En Passant by CA Perfume

What Smells Like En Passant.
Best Alternatives (2026 Guide)

Inspired by En Passant, our version brings together the fresh scent of lilac, cucumber, and watery notes for a uniquely green and floral experience. With a longevity of up to 6 hours, this HumanSafe™ verified fragrance is available in Oil, EDP Spray, and Duo Set formats.

Floral Greenfreshaquaticwhite floralozonicRomantic
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Why It Became Iconic

Why En Passant
Became an Icon

Launched in 2000, En Passant by Frederic Malle is celebrated for its delicate and realistic portrayal of lilac, capturing the essence of a spring garden. This fragrance has been featured in exhibitions on contemporary perfumery, including a notable showcase at Somerset House in London in 2017. Its innovative composition and ethereal quality have solidified its status as a modern icon in the world of perfumery.

En Passant is universally recognized for its fresh and floral scent profile, prominently featuring lilac, cucumber, and aquatic notes. The fragrance evokes a sense of springtime freshness, making it a favorite among those seeking a light and uplifting scent. Its unique blend of notes ensures that it stands out in the crowded fragrance market, appealing to a wide audience.

Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle
The House Behind The Original

Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle

Founded in 2000 by Frédéric Malle, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle is a French perfume house known for its collaboration with renowned perfumers to create unique and artistic fragrances. The brand positions itself as a leader in niche perfumery, focusing on quality and creativity. Malle's vision has transformed the fragrance industry, allowing for a more personal and expressive approach to scent.

Learn more
Olivia Giacobetti
The Perfumer Who Created The Original

Olivia Giacobetti

Olivia Giacobetti, born in 1966, is a renowned French perfumer celebrated for her innovative use of fig and floral notes in perfumery. She began her career at Annick Goutal and later founded her own laboratory, Iskia, in 1990. Giacobetti is known for her creations such as L'Artisan Parfumeur's Premier Figuier and Diptyque's Philosykos, showcasing her ability to evoke emotions through scent.

How We Build
Our Version?

Some fragrances become popular because they are extraordinary. Others become challenging once people try to live with them.

At CA Perfume, we study both sides — admiration and frustration — before we create anything. Not every fragrance deserves an interpretation. Here is how we decide & develop.

1
We Track the Market Signals

How Popular Is
the Original?

Before creating our version, we look at real-world demand — not hype, not trends, but sustained signals that tell us a fragrance has earned its place in people's lives.

Popularity is only one signal we consider. Sometimes a fragrance is selected because it has become a lasting bestseller; other times, it has been discontinued while still maintaining a loyal customer base. In both cases, what matters is clear, sustained demand.

Culturally Established
A benchmark fragrance with years of sustained demand — not a trend, a permanent fixture.
Discontinued
A loyal customer base left without access — demand is real, supply is gone.
Out of Reach
People want it — but the price, availability, or format puts it beyond everyday reach.
Only when a fragrance shows sustained relevance — not a spike — do we decide to develop our interpretation.
4131+ Verified Global Reviews
4.17 / 5 Average Rating Across Platforms
# 408 Most-Reviewed Unisex Perfume Perfume
Monthly How Often We Refresh These Signals
2
We Listen to Real Wearers

What Do People
Love — and Dislike?

Popularity tells us a fragrance matters. Reviews tell us where it falls short. We study thousands of verified opinions to find both — because our design brief comes directly from what real people said, not assumptions.

✓ What They Love
  • A modern lilac masterpiece
  • A perfect spring rain scent
  • Beautiful and elusive
  • Evokes nostalgic and happy childhood memories
  • Subtle, clean, and sophisticated power scent
✗ What They Dislike
  • High price point for an ephemeral fragrance
  • Poor longevity and weak projection
  • Limited availability in some regions
  • Concerns about ingredient transparency
  • Desire for a more intense scent
We Kept
The iconic lilac note
Refreshing cucumber and aquatic notes
Delicate and floral essence
Light and airy feel
Springtime freshness
We Solved
More accessible price point
Enhanced longevity and projection
Wider availability through our channels
Ingredient transparency through HumanSafe™
Improved wearability for daily use
Our Design Brief

Keep the magic.
Eliminate the negatives.

We design for everyday wear — not just for impact. The original deserves to be worn on a Tuesday, not saved for special occasions.

Verified Reviews Analysed
4131+
across Amazon, Fragrantica, Sephora, Walmart
3
We Study the Structure

How Do We Analyse
the Formula?

Before we mix a single drop, we map the original fragrance's composition using GC-MS analysis — Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry — to understand exactly what is present, at what concentration, and why it behaves the way it does on skin.

Then every ingredient goes through the HumanSafe™ evaluation system. Not just "is this permitted?" — but "is this genuinely good for your body at daily wear concentrations?"

Retain
Safe, functional, essential to the character. It stays.
Monitor
Acceptable at current levels. Tracked across every reformulation.
Replace
Substituted with a safer ingredient that does the same olfactory job.
The character stays intact. The risk does not follow it into the formula.
1
Stage 1
Original Ingredients
GC-MS Analysis
2
Stage 2
HumanSafe™ Evaluation
Retain · Monitor · Replace
3
Stage 3
CA Clean Formula
4
We Map the Mood

How Does It Make
You Feel?

A fragrance isn't just a scent — it's a psychological environment you carry with you. Every fragrance we work with gets mapped across six emotional dimensions through HumanSafe's Mood Architecture™ Index.

The map gets built two ways: through established olfactory and psychoacoustic research, and through a live human panel who wear samples blind and score each dimension independently. Our version has to match the original's mood profile — not just in scent, but in the feeling it creates.

Primary Mood Fresh
Secondary Mood Romantic
Inner Voice I am radiant.
Confidence
4.23
Presence
4.24
Mood Lift
6.02
Identity
4.33
Warmth
5.83
Social Ease
5.68
Energy
3.37
5
We Benchmark Against the Original

How Do We Know
Ours Holds Up?

Before any version leaves our lab, it goes through a structured comparison process — not just against the original reference, but also against leading competitors.

We don’t ask “does it smell nice?” We ask: does it perform comparably, note by note, hour by hour — and how does it stand in a blind test against both the original and the marke

We only release a version when it can stand next to the original — and hold its own.
1
Expert Analysis

A trained evaluator breaks down both fragrances side by side — top, heart, and base notes — and tracks longevity, projection, and development arc over 8 hours.

2
Blind Panel Test

Real people. One on each wrist. No labels, no context — just the scent. They choose which one they prefer. We only move forward when the result is genuinely competitive.

Our Final Interpretation

We Proudly Present
En Passant

3 Years in Development
We Kept
  • The iconic lilac note
  • Refreshing cucumber and aquatic notes
  • Delicate and floral essence
  • Light and airy feel
  • Springtime freshness
We Improved
  • HumanSafe™ verified — no phthalates or parabens
  • Available in multiple formats: Oil and EDP
  • Layering options for a personalized scent
  • Long-lasting freshness
  • Crisp and clean scent profile
Compare Side-by-side

En Passant vs En Passant

Same emotional signature. Cleaner formula. A fraction of the price. Here is exactly how the two compare — nothing hidden.

Comparing
En Passant
En Passant
Frederic Malle
En Passant
CA Perfume
HumanSafe™
Price
Starting from$290for 100ml
Starting from —
Longevity
4–6 hours (community reported)
6–8 hours (Oil) / 4–6 hours (EDP)
Skin Safety
Not DisclosedStandard luxury formulation — ingredient transparency not publicly disclosed.
HumanSafe™ VerifiedNo phthalates, no parabens, IFRA compliant.
Mood Index
Not MEI™ ScoredReference benchmark only.
MEI™ ScoredSee HumanSafe's Mood Architecture™ profile above.
Top Notes
Watery Notes,Cucumber,Galbanum
Lilac,Watery Notes,Cucumber
Heart Notes
Lilac,Lily of the Valley,Jasmine
—
Base Notes
Musk,Wheat,Cedar
—
En Passant
En Passant
Frederic Malle
Price
$290for 100ml
Longevity
4–6 hours (community reported)
Safety
Not Disclosed
Mood
Not MEI™ Scored
Top
Watery Notes,Cucumber,Galbanum
Heart
Lilac,Lily of the Valley,Jasmine
Base
Musk,Wheat,Cedar
En Passant
CA Perfume
HumanSafe™
Price
—
Longevity
6–8 hours (Oil) / 4–6 hours (EDP)
Safety
HumanSafe™ VerifiedNo phthalates, no parabens, IFRA compliant.
Mood
MEI™ Scored
Top
Lilac,Watery Notes,Cucumber
Perfecting the Scent

How to Wear En Passant Like a Pro

En Passant is best worn during spring and summer, offering a refreshing scent that is perfect for daytime activities. Its versatility makes it suitable for both casual outings and more formal occasions. Apply it lightly to pulse points for optimal projection and longevity.

Seasonal styling guide
Seasonal & Styling Guide

When & Where
to Wear It

Best for spring and summer, En Passant is versatile for both casual and formal occasions.

Ideal for the spring season, the fragrance complements blooming flowers and warm weather.
Perfect for daytime wear, providing a refreshing scent throughout the day.
A captivating scent for romantic evenings, enhancing your allure.
Subtle enough for the office, yet sophisticated to make an impression.
Application guide
Application Guide

Apply for Maximum
Longevity

Proper application enhances the fragrance's longevity and projection. Apply to pulse points where body heat is highest for optimal diffusion.

Apply to wrists and neck for maximum projection.
A light spritz on clothing can enhance longevity.
For a more intense scent, layer with a matching body lotion.
Do not rub wrists together after application to maintain the scent integrity.
The Art of Layering

Layer En Passant
for a Signature Scent

Art of layering

En Passant by CA Perfume is perfect for layering with other scents to create a unique fragrance experience. Consider combining it with complementary notes for a more personalized scent.

Layer with Vanilla

Vanilla adds warmth and sweetness, enhancing the floral notes.

Layer with Fresh Florals

Combining with other floral scents can amplify the spring essence.

Layer with Woods or Resins

Woods or resins can provide depth and complexity to the fragrance.

Need to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

Comparing En Passant with En Passant — longevity, performance & value.

En Passant by CA Perfume features fresh notes of lilac, cucumber, and watery accords, creating a crisp and floral scent reminiscent of spring.

While both fragrances share a floral profile, CA Perfume's version enhances longevity and offers a more accessible price point.

En Passant by CA Perfume lasts up to 6–8 hours when applied as an oil and 4–6 hours as an EDP.

Yes, En Passant is subtle yet sophisticated, making it perfect for everyday use, especially in spring and summer.

Absolutely! En Passant's fresh and floral scent makes it a great choice for date nights and special events.

Apply En Passant to pulse points like wrists and neck for optimal projection and longevity.

Yes, En Passant is HumanSafe™ verified, formulated without phthalates and parabens, making it suitable for sensitive skin.

En Passant is available in various formats including Oil, EDP Spray, and Duo Set.

En Passant is designed to evoke feelings of freshness and confidence, making it a mood-boosting fragrance.

En Passant by CA Perfume is priced more affordably than Frederic Malle's original, making it a great alternative.

Yes, En Passant layers beautifully with other scents, especially florals and fresh notes.

The top notes of En Passant include lilac, watery notes, and cucumber, providing a refreshing opening.

While En Passant shines in spring and summer, its fresh profile makes it versatile for year-round wear.

Store En Passant in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to maintain its quality.

To enhance longevity, apply En Passant to moisturized skin and avoid rubbing the fragrance after application.

Make It Yours

Find Your Signature
Scent Today

Experience the warmth, elegance, and lasting presence that have made this fragrance style unforgettable. Discover your perfect size and make it part of your daily ritual.

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