
Fougère, the French word for 'fern', is a fragrance family inspired by the imagined scent of ferns, with deeper green or mossy, woody notes. Fougère fragrances are typically characterised by a blend of citrus top notes, often bergamot, an aromatic heart of lavender, and a touch of rose or geranium, balanced with base notes of oakmoss, vetiver and coumarin. Fougères are a diverse group of perfumes, ranging from classic and timeless to rugged and modern, and are especially popular as fragrances for men.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fragrance Family | Fougère |
| Olfactory Family | Masculine |
| Top Notes | Sweet, Citrus, Bergamot, Lavender, Thyme, Basil, Rosemary, Sage |
| Middle Notes | Geranium, Rose, Coumarin, Floral, Herbal |
| Base Notes | Woody, Earthy, Oakmoss, Tonka Bean, Patchouli, Vetiver |
| Other Notes | Green, Mossy, Fresh, Spicy, Peppery, Nutty, Sweet, Animalic |
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What You'll Learn
- Fougère is a French word for fern
- Fougère fragrances are inspired by the imagined scent of ferns
- Fougère is a masculine fragrance family
- Fougère fragrances are a combination of fresh, grassy, and mossy scents
- Fougère fragrances include top notes of lavender, middle notes of geranium and base notes of oakmoss

Fougère is a French word for fern
Fougère, pronounced [fu.ʒɛʁ], is a French word for "fern". It is one of the main olfactory families of perfumes. The name originated with Houbigant Parfum's Fougère Royale, created by owner Paul Parquet in 1882. Parquet sought to capture the scentless image of ferns in fragrant form. Fougère perfumes are made with a blend of fragrances: top notes are sweet, with the scent of lavender flowers; as the more volatile components evaporate, the scents of oakmoss and coumarin become noticeable. Aromatic fougère, a derivative of this class, contains additional notes of herbs, spice and/or wood. Fougères are historically defined as an accord of oakmoss-coumarin-lavender, with the coumarin-lavender being the key component separating it from chypres.
The Fougère fragrance family is inspired by the imagined notes of ferns, deeper green or mossy, woody notes and is a generally more masculine fragrance family. The Fougère is a diverse group that focuses on the blend of a citrus top note, frequently bergamot, an aromatic heart of lavender, and a touch of rose which can also be replaced by the more herbal rosiness of geranium, balanced with deeper notes of oakmoss, vetiver and coumarin. These are the classic notes that combine in a fougère or fern-like fragrance. Fougère perfumes are especially popular as fragrances for men, with many modern fougère perfumes having various citrus, herbaceous, green, floral and animalic notes included. The most common additions to the basic fragrance blend include vetiver and geranium. Bergamot is often present to add sharpness to the lavender top note.
Many fougère scents remind people of barbershop/shaving products and usually contain some aromatic notes, such as lavender. Examples of men's fragrances that fall into the fougère class include Sartorial by Penhaligon's, Brut by Fabergé, Paco Rabanne Pour Homme, and Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche. Lately, a lot of companies have started selling unisex and female fougère fragrances.
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Fougère fragrances are inspired by the imagined scent of ferns
Fougères are typically masculine fragrances, often used in men's perfumery, and are characterised by fresh, grassy, and mossy scents. They are described as classic, timeless, and classy. While fougère fragrances are usually marketed towards men, some companies have started selling unisex and female versions of these perfumes.
The herbaceous top notes of a fougère fragrance typically include lavender, sage, rosemary, thyme, and basil, blended with bergamot and other citrus scents. The middle notes are often floral and herbal, featuring geranium, coumarin, and rose, which can be replaced by the more herbal rosiness of geranium. The base notes are woody and earthy, with oakmoss, tonka bean, patchouli, and vetiver.
Examples of men's fragrances that fall into the fougère class include Sartorial by Penhaligon's, Brut by Fabergé, Paco Rabanne Pour Homme, and Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche. Fougère fragrances are known for their complexity and diversity, with new interpretations unfolding every decade. For instance, in the 1960s, Aramis emerged as a classic fougère with a drier, more herbaceous, and spicier character.
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Fougère is a masculine fragrance family
Fougère fragrances are characterised by fresh, grassy, and mossy scents, often with a citrus top note of bergamot, an aromatic heart of lavender, and a touch of rose which can also be replaced by the more herbal rosiness of geranium. Fougères also typically feature herbaceous middle notes of geranium, coumarin, and other floral and herbal scents, and base notes of oakmoss, tonka bean, patchouli, and other woody and earthy scents. Fougère fragrances are described as classic and timeless, and are especially popular as fragrances for men.
Many modern fougère perfumes have various citrus, herbaceous, green, floral and animalic notes included. The most common additions to the basic fragrance blend include vetiver and geranium. Fougère fragrances are known for their complexity and diversity, with new interpretations unfolding every decade.
Examples of men's fragrances which fall into the fougère class include Sartorial by Penhaligon's, Brut by Fabergé, Paco Rabanne Pour Homme, and English Blazer by Yardley London. Lately, many companies have started selling unisex and female fougère fragrances as well.
The concentration of fragrance oils in a fougère perfume will determine its intensity and longevity. Eau de Toilette typically contains 5-15% oil and lasts around two to four hours on the skin, while Eau de Parfum contains 15-20% oil and is more intense and longer-lasting, staying on the skin for four to six hours or more. Parfum, at the top of the hierarchy, contains 20-30% perfume oil and can last on the skin for eight hours or more.
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Fougère fragrances are a combination of fresh, grassy, and mossy scents
The aromatic heart of a fougère fragrance is often lavender, which can be blended with rosemary, thyme, basil, or other herbaceous notes. Some fougères may also include a touch of rose, which can be replaced by the more herbal rosiness of geranium. Fougères can also feature middle notes of geranium, coumarin, and other floral and herbal scents. Fougères are typically considered masculine fragrances, and many popular men's fragrances fall into this category. However, some companies have started selling unisex and female fougère fragrances as well.
The base notes of a fougère fragrance are typically woody and earthy, with notes of oakmoss, tonka bean, patchouli, and other earthy scents. Fougères are known for their complexity and depth of scent, and they are often described as classic and timeless. The first fougère fragrance was created in 1882 by perfumer Paul Parquet for Houbigant Parfum, and it was called Fougère Royale. This perfume sought to capture the scentless image of ferns in fragrant form and changed the landscape of masculine perfumery.
Some modern fougère perfumes include various other notes, such as vetiver, geranium, and animalic notes. Fougères are known for their distinctive, complex, and intriguing scents, and they have evolved considerably over the years. With each decade, new interpretations unfold, and the genre continues to grow in popularity, particularly for men's fragrances.
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Fougère fragrances include top notes of lavender, middle notes of geranium and base notes of oakmoss
Fougère, a French word for "fern", is a subfamily of fragrances that combine fresh, grassy, and mossy scents. Fougère perfumes are made with a blend of fragrances, with top notes being sweet and floral, featuring the scent of lavender flowers. As the volatile components evaporate, the scents of oakmoss and coumarin, similar to the scent of new-mown hay, become noticeable.
Lavender is a classic and popular herbaceous top note in fougère fragrances. Other top notes include sage, rosemary, thyme, and basil, often blended with citrus scents like bergamot. Fougères are also known for their aromatic heart of lavender, sometimes complemented by a touch of rose.
The middle notes of a fougère fragrance are typically floral and herbal, with geranium being a common choice. Geranium has a herbaceous, pungent, and smoky aroma, adding a unique and interesting layer to the fragrance. Other middle notes may include camphor, which provides an energizing and zesty scent, bridging the soft floral top notes with the rich, woody base notes.
The base notes of a fougère fragrance are earthy and green, with oakmoss being a classic and defining element. Oakmoss provides a woody, sharp, and slightly sweet scent, derived from a species of lichen. Fougère fragrances often include other base notes such as vetiver, patchouli, and tonka bean, adding depth and warmth to the overall aroma.
Overall, fougère fragrances create a timeless and masculine scent, reminiscent of a walk through a forest or a shady garden, with its blend of fresh, green, and mossy notes.
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Frequently asked questions
Fougère, meaning "'fern' in French, is a fragrance family inspired by the imagined scent of ferns, with deeper green or mossy, woody notes.
Fougère fragrances typically feature top notes of sweet lavender, middle notes of geranium, and base notes of oakmoss and coumarin. Citrus scents, especially bergamot, are often added to provide sharpness.
Popular men's fragrances that fall into the fougère class include Brut by Fabergé, Prada for Men, Eternity for Men by Calvin Klein, and Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche.
While fougère fragrances are traditionally masculine, some companies have started selling unisex and female fougère fragrances. For example, Artillery No. 4 Vetiver by Angela Flanders is a gender-neutral scent that blends vetiver with bergamot and lavender.
Fougère fragrances are popular because they offer a diverse range of scents, from rugged and spicy to green and classy. They are often described as classic, timeless, and masculine.


























