The Royal Figuerie
At the very core of horticultural innovation in Versailles lies the Royal Figuerie (or Fig Tree House). It was commissioned by Louis XIV with a clear purpose: to grow fig trees so he could enjoy one of his favourite fruits all year long, including out of season.
A Matter of Taste
With this in mind, perfumer Émilie Bouge envisioned the fragrance of Figuerie. At morning dew on the first warm days, opening the greenhouse creates a magical olfactory moment : humid, vegetal air, where fresh green and sunlit facets mingle with earthy, moist notes.
“I was deeply struck by those fig trees moving from winter darkness to spring’s bright gardens.”
The contrasted fragrance opens on a fresh note of white fig in its purest form: vibrant, green and woody, before revealing its shadowy side. Patchouli, a humus accord and earthy tones evoke fig trees sheltered for winter. A moss effect and a touch of sandalwood recall wooden crates. In contrast, Ambroxan CX, the jewel of ambroxan, adds vibration: luminous and mineral, like sun-warmed stone façades. Finally, a note of artemisia enhances the spring character in its most organic truth.
“Though fig is a staple in perfumery, there was no fig-patchouli that, without leaning gourmand, expresses a refined and delicate fruit. With this richness, Figuerie fully reveals Trudon’s spirit.”
A Celadon Vessel
A true return to Trudon’s historical identity, the Figuerie collection is dressed in a new celadon glass. Originally, Céladon was a favourite character of the 17th-century French nobility, from Honoré d’Urfé’s L’Astrée, the first major French novel.
Symbol of pure, gallant, refined love, he left a lasting mark on customs, fashion and even language of the time. The name “celadon” thus moved beyond literature into the vocabulary of painting, fashion and ceramics. Already used for packaging, Trudon’s Celadon is here enhanced with hot-stamped gold, echoing the decorative arts of the 17th century, when silks, brocades and interiors often combined these two colours emblematic of the French aristocratic taste.
Inspiration
“For my first project, I delved into the history of the House and the Court of Versailles. While exploring the Trudon archives as well as those of the Château, I quickly discovered references to the King’s Vegetable Garden and its Figuerie: an exceptional place where, under the impetus of Louis XIV, Jean-Baptiste de La Quintinie developed an ecosystem capable of producing year-round the Sun King’s favourite fruit: the fig. This fascinating story and the encounter of these two men inspired the creation of my first candle around this scent. It was crucial to craft a unique fig, true to the spirit of Trudon — noble, powerful and singular.” — Hugo Ferroux, Trudon Creative Director
