Take Note Of Parfums De Marly’s Latest Fragrance, Athénaïs

Take Note is your guide to the latest fragrance launches. We unpack the scent, who it’s made for and why it’s worth adding to the collection already on your beauty shelf.

Parfums de Marly’s latest fragrance, Athénaïs, feels like a subtle shift for the Maison. While the brand is typically associated with richly theatrical scents, this release leans brighter, softer and a little more spontaneous.

Inspired by Athénaïs de Montespan — the famously charismatic muse of Louis XIV — the fragrance explores a kind of femininity that feels both polished and instinctive.

The Scent

At first spritz, Athénaïs leans sparkling and juicy thanks to a trio of neroli, bergamot and yuzu. It’s fresh, yes, but there’s something sunnier and more playful happening here — like expensive citrus served at golden hour.

Then the fragrance softens into orange blossom and sambac jasmine, before settling into a creamy base of tonka bean, vanilla and amber.

The real hook is the contrast between neroli and tonka bean: one airy and luminous, the other warm, almond-like and slightly addictive. It stops the scent from becoming too sweet or overly powdery, which is often where floral fragrances lose people.

The Mood

Athénaïs sits comfortably between a fresh daytime fragrance and something warmer for the evening. The citrus opening keeps it light and easy to wear, while the tonka bean and amber base give it a softer, more lingering finish.

It feels best suited to autumn and spring, particularly for someone who gravitates towards polished but understated fragrances rather than anything overly sweet or overpowering. There’s a subtle sophistication to it that feels reminiscent of clean tailoring, gold jewellery, good cashmere and a slightly unbuttoned silk shirt. Feminine, though not in an overly delicate or traditionally floral way.

The Shelf

For anyone building a more considered fragrance wardrobe, Athénaïs occupies an appealing middle ground between crisp daytime scents and heavier evening perfumes. The tonka bean and vanilla notes make it especially compatible with musks, sandalwoods and skin scents, while the neroli keeps everything feeling lifted and modern.

But honestly, it’s worth buying for the balance alone. Too many “feminine” perfumes swing aggressively sweet or overly clean. Athénaïs sits comfortably in the middle: warm, sparkling, elegant and just self-aware enough to be fun.

$529 (approx) at Parfums de Marly