French Can-Can by Caron c1936

French Can-Can by Caron: launched in 1936. Created by Ernest Daltroff, the perfume was created for the American women to conjure up glamourous and familiar images of Paris.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a crisp white flower, floral-oriental fragrance for women, with dominant notes of a jasmine, lilac and violet..

• Top notes: jasmine, lilac and violet
• Middle notes:iris, orange blossom, ylang ylang, lily of the valley, rose and patchouli
• Base notes: sandalwood, ambergris, orris and oakmoss

Marie-Claire, 1937:

"French CanCan by Caron: Audacious and warm. Dominant note: flowery. To belong to the elite of the cosmopolitan world. For her pleasure, or her business, she always has one foot in London, one in New York."

The Southern Pharmaceutical Journal, 1937:

"New creations in the perfume world are Lucien Lelong's “Impromptu," Bourjois' “Kobako," and Caron's “French Cancan." 

Sales Management - Volume 42, 1938:

"Caron has a perfume called "French Can-Can." The directions, I presume, are: "Shake well before using." 

Harper's Bazaar, 1956

""French Cancan" — a gay. flirty Parisian type, lighthearted yet haunting. By Caron. One and 1/2 ounces. $25."

Saturday Review, 1957:

"FRENCH CANCAN by Caron, perfume as gay and saucy as a Parisian midinette . . . brilliant sparkling for the new Fall ensemble, perfect complement for minks. 1/2 oz."

Bottle:

Presented in a bottle designed by Félicie Bergaud (neé Vanpouille). Clear glass ringed ovoid bottle adorned with a lace ruffle around the neck & a square white stopper. The box was decorated with images of Can Can dancers.


The fragrance was available in the following:

• Parfum (Extrait, Extract)
• Eau de Toilette
• Eau de Cologne
• Bath Oil

Later it was available only in:

• Parfum (Extrait, Extract)
• Eau de parfum

Perfumery and Essential Oil Record, 1936:

"French Cancan," the new line of the perfumers Caron, is packed in a round, long -necked, crystal flask, patterned with Baccarat cutting. This is sold in a smart cardboard container, quilted on the inside."

The New Yorker, 1937:

"Caron's French Can Can, with a frill of lace around its neck, is coy femininity rampant, too."

The New Yorker, 1937:

"Caron's latest, French Can-Can, makes complete strangers come up and beg you for the formula of your charm, even when they haven't seen the bottle, which has a little frill of Val lace around the neck. The scent is tantalizing."

Fate of the Fragrance:

Discontinued, date unknown, it was still being sold in 1968 alongside Nuit de Noel, Fleurs de Rocaille, Bellodgia, Muguet du Bonheur, Pois de Senteur and Tabac Blond.

In 1983, it was relaunched along with other long lost Caron fragrances, Acaciosa, Pois de Senteur, En Avion, Vœu de Noël, N'Aimez Que Moi, and With Pleasure.

Then it was discontinued again. Relaunched again around 1999-2000, and more recently, reformulated with modern ingredients in 2011.

Note: There apparently exists two versions of this fragrance, "an American import and one made in France for sale only in Europe (as only potable alcohol was used in European perfume- due to antiquated laws reaching back to Prohibition Era). While poisonous additives are added to the US imports and cheaper, harsher alcohol is used. This may sometimes affect the smell of the perfume." Thank you to basenotes member kumquat for this information.

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