In 1903, Maison Lesquendieu was born, an authentic story of French excellence. At the time, the young pharmacist-perfumer Joseph Lesquendieu managed to create this perfume house, which, thanks to trusted collaborators, grew into an internationally renowned brand while maintaining its ethics and values.
As a member of the Board of Directors of the Chambre Syndicale de la Parfumerie in Paris, Joseph Lesquendieu also served as a French trade advisor and was appointed Knight of the Legion of Honor in January 1926 for his remarkable contribution to the perfume and beauty industry. When creating a perfume, Joseph Lesquendieu simply pursued excellence, freeing himself from any budgetary constraints and favoring quality over quantity. These values were applied at every level of his company.
Since its founding in 1903, the inspiration behind the perfumes was always free of constraints, focused on inventiveness, and used only the highest quality ingredients. This signature of creativity and excellence quickly allowed the company to attract a growing Parisian clientele. The name Lesquendieu then traveled beyond seas and borders, with the originality of its perfumes earning it recognition even in the United States, where a division was created in 1904 in New York.
The 1920s were a period of great creativity and the golden age of perfumery. Perfume houses distributed the most subtle fragrances throughout Europe. The great classics of Haute Parfumerie date from this prosperous era, and Lesquendieu’s perfumes are among the finest.
The company’s activities continued through both world wars, contributing to the support of the French economy by employing women in the manufacture of perfumes and other beauty products. Even during these times, Lesquendieu launched several creations, including “Glorilis,” “Feu de Bengale,” and “Bonne Fortune.”
In his later years, Joseph Lesquendieu spent most of his time writing his memoirs, including formulas, methodologies, and advice intended for future generations. His philosophy and methods have been the pillars of the Maison for three generations.
When Joseph Lesquendieu died in 1962, the Maison had gained great notoriety. The production of Lesquendieu perfumes continued until the late 1970s, but without the founder, who was involved in every stage of the creative process, the Maison ceased production, and everything remained “dormant” from the early 1980s until 2015, when the third generation of Lesquendieu decided to revive the company’s activity.
Jérôme Lesquendieu, one of the founder’s grandsons, decided to revitalize the family Maison, continuing the epic journey started by his grandfather, guided by the values passed down through generations, and bringing his vision by combining know-how with modernity.
Inspired by his grandfather’s formulas and methodologies, Jérôme Lesquendieu introduced a new creativity while preserving the ethics and values that had made the Maison famous, while also adapting his approach to contemporary demands. To honor his grandfather’s legacy, he built a project born from a dream, a true quest, and he trained in every aspect of the business, down to the smallest details. Lucca Bernadou de Commarque, a Parisian artistic director working in fashion and luxury, joined the adventure. A common vision and a great friendship between the two were born, and La Maison was successfully relaunched.
Today, Maison Lesquendieu remains at the highest level in the perfume industry. The pursuit of excellence remains the main objective of the family business’s managers. An approach that has remained unchanged since 1900. Jérôme Lesquendieu’s niche perfumes are rare elixirs celebrating the art of perfumery. His vision, inherited from his grandfather, is driven by excellence and a love for beauty. Maison Lesquendieu, in its rebirth, embodies the harmony between tradition and innovation, an ode to timeless elegance.
For Jérôme Lesquendieu, perfume is a family story that has always fascinated him. He maintained the obsession for excellence and was involved in every stage of designing a perfume or candle. His approach resonates with the tradition followed since 1903, a testament to the Maison's quality.
There are no limits to the inspiration of the “nose,” which plays a key role in the development of each new perfume. The creations are always made from the finest raw materials, mainly of natural origin, to continue offering exceptional fragrances to a demanding clientele.
Throughout his explorations, Jérôme Lesquendieu came across thematic sketches centred around rare and precious essences discovered during distant travels. Captivated by these exceptional essences, Joseph Lesquendieu fantasized that one day he would be able to compose with these then little-known perfumes, such as oud or saffron. Writing a new chapter faithful to the values of excellence that have accompanied the Maison since 1903, the Oriental Collection presents some of the rarest and most precious essences in perfumery. It includes Orris Amber, Oud, Saffron, Oud & Woods, Cuir, Vetyver, and Davana.
A few years ago, when Jérôme Lesquendieu, the Maison founder’s grandson, immersed himself in his grandfather’s archives, he could not have imagined the richness of the immaterial heritage left latent. Formulas, essays, research, and notes intended for future generations—an entire life of a successful notorious enthusiast to examine. Thus, the Historical Collection emerged quite naturally. Five great perfumes from the Maison's history—timeless classics.
Among the Maison's collections is also the Archive, considered the anti-waste solution for perfumes identical to finished products without boxes from the 2023 productions. (They can be purchased with cases or, for an even more positive environmental impact, without cases at a lower price.)
The best raw materials, rare essences of natural origin, passionate work, handcrafted creations, luxury craftsmanship — these are some of the pillars of the excellence of Maison Lesquendieu , which has lasted for seven decades until today.
Davana is the latest olfactory creation that Lesquendieu unveils in the ethereal realm of perfumery. With top notes of davana and bergamot, heart notes of black tea and rose, and base notes of cedar, this perfume presents itself as a symphony of botanical delights evoking a dreamy reverie.
The Davana Eau de Parfum belongs to the Oriental Collection. Davana unfolds as a fragrant reverie, enriching the oriental inspiration with its spicy floral charm.
As the first notes unfold, the essence of davana fills the air, its sweet fruity aroma enveloping the senses like a warm embrace. Bergamot adds a citrus brilliance, bringing a note of effervescence to the composition and setting the stage for the olfactory journey to come.
At the heart of Davana lies a delicate play of black tea and rose. The black tea infuses the fragrance with an earthy subtlety reminiscent of a peaceful afternoon spent sipping tea in a sunlit garden. Rose petals unfurl with a soft, romantic sweetness, their floral elegance adding depth and complexity to the blend.
As the perfume settles, the base notes appear, grounding Davana with the rich, woody scent of Atlas cedar. This noble wood gives the composition a sense of strength and stability, its resinous warmth lingering on the skin as a pleasant memory.
Finally, Davana represents one of Lesquendieu’s captivating perfumes with charming accords, capturing the essence of precious moments.
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