the EDPs though.
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That “new” Cristalle in the tall bottle that Chanel claims hasn’t changed? It’s the EdP in a new frock! Stamps feet petulantly.
It must have changed though as it is no longer yellow juice but almost colourless like the EdT was.
I wish they would be more transparent about their shenanigans. Just come out & say “The EdT was selling less than the EdP so we discontinued it.”
Bet it’s bitten them in the bum now sharp greens are becoming fashionable
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I’m just glad I have large back up bottles of No. 19, No. 22, and Cristalle EDTs.
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You’re no doubt home by now. That was a very nice trip. I’m going to Barcelona for a two-day visit. Not sure if there will be time for any sniffing. There’s so much to see there. We’re staying close to Placa Catalunya and really looking forward to it. Trying a new perfume today, Widian Cotton, a fluffy floral, it’s a hit.
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I’ve been wanting to try the Widian Cotton and now I definitely will try it. I love Widian’s creations. They don’t all work for me, but all are very well crafted and high quality.
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I have Widian’s Rose Arabia Lily, which I really like. I agree, very high quality and well made. I love the heavy bottle, too!
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I’m really liking it. It’s so cheerful but has some presence. Jasmine is prominent to my nose.
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