Caron Parfum Sacré can be compared to a fine cashmere shawl as it clings to the skin and feels warm and smooth. Created by perfumer Jean-Pierre Béthouart in 1990, it is a spicy oriental, with a big rose in its heart. The first impression is a tingly rush of black pepper. Then, mace (the inner casing of nutmeg), cardamom and lemon grow stronger and richer.
For all its spicy notes, Parfum Sacré is not a dry, pungent fragrance, but caressing and enveloping. The rose softens the middle notes lending them a honeyed sweetness. Rose’s appearance can be compared to a gorgeous stranger entering the room–the clamor stops and every minute whisper is heard distinctly. That’s when I notice orange blossom and iris delicately hinting at their presence. Soon the woody accords undulate slowly lending a resinous aspect to the dry down. The smooth balsamic myrrh, sweet amber and smoky vanilla form the intricate drydown. To call Parfum Sacré sultry is probably an understatement! Still, it is not what I would call a bombshell perfume. Parfum Sacré lends itself to being worn as a comfort scent. On a cold winter day, it is a perfect scented choice–warming and rich, like a glass of mulled wine.
Parfum Sacré extrait de parfum is the softest of all concentrations. The eau de parfum is bright and sparkling by comparison. Notes: vanilla, myrrh, civet, cedarwood, lemon, pepper, mace, cardamom, orange blossom, rose, jasmine, rosewood.
On Reformulation (March 2011):
A dry oriental fragrance that avoids gourmand associations, Parfum Sacré is still a fantastic spicy composition. It is thinner and sharper than it used to be; however, it is balanced very nicely and the differences are less perceptible in wear than in some other Caron reformulations. There is now a Parfum Sacré Intense version which amplifies the rich woods and incense facets of the composition.
Spices December 16th, Saturday 1:00pm-2:30pm EST/7:00pm-8:30pm CET 
5 Comments
N aka parislondres: You know darling V – I did love the extrait at one point and wore a lot of it over a few months – then got bored with it and gave it to a cousin who loves it and still wears the extrait. I agree with you that the extrait is much nicer than the EDP.
xoxo June 2, 2005 at 2:10pm
Ayala: I love your review of Parfum Sacre, Victoria – and I LURVE Parfum Sacre.
Definitley one of my most favourites.
It is beautiful, sophisticated, elegan and sexy!
I love the peppery-incensy (myrrh…) opening, and the rose enterance is such a surprise – it is almost like a green fresh rose in the beginning, than becomes powdery and sweet, like a dried rose with orris root powder. The dry down is powdery – myrrh, vanilla and a lovely and feminine powdery imporession or rose and orris that lasts for over a day.
I love wearing it in the evening and wakign up in a cloud or roses, spices, orris and vanilla! September 29, 2005 at 2:55pm
BoisdeJasmin: Ayala, thank you! I love your description of my beloved Parfum Sacre. “A cloud or roses, spices, orris and vanilla”–it just cannot be described better than this. I used to wear it often in the evening, and whenever I did, I would have the most beautiful dreams. Perhaps, I shall wear it tonight! September 29, 2005 at 2:59pm
koray: Dear Victoria,
Which form would you prefer? Classic or intense? I want to buy a sample of this perfume. I trust your choice 🙂 September 15, 2012 at 12:11pm
Catherine: I think of this as a profane answer to light/airy springy scents. it is what fire should smell like – although it might birth more than a few pyromaniacs. So maybe not fire, but smoldering resin with a passion. A scent of fury and danger, but with righteous (!) purpose. September 7, 2014 at 3:55am