Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.
Serge Lutens Cèdre (2005) is a flame caressing hot cedarwood curls. Its pairing of tuberose and cedar settles into a dark warm composition, with rather soft woodsy notes. Once again, Sheldrake&Lutens flight of fancy results in an enchanting Arabian vignette, taken from the One Thousand and One Nights. The sensual fluidity of the composition transports one from the fragrant pillows of Middle Eastern palaces through the spice stalls of the souks and into the confines of a tea house, where steam rising from the cups swirls amid heated conversations. Tuberose shimmers against the dark backdrop of resinous juices dusted with cinnamon. Heated by a hot breath of spices, the floral notes attain a clove ornamentation. This soft whisper of cloves echoes through the dark sweetness of wood. Ambery warmth suffuses the sonorous melody of the composition, adding an autumnal feel to the cedarwood foundation.
Picture: Limited edition bottle of Cèdre.
40 Comments
parislondres: Darling V! Thanks for this lovely review and I am off to Palais Royal soon to test this (hopefully today).
Thank you also for the lovely email. I will write a proper email very soon.
xoxo July 18, 2005 at 5:37am
Felicia: I must admit when I heard about Cedre I thought – hmm another hamstercage disaster waiting to happen (for me – only for me 🙂 Your review leads me to believe that this is more complex than his Bois et Fruit and Bois de Violette – true? The addition of tuberose, cinnamon and amber sound enticing so this is now a must try. At the very least- your lyrical review is spectacular – as always. Well done, V! July 18, 2005 at 10:22am
Robin: Sounds lovely, but I am still on the fence. I am not overly fond of the SL Bois series. I love cedar, and tuberose too for that matter, but many of the SL cedars are sweeter than I like. July 18, 2005 at 12:02pm
Victoria: Dear N, I cannot wait to hear your thoughts! If you like Lutens’ take on cedar (from Boix range), this will be enchanting too. xoxo July 18, 2005 at 8:52am
Victoria: Dear F, thank you for your compliment! I admit that I thought that it might be too woodsy and too dry. However, the result is quite complex and unusual–soft backdrop of tuberose warming up the woods. If you like his Boix range, you will definitely find this enchanting. Bois de Violette is different, in that it is just a single note showcased amid cedar. Cèdre is the beauty of the woods ornamented masterfully by other notes. July 18, 2005 at 10:34am
Victoria: Well, soon you will be able to see for yourself. 🙂 It is not too sweet, but if you find Boix range to be too sweet, it might be in that category too. July 18, 2005 at 1:26pm
mreenymo: Victoria–no fair!! You got me exploring the Rosines, but now I have to shift gears and focus on Serge??? :):):)
It’s a good thing I am very particular about his creations. Seems like only a few in the exclusive range work for me. So for now, I will continue testing, wearing and loving the Rosines.
Hugs! July 18, 2005 at 6:14pm
Diane: Oh, you liked it? I’m now on tenterhooks to try. Your description–lovely as ever–so entices me. I am surprised to hear that tuberose is part of the medley, as the name suggests a dry, woods scent along the lines of Chene.
xoxo~~~ July 18, 2005 at 4:59pm
Victoria: That is exactly what I thought at first. Wood is quite soft, not at all like woods in Chêne, which I also really enjoy. The tuberose aspect really manages to shimmer against it. Quite beautiful and very autumnal. July 18, 2005 at 5:03pm
Victoria: R, do let me know which of Rosines you like best. I am eager to hear more of your impressions. Apologies for momentarily stirring you from the right course! 🙂
xoxo July 18, 2005 at 10:47pm
julien: Dear victoria
Thank you for your post and description.
I must confess i don’t like that musch cedar wood,it always remember me the products we use to wash the wooden furnitures. July 19, 2005 at 5:44am
julien: Promise to try,just for you… 😉 July 19, 2005 at 7:41am
Victoria: Julie, I can understand what you mean, however you should still try it. The woods are much softer than you would expect from a perfume named Cèdre. July 19, 2005 at 7:38am
Victoria: Ok 🙂 July 19, 2005 at 7:54am
julien: I have tried it.
You were right.
I fell in love with that scent,so beautiful,soft as velvet…
A masterpiece,my favorite LUTENS ever!
Thank you for giving me the wanting to smell it.
Kisses dear.
Julien. August 9, 2005 at 10:26am
julien: And you were right…i don’t know why,but it feels to me smooth like velvet,mysterious yet not cold at all.
By far,i can say now it is my favorite Lutens…
Thank you again,you know me well now my friend!:) August 9, 2005 at 11:28am
julien: I tested BOIS ORIENTAL,BOIS VIOLETTE,BOIS VANILLE and i guess that’s all…
I don’t like very much woody scents,but i must confess LUTENS is the only one who can make me love them.
My heart belongs to Guerlain,but my head to LUTENS… 🙂 August 9, 2005 at 11:37am
julien: Yes…but sometimes they are hard to like.
Of course,it depends on tastes and how it works on your skin but perfumes like MUSK KOUBLAI KHAN,FUMERIE TURQUE,CUIR MAURESQUE are too hard for me…
But it’s true,Lutens perfumes are pure delices.
Do you know DOUCE AMERE?
I tried it,and this is very sweet too…a kind of “Hypnotic Poison” in a much more complicated way with the amertume of Absynthe…another masterpiece of subtlety… August 9, 2005 at 11:55am
Victoria: Dear Julien, I am glad to hear that you liked it. It is definitely very unique–rich, shimmering, with a perfect tuberose note. I thought that given your tastes, you might find it very appealing.
xoxo August 9, 2005 at 10:33am
Victoria: I love how Serge Lutens and Chris Sheldrake interpret these cedar notes that are typically considered very masculine. Have you tried Lutens Boix range? It is quite wonderful.
xoxo August 9, 2005 at 11:33am
Victoria: I also like Bois et Fruits very much. Most Serge Lutens creations are very innovative, which is what appeals to me the most about them. August 9, 2005 at 11:49am
Victoria: Yes, that is true. Easy to wear they are, however it is what I find appealing for some reason.
I like Douce Amere quite a bit. It is almost decadent in character. August 9, 2005 at 12:31pm
julien: “Decadent in character”…interesting..could you tell me more about it and explain me your point of view?
Oh please!:)
thanks…
J. August 9, 2005 at 5:59pm
Victoria: It is rich and smooth, with an undercurrent that changes from sweet to bitter for as long as one keeps wearing the fragrance. The decadence is in that richness over the fluid sweetness. It is very alluring. August 9, 2005 at 7:28pm
julien: For its sophistication,yes it is very alluring.
On me i could tell it looks like a three pieces paint:Fruity honeyed luminating scent,part one;Floral subtlety(tubéreuse) with precious woods end spice,part two;then part three:the pure Cedar part,with amber,but always smooth and beautiful.
The real materpice is according to me in the transitions the three parts contain.
Maybe one of the most majestic perfume i have ever smelled.
Remind me the quality,sophistication and beauty of old Guerlain,in extrait de parfum.
Have you experienced these three parts theme too or is something from my poetic mind?
😉
Kisses dear.
How i love talking with you… August 10, 2005 at 7:26am
julien: What is fascinating?my description or the perfume?
😉
lol
Kisses.
J. August 10, 2005 at 9:58am
julien: Waouh..if i get as fascinating as Cèdre from Lutens,it is a quite beautiful thing to know.
Thanks!:)
J. August 10, 2005 at 10:36am
Victoria: Me too! I can certainly understand what you mean by your three part description. You captured it perfectly. It is fascinating.
xoxo August 10, 2005 at 9:46am
Victoria: I was referring to your description, but, yes, perfume is fascinating as well! 🙂
xoxo August 10, 2005 at 10:18am
malika errachid: MESSIEURS.
BONJOUR
JE VOUS ENVOIES CETTE EMAIL EN VOUS PRIANT DE BIEN VOULOIR LE TRANSMETTRE A MONSIEUR
CHER SEGRE LUTENS,
JESPERE QUE TU RECOIS MON MESSAGE DONT JE VOUS METS MES CORDONNES
MALIKA ERRACHID
HAY MOHAMMADI
UNITE 5 DAOUDIAT N° 292
MARRAKECH MAROC
TEL 00212 (0) 64 62 67 39
MERCI POUR VOTRE COMPREHENSION ET VOTRE PROCHAINE REPONSE URGEMMENT .
MEILLEURES SALUTATIONS./. August 14, 2006 at 9:24am
malika errachid: MESSIEURS.
BONJOUR
JE VOUS ENVOIES CETTE EMAIL EN VOUS PRIANT DE BIEN VOULOIR LE TRANSMETTRE A MONSIEUR
CHER SEGRE LUTENS,
JESPERE QUE TU RECOIS MON MESSAGE DONT JE VOUS METS MES CORDONNES
MALIKA ERRACHID
HAY MOHAMMADI
UNITE 5 DAOUDIAT N° 292
MARRAKECH MAROC
TEL 00212 (0) 64 62 67 39
MERCI POUR VOTRE COMPREHENSION ET VOTRE PROCHAINE REPONSE URGEMMENT .
MEILLEURES SALUTATIONS./. August 14, 2006 at 9:24am
romaayden: went to Andes recently live in northern NJ (5 minutes GWB) to pick up so Philikos (excuse sp) received sample sprays of Cedre and DOUCE AMERE loved loved cedre even though I am not a fan of tuberose. Was exquistely composed and although my holy grail is yosh heart is Deceitful and Malle Musc Rav. I have placed cedre up close. Any other suggests on dark woodsy dramatic scents I am also a fan of Jalaine’s Patch I guess I am a patch and amber kind of gal thanks for any suggestions. August 14, 2006 at 9:11pm
romaayden: will be going to aedes this weekend to sample new lutens Chypre Rouge will give my review limited as it may very well be. August 14, 2006 at 9:18pm
Notturno7: Wow Victoria, you’re so right!
The Cèdre is gorgeous. I got my samples in the mail so I sprayed Cuir M on my left wrist and Cedre on my right and it just took me by surprise! It’s really beautiful. And I don’t care for cedar wood at all so if it weren’t for your review, I wouldn’t have even cared to look at this one.
It has so much depth and warmth that I craved more then 1 little spray, haha, so I ended spraying more and more!
To me it smells at first like a walk in the woods but you end up finding this amazing, enchanted bakery in the middle of the forest! A treasure in a bottle! 💗 February 12, 2017 at 6:53pm
Cecilia: Dear Victoria and perfume lovers,
during my eternal quest for the perfect floriental scent, I’ve recently discovered Cedre. It was love at first spray.
On my skin it opens honeyed, sweet but not too much. Then gradually an almost cold the touberose appears, warmed up by the spices. And in the end a dark cedar makes his grand entrance, adding depht to the composition.
It’s like a simphony, in which all the intruments have their own solo moment before blending into each other to create a masterpiece.
It is my favourite Lutens so far. If it works with your skin chemistry Cèdre is really marvellous. February 13, 2017 at 11:21am
Notturno7: I love your description of Luten’s Cèdre, Cecilia ❤️
It’s funny, there were no comments in this thread for 10 years and then you and I posted this ‘romance’ 😉 to Cèdre in less then a day.
This latest passion of mine for Lutens, it dangerous to my wallet, LOL, as I’m in love with Sarrasins and my recent purchase of Une Voix Noire, which I even like when I’m going to sleep with my scented wrists 🌸.
And those bell jar bottles are gorgeous.
I have to wait to get my next one, Tuberose Gardenia, Victoria wrote a wonderful review and I’m enjoying the free sample of it that I’ve got. It’s amazing that it doesn’t bother my husband who has sensitivity to fragrance.
I hope you find more Lutens loves, too.
Happy Valentines to all readers ❤️❤️❤️ February 14, 2017 at 3:42pm
Cecilia: Thank you Notturno7 and happy Valentine to you too.
I think this is excatly the magic of creations like Lutens’ perfumes…after ten years people like me and you can discover them and fall madly in love!
And, oh those bell jars! February 14, 2017 at 5:59pm
Notturno7: Dear Cecilia, you’re right!!
I put Cèdre on tonight and thought of your lovely description.
Now I wonder what other Lutens stole your heart! 💗
It’s great having Victoria’s masterful reviews to guide us through this wonderful journey. February 19, 2017 at 4:28am
Julie Demelo: Dear Victoria,
This is such a lovely review of Serge Lutens Cedre…
One of my favorite scents for autumn! I
didn’t realize it was introduced in 2005.
I was eager to wear this today as it is so beautiful. Thank you for this, your
description is perfect. 🙂 November 8, 2017 at 6:03pm
Victoria: Thank you very much, Julie! November 10, 2017 at 9:21am