En Passant

The Story

Launched in 2000 and composed by Olivia Giacobetti for Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle, En Passant is a delicate, watery lilac, capturing the fleeting scent of flowers caught in passing on a spring morning. Understated and poetic, it is a beloved cult favourite for lovers of soft, realistic florals. Our interpretation rebuilds it at a far higher oil concentration.

How It Smells

This is a spring morning walk past blooming lilac. It opens cool and dewy, with a crisp cucumber and green notes that give a watery, just-rained freshness. At its heart sits a soft, true-to-life lilac, gentle and slightly powdery, joined by a warm, bready wheat note that adds an unusual, comforting realism, like flowers over a bakery. As it settles, a light cedar and clean musk give a soft, airy finish. Fresh, watery, and delicate, it is a quiet, poetic floral that feels like a gentle memory.

The Notes

Top: cucumber, green notes. Heart: lilac, wheat. Base: cedar, musk.

How Our Version Compares

Our interpretation rebuilds En Passant at 40 percent perfume oil, a far higher concentration than the lighter eau de toilette and eau de parfum sprays most people know, where the actual oil content is often only a small fraction of that. Made in the EU to careful standards, it is formulated to track the character you remember while giving you stronger projection and noticeably longer wear on skin. Because the oil load is so high, a little goes a long way: one or two dabs at the pulse points is usually enough for the day, and the scent unfolds slowly through its top, heart, and base over many hours rather than burning off within the first one. An oil based fragrance also sits closer to the skin and reacts to your own warmth and chemistry, so the way it develops on you will be subtly your own rather than identical to anyone else. If you want to stretch the wear even further, apply it to freshly moisturised skin, which holds the oils far better than dry skin and slows down evaporation. Storing it away from heat and direct light will also keep the blend smelling true for longer. This is an independent interpretation inspired by the original accord, blended in our own workshop, and it is not the branded fragrance itself.

Common Questions

Is this the original Frederic Malle fragrance? No. It is our independent interpretation of the accord, rebuilt at 40 percent perfume oil.

Is it unisex? Yes. Its soft, watery lilac is gentle and easy for anyone to wear.

Is it a strong perfume? No. It is deliberately soft and intimate, a delicate skin scent, though our high oil version gives it better staying power.

When should I wear it? Its fresh, dewy lilac is perfect for spring and daytime and warm weather.

Comparative Advertising Disclaimer

Frederic Malle and En Passant are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Frederic Malle in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.