Vanille Galante Hermessence

Vanille Galante Hermessence, inspired by Hermès Hermessence Vanille Galante (2009)

The name misleads: this is a floral first, with vanilla used as air rather than sugar. Lily leads, cool and dewy, with ylang-ylang, a little spice and green notes. Salicylates, the materials behind the sunny, salty feel of many white flowers, create the impression of lilies floating in salt water. The base is dry, pale sandalwood with a thin veil of vanilla.

About the original

Jean-Claude Ellena composed Vanille Galante for the Hermessence collection, Hermès' exclusive line sold in its own boutiques, and it was launched in early 2009. It came in 100 ml and in a set of four 15 ml travel sprays. Perfume writers at the time stressed how far it was from a typical vanilla, describing salty lilies over pale woods.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Hermès stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Anyone buying on the name and expecting a sweet vanilla is likely to be disappointed. It is airy and sheer, a floral for lovers of translucent, slightly salty compositions. The vanilla stays faint and dry throughout.

Related scents

• Hermes Un Jardin a Cythere
• Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt

Notes of the original fragrance, as given in the launch information.

Notes: Ylang-ylang, Green Notes, Spices, Lily, Salicylates, Sandalwood, Vanilla

The opening is dewy and green, with a light spiciness and ylang-ylang beside the first lily.

Lily dominates the heart, made salty and transparent by salicylates.

Sandalwood and vanilla close it, dry and pale, with no gourmand sweetness.

Does Vanille Galante smell like vanilla?

Only faintly. It is a sheer lily floral with a salty, airy vanilla in the base, not a sweet or edible one.

Does Hermès still make Vanille Galante?

We have not been able to confirm whether Hermès still produces Vanille Galante.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Hermes and Vanille Galante Hermessence are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Hermes 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.