Hoooo, boy. I can't decide what I should say. I am not great at picking apart notes, but I guess I am ok at conjuring up visuals. Years ago I went to Paris, and stepped into the Notre Dame Cathedral, hoping I wouldn't burst into flames. I was immediately humbled by the serene atmosphere...not too bright, perfectly candlelit. Beautiful scenery...dark benches, and a comfortable silence that I will never forget. And of course, incense. Oh, the incense. This scent takes me to that moment.

It smells like the goth boy I never met at the goth club years ago. The ones I met always smelled like pizza.

Also, let's talk about Morrissey. I crushed on him for YEARS, and it excites me even more that he smelled like this. Just sayin'

I have not been to catholic mass, I am not familiar with a lot of incense fragrances, I just know that I like them. Less is more with this as it comes in like a lion. I guess I can pick up Frankincense? Am I right?

I am kinda mad that cooler weather is wrapping up because I want to wear it longer than I have!

Avignon definitely lives up to the hype; I just can’t get enough of this fragrance! Several fantastic reviews have already described Avignon, so I really do not have much to add except that Avignon=man trap. Yes, that’s right; I’ve been wearing it every day for about a week now and I have received more compliments per (arbitrary) unit of time than with Hypnotic Poison and Angel. I’ve already given away two decants. This stuff is a drug!!!

I'm a fanatical lover of real frankincense. I love the lemony, piney smell of frankincense tears, I love burning it, steaming it, and sometimes even chewing it like gum. It has a distinctive and lovely scent. I disagree with reviewers who state that Avignon smells like frankincense because...well...it just doesn't. It certainly has some frankincense essential oil (which is a bit boring compared to the piney and almost urinaceaous smell of real frankincense tears), but it also has conspicuous ingredients like vanilla and myrrh and other things as well. It's a fine "incense" fragrance, where "incense" is a very general and broad term, but not really a fine frankincense fragrance, as there is so much else going on here that it's not indicative of what frankincense actually smells like. For that reason, it's just not up my alley. If you are a fan of this kind of incense fragrance, try Juozas Statkevicius perfume which smells somewhat similar. But if you love a truer frankincense, then try Encens Flamboyant by Annick Goutal.

I had to go back and edit this review after realizing that I was completely wrong about Avignon. After finishing most of my decant, I realize that this is a stunning, complex scent, and I plan to buy a full bottle. It is more intense and less woody than Bois d'Encens, and to my nose more focused than Cardinal or Jubilation XXV. I would happily wear any of the scents mentioned, but for that Catholic Mass feeling, Avignon is the HG.

I'm obsessed with the smell of incense, and while researching different incense scents, I read that Morrissey wears Avignon and I was instantly sold on the idea of trying this fragrance. I'd say this definitely leans towards a cool, masculine vibe, but I find it to be really clean, cold, and intoxicating. This isn't warm, stoned hippie Nag Champa incense, this is incense floating around an empty church mingled with the scent of burning candles and waxed pews in the background. When this fragrance mixes with the cold air, it makes me feel dizzy with longing and happiness. It gives me that free feeling that I get when the windows are rolled down, and I'm driving through the mountains. This is perfect for the spooky, melancholy months of Autumn. If I smelled this scent on a man, it would completely blow my mind. Watch out, Morrissey!
The only down side to this fragrance is the price, Ouch. I ordered a small bottle on the Perfumed court for a reasonable rate, but I don't think I'd ever fork out a wad of cash for the large size.

I have to say i don't know how a catholic church smells. Avignon smells to me like being lost at night in a dark dense winter forest with wolfes houling in the distance - frightening. althogh it's not a bad scent, no person should smell like this.

This month I have found some old favorites that I wanted to revisit. Lately, I have been on an incence kick and CdC does this better than most. Avignon takes me back to my 3 weeks in Spain where I went into a different cathedral each day. It opens with a strong francincense note. It has a bold, almost religious opening - similar to the feeling I get when I spritz Armani Bois d'Encens (at a much beter price). It's like being in a old gothic cathedral where you smell rising damp as well as smokiness.
As it settles, I smell a smoky incense, something resinous, and a bit of bitter pine/herb. It's beautifully crafted and lacks any sweeteness on my skin. While it's not my favorite of the series, it is really well crafted.
This is a great layering scent. If you use a shower gel that is slightly sweet, powdery, or has a light musk, this is a fabulous combination which feminizes the fragrance which is incredibly unisex on it's own. Try layering it with Serge Lutens Clair de musc - gorgeous!

While I'm impressed that someone could reproduce the smell of the book filled basement of an old church, I would not want to be the wearer of such a scent. Almost a spooky smell.

So beautiful! I can't decide whether it's a church or possibly a sunny forest, or both. Probably both. It's not the perfumey kind of incense, but the nature-like kind of incense, which reminds me of walking in a forest or on a mountain on a sunny day, smelling the Boh Myrtle and the warm ground.

I love this fragrance for layering and I repurchase this regularly. I love this so much and I consider this an absolute essential for me. I don't wear this in the summer but it's beautiful. I don't want a lot of people to buy this though because I consider this part of my signature scent. It's very unique and not at all like anything I've ever smelled. A better more refined sexy scent than head shop hippie incense scented roll-on oil version. A very chic dirty scent.