The “Généraux d’Empire” fragrance brings back to life the much coveted rose, the rose traditionally gifted to victorious soldiers. This sweet rose, caressed by violet and blackcurrant, nestles in bright green leaves and gleaming grass with peppermint, verbena and rosemary. But above all, this bouquet evokes a folly, and what a folly! Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais’s magnificent rose garden, the most magnificent of its time, created in her Malmaison domain at the beginning of the 19th century. In “Généraux d’Empire”, the generous roses, the myriad of petals and buds wears a cloak of musk and patchouli. They’re lightly surrounded by the spirited, woody scents of vetiver and cedar, just like the Bois-Préau park around the rose garden. Fascinated by botany, Josephine offered sumptuous cedar trees, gifts that would survive centuries: the first to her husband upon his victory in Marengo in 1800, and another one to Belgian artist Pierre-Joseph Redouté, who drew a beautiful inventory of all of her roses. His drawings are now legendary for all flower lovers. In her ideal rose garden grew more than 2000 rose trees from 250 species from all around the world, even, despite the trade embargo, from rival England – from its gardens came precious Hume’s Blush Tea-Scented China and all the other ones collected by horticulturist André Dupont. A pioneer of hybridization, this specialist created 25 new roses for the Empress. “Généraux d’Empire” celebrates this extraordinary collection of enchanting roses, a garden where Rosa Gallica, Centifolia, Albas and Damask Roses mingled happily.
“Return, said Ami, toward this Danger; he is not as awful as he seems; persuade him with sweet words, and he shall let you see your dear Rose once more.” The Romance of the Rose, 13th century
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