Series 3: Incense - Avignon Parfum by Comme des Garçons | Fragrance Fragrance
What does Series 3: Incense - Avignon smell like?
Avignon doesn't smell like a fragrance inspired by a church — it smells like the church itself. Bertrand Duchaufour's 2002 creation for Comme des Garçons opens with a dense, balsamic frankincense that...
The dominant reference point in fragrance communities is unmistakably Catholic: an old cathedral, high Mass, cold stone, lingering incense smoke — and enthusiasts treat this authenticity as its central virtue rather than a quirk.
Avignon is frequently cited as the most "churchy" entry in the CdG Incense series, with some preferring Kyoto for a slightly less intense character, making the two a common internal comparison for newcomers to the line.
Performance is generally considered solid for a niche fragrance — it lasts well through the day without requiring heavy application, though sillage is moderate rather than room-filling.
The fragrance is polarizing along predictable lines: those who enjoy incense and resinous compositions tend to find it essential, while those expecting a more balanced or approachable scent find the smoke and resin genuinely overwhelming.
Fall and winter are the near-universal seasonal recommendations, with the fragrance frequently mentioned in the context of religious holidays, evening occasions, and cold-weather contemplative wear — casual or warm-weather use is rarely suggested.
