Voyages Imaginaires L'échappée Sauvage Review

Voyages Imaginaires L’échappée Sauvage by Karl.

“Memories are clear, ideas near birth. And yet. They come and go, mix, spin and turn around in a joyous dance. Then, one morning, the perfume reveals itself and extends its hand. The puzzle falls into place in a dazzling second.” – a note from the brand.

Isabelle Doyen with Ermano Picco and Karl

I had the pleasure of meeting with Isabelle Doyen back in 2022 at the Magna Pars L’Hotel à Parfum in Milan. On the balcony, surrounded by gardenias, she talked me through the creative process of Voyages Imaginaires. In all honesty, I was truly star struck, so it was a task to focus all my attention on her poetic words and crystal-clear vision of developing perfumes and utlising natural ingredients in a methodical and artistic way.

Photo of the Mediterranean courtesy of the brand for use in this article.

Voyages Imaginaires L’échappée Sauvage is a tribute to the Mediterranean. The presentation of the flacon reflects co-founder Camille Goutal’s keen eye for detail and design with its clean lines, photographic inner label and classic presence. Imagine if you will, walking through fields of aromatic lavender, the twigs of trees crackling underfoot, the wafts of pine intermingling with lemon. A sensory experience with the warmth of the evening sun on your neck and shoulders and a fig tree in the distance offering cover and solace.

Image of a fig tree courtesy of the brand for use in this article

Voyages Imaginaires L’échappée Sauvage is an interpretation of the verdant aspects of the fig tree as opposed to the milkier and lactonic variations which are more commonplace. This effect has been magnified with the use of cedar and gaiac wood. By utilising only natural ingredients the balance required is itself a fine art due to the volatility of naturals and one specific note overwhelming the rest. This was explained in depth by Isabelle Doyen, with us being able to sample each ingredient individually to further understand the process involved.

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Bergamot and lemon create a warmth in combination with pink pepper which gives that initial zing to the scent. Galbanum is not listed, but I suspect it may have snuck its way into the composition as there is a slightly resinous quality and accentuated greenness to the perfume. Whilst I would not classify this scent as sweet the crispness is off set with the use of lemon and tonka bean which rounds it and provides a comforting aspect. These are absolutely essential to the relaxed vibe of Voyages Imaginaires L’échappée Sauvage. For those asking for a classic approach with a modern edge created with sustainability at its heart then this could be the perfume for you.

Voyages Imaginaires L’échappée Sauvage launched in 2020.

Notes: Fig, cedar, pink pepper, guaiac wood, bergamot, lemon, tonka bean.

Voyages Imaginaires L’échappée Sauvage kindly sent to Karl for review purposes. Thoughts are my own.

Karl Topham, Senior Editor

Voyages Imaginaires Comme Un Gant was a best of 2024 for Michelyn and for Sandi; Michelyn & Ermano’s Best of 2021 where Voyages Imaginaires was voted best Natural Fragrance House. Nicoleta’s review of Le Grand Jou, Ida Meister’s review of Tea & Rock N Roll

Karl’s photo of L’échappée Sauvage

Thanks to the generosity of Voyages Imaginaires we have a 75 ml bottle of Voyages Imaginaires L’échappée Sauvage for one registered reader in the EU or USA You must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what you find most interesting based on Karl’s review of L’échappée Sauvage and where you live. Draw closes 01/2025

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8 comments

January 19, 2025 at 2:46 pm
Scentofme says:
Voyages Imaginaires L’échappée Sauvage sounds like a tribute to the Mediterranean. I like the focus on natural ingredients for this line. From EU.
January 19, 2025 at 3:13 pm
Sybelle16 says:
A tribute to the Mediterranean that is the biggest takeaway from the review. The region is one of my favorite places to vacation with its sunny, warm climate, whiffs of citrusy notes, fig trees and florals in the air, depending on where you are in the region, L’échappée Sauvage embodies all those elements. This scent focuses on the pairing of Bergamot and lemon for citrus twist and an emphasis on fig, guaiac wood and the cedar this scents level of sweet is subtle as the tonka is tempered by the lemon. Overall subtle yet classic and modern; would be perfect for everyday wear, the office or to an event.
USA
January 19, 2025 at 3:13 pm
Ramses Perez says:
Whenever I see a fig note on a fragrance, immediately sign me up. Taking on different styles but creamy is my favorite, this one seems to balance it all with the other natural notes to perfection. Like Isabella explained the construction of the fragrance was rather difficult as they didn’t want one natural ingredient to overpower the next and had to carefully measure quantities of each. This is what masters worry about when they compose a fragrance, yielding their desired result (and whoever commissioned it). The fragrance does cream summer and we’re going through a brutal winter but once warmer days are here, this will bloom and you will imagine yourself in a Mediterranean coast. I’m located in the USA.
January 19, 2025 at 3:21 pm
Brad Woolslayer says:
I like fig fragrances, and this sounds like an interesting take on that particular note. I live in Maryland USA.
January 19, 2025 at 3:33 pm
CalebZ says:
I find most interesting the process in which is undertaken to capture the essence of a specific place like the Mediterranean and I appreciate the difficulty working with volatile ingredients. True artistry! Seattle
January 19, 2025 at 3:37 pm
Scentlogue says:
Based on Karl’s review, what really caught my attention about L’échappée Sauvage is its unique interpretation of the fig tree. I love how it focuses on the green, verdant side of fig instead of the usual creamy, milky vibe we see in so many other fig-based fragrances. The way Karl describes the interplay of cedar and guaiac wood creating a natural, fresh warmth makes it sound like a perfect Mediterranean escape in a bottle.

Also, the thought of walking through lavender fields with hints of pine, lemon, and fig sounds absolutely dreamy. The emphasis on natural ingredients and the delicate balancing act that Isabelle Doyen mastered to avoid one note overpowering the others really makes this scent stand out. Definitely feels like a fragrance that’s as much about the artistry as it is about the experience!

I am from the EU
January 19, 2025 at 4:41 pm
Naomi says:
This is amazing – I have been on the search on behalf of a friend lately for a fragrance with pink pepper, bergamot, cedarwood, and some richness or warmth. She and I are both passionate about natural fragrance, and I myself am a loyal fan of Camille’s mother, Annika, and her perfume legacy. This L’Ecole Sauvage could be the perfect “puzzle piece” for my friend who has been in search of something to fill the void left by a beloved discontinued fragrance. Thank you for this generous draw – if I win, it will be passed on to my friend! I live in the USA.
January 19, 2025 at 6:10 pm
Jeremi says:
The way Karl articulates how the fragrance plays with the senses is fascinating. He mentions that the scent is woody and fresh, almost salty, sensual, and very summery, which suggests a complex interplay of emotions and memories the perfume can evoke. This depth in emotional resonance makes the perfume stand out as more than just a scent but as a piece of olfactory art. I live in Poland, EU.