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Quelques Fleurs l’Original fragrance
Houbigant

Quelques Fleurs l’Original

EDP Feminine · 1913 · by Robert Bienaimé
6.8 /10

Quelques Fleurs l’Original scores 7/10 for longevity and performs best in Mild conditions.

Best in Mild 7/10 longevity
From USD 200–350From EUR 184–322From GBP 158–277From PKR 35,000–60,000From AED 700–1,200From INR 16,600–29,050From SAR 750–1,313
7 Longevity
7 Sillage
6 Versatility
7 Value
6.6 Climate Avg

Fragrance Notes

White Floral Aldehydic Green Animalic
Fragrance Note PyramidTOP NOTES0–30 min1Bergamot2Orange Blo…3GalbanumLemonHEART NOTES30–120 min1Tuberose2Jasmine3RoseCarnationYlang-YlangVioletBASE NOTES2h+1Oakmoss2Sandalwood3MuskCivetCedar
Top Notes — first impression, 0–30 min

Heart Notes — the core, 30 min – 2 hrs

Base Notes — the foundation, 2 hrs+
Accord ProfileWhite FloralAldehydicGreenAnimalicMossyACCORDPROFILE

Occasions & Seasons

Best For
Formal Special Occasion Evening
Seasons
Spring Autumn

Climate Performance

Avg 6.6 / 10
Extreme Heat
4/10
Average
45°C and above
Riyadh, Jacobabad, Kuwait City, Phoenix
Hot & Humid
5/10
Average
Around 35°C with high humidity
Dubai, Karachi, Mumbai, Miami
Warm & Dry
7/10
Good
Around 30°C with low humidity
Lahore, Delhi, Muscat, Los Angeles
Mild
9/10
Excellent
Around 20°C
Islamabad, Bangalore, London, San Francisco
Cold
8/10
Excellent
Below 10°C
Murree, Shimla, Moscow, New York

Expert Analysis

What Makes It Unique

One of the earliest true multi-floral compositions, a cornerstone of perfumery history.

Pakistan & GCC Perspective

While a masterpiece, its aldehydic richness can feel heavy in intense heat.

How It Compares

Often compared to Chanel No. 5 for its aldehydic floral grandeur, but predates it and offers a different floral bouquet.

The Controversy

Its complex formula makes it challenging to appreciate for modern noses accustomed to simpler scents.

Houbigant Quelques Fleurs l'Original: Niche Without the Pretension

The word ‘niche’ carries considerable baggage — elitism, inaccessibility, diminishing returns. Quelques Fleurs l'Original by Houbigant cuts against all of that. Built on White Floral, Aldehydic, Green, Animalic, Mossy, this EDP is sophisticated without being alienating, distinctive without being difficult. For any buyer where quality and uniqueness command a genuine premium, Quelques Fleurs l'Original positions itself as an intelligent investment.

One of the earliest true multi-floral compositions, a cornerstone of perfumery history.

How Quelques Fleurs l'Original Smells: Notes & Development

Quelques Fleurs l'Original opens with Bergamot, Orange Blossom, Galbanum and Lemon — an assertive first impression that carries across a room. Once that burns off, usually inside the first half hour, the heart turns to Tuberose, Jasmine, Rose, Carnation, Ylang-Ylang, Violet and Lilac. What lingers on skin and clothing hours later is the base: Oakmoss, Sandalwood, Musk, Civet and Cedar.

Strip it back to the bones and the profile reads White Floral, Aldehydic, Green, Animalic, Mossy — the kind of profile that rewards a second and third wearing.

How It Performs: The Numbers

Longevity (7/10): Quelques Fleurs l'Original delivers strong longevity for EDP. On most skin types expect 5–8 hours. A midday touch-up is rarely necessary but can extend the experience on special occasions.

Sillage (7/10): Quelques Fleurs l'Original projects as a confident aura, detectable by those nearby. Application to pulse points — wrists, neck, and behind the ears — maximises projection without overwhelming the room.

Versatility (6/10): Quelques Fleurs l'Original is context-aware, performing well across a range of situations without feeling mismatched. It thrives in its intended context but may feel mismatched further outside that sweet spot.

Value (7/10): Pricing at around $200 feels appropriate for what you get — neither a bargain nor an overreach.

Climate Performance: Where Quelques Fleurs l'Original Works Best

Of the five climate zones we score, Quelques Fleurs l'Original does best in mild (Islamabad, San Francisco) at 9/10 — it keeps its shape there instead of turning sharp or fading fast. The number to watch is extreme heat (Riyadh, Phoenix) at 4/10, where you are better off reaching for something else.

While a masterpiece, its aldehydic richness can feel heavy in intense heat.

Its average across all five zones is 6.6/10 — broad enough to wear most of the year without second-guessing the weather.

To see how it ranks against every other fragrance for your conditions, run the Climate Matcher.

Occasions & When to Wear

Quelques Fleurs l'Original is best suited to Formal, Special Occasion, Evening. Its projection is calibrated for the occasions listed — confident enough to register, controlled enough to remain appropriate in close quarters.

Seasonally, Quelques Fleurs l'Original performs best in Spring, Autumn. The climate data supports this range, though performance at the extremes — deep cold or intense heat — may vary.

Often compared to Chanel No. 5 for its aldehydic floral grandeur, but predates it and offers a different floral bouquet.

Quelques Fleurs l'Original Price Guide

Internationally, Quelques Fleurs l'Original sits at $200–$350. That puts it in the premium designer bracket — a meaningful spend, but well short of niche-exclusive pricing.

Regional pricing: PKR 35,000–60,000 in Pakistan, AED 700–1,200 in the UAE. The currency switcher at the top of this page converts every price on the site — EUR, GBP, SAR and more — using current rates.

Where to buy: Internationally: Luckyscent, Harrods. GCC/UAE: Harvey Nichols, Bloomingdale's. Pakistan: Select niche boutiques.

Verdict

Quelques Fleurs l'Original earns its premium through genuine distinction rather than marketing mythology — a fragrance that rewards the wearer rather than impressing bystanders.

An overall 6.6/10 puts Quelques Fleurs l'Original in solid-but-situational territory: strong where it is strong, ordinary elsewhere. Match it to the right season and occasion and it pays off.

Its complex formula makes it challenging to appreciate for modern noses accustomed to simpler scents.

Still deciding? Put it head-to-head against anything else in the database — scores, notes and prices side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Quelques Fleurs l'Original last?

Quelques Fleurs l'Original has a longevity score of 7/10. On average skin, expect 5–8 hours. Performance can vary with skin type, application method, and ambient temperature — heat accelerates diffusion while dry skin absorbs fragrance faster.

Is Quelques Fleurs l'Original worth the price?

At around $200, Quelques Fleurs l'Original by Houbigant is fairly priced for what it delivers. Its performance scores, climate range, and composition quality make it a strong value proposition.

What does Quelques Fleurs l'Original smell like?

Quelques Fleurs l'Original is characterised by White Floral, Aldehydic, Green, Animalic, Mossy accords. Opening with Bergamot and Orange Blossom, the heart revolves around Tuberose and Jasmine, settling into a base of Oakmoss and Sandalwood.

Is Quelques Fleurs l'Original good for hot or humid weather?

Quelques Fleurs l'Original was not designed for extreme heat (score: 5/10). In genuinely hot climates, reserve it for cooled indoor environments or evening wear.

Is Quelques Fleurs l'Original for men or women?

Quelques Fleurs l'Original is marketed as a Feminine fragrance. The composition, while marketed to women, has qualities that cross traditional boundaries — nuance and restraint rather than sweetness and convention.