Attrape Coeur

The Verdict

Guerlain Attrape Coeur, originally released in 1999 under the name Guet Apens (meaning "ambush" in French), is one of those fragrances that has only grown in stature since its discontinuation. Created by Mathilde Laurent, this oriental chypre composition earned four stars from Luca Turin, who aptly dubbed it "amber violets." Relaunched in 2005 as Attrape Coeur ("heart catcher") for the renovated flagship Guerlain store on the Champs-Elysees, it was tragically discontinued around 2010.

The fragrance community remains deeply divided on this one, but those who love it tend to cherish it as one of the finest modern Guerlain creations. Multiple reviewers place it in their all-time top five, and strangers have reportedly stopped wearers to ask what that marvelous, expensive-smelling scent is. It is both elegant and decadent, described by one devoted admirer as capturing "a piece of your soul seemingly caught in liquid amber."

What It Smells Like

The opening greets you with soft peach and rose, creating a fruity warmth that hints at the richness to come. This quickly gives way to a spiced floral heart where cinnamon mingles with violet, iris, tuberose, and jasmine in a swirling, indolic bouquet. The thick rose and jasmine core is bolstered by spices and musks, creating a composition that reviewers describe as symphonic in its layering.

As it settles, the signature Guerlinade accord emerges in the base, where vanilla, amber, sandalwood, oakmoss, and musk blend into an enveloping warmth. The drydown is what truly separates this from lesser fragrances: a musky sandalwood and amber accord with iris and vanilla slathered generously throughout. One reviewer likened it to candied violets drifting over a vintage dressing room, while another found echoes of gingerbread and Christmas pudding without actually crossing into gourmand territory.

When to Wear It

Attrape Coeur is a fragrance for cooler months and evening hours. Its density and warmth make it ideal for fall and winter, where the rich amber and spice notes can bloom without becoming oppressive. Romantic dinners, formal events, and special occasions are where this composition truly shines.

This is not a casual daytime scent. Its weight and complexity demand the right setting, one where its gradual unfurling can be appreciated over hours rather than rushed.

Longevity & Projection

Performance is solid for the Eau de Parfum concentration. The fragrance projects moderately at first, then settles into a closer sillage that rewards intimate encounters. One reviewer noted compliments came "after people had been around me for a while," suggesting it builds gradually rather than announcing itself from across the room. Longevity is good, lasting through an evening without difficulty.

The lighter Eau de Toilette formulation (sold as Vol de Nuit Evasion) is noticeably more sheer, becoming less prominent within thirty minutes.

The Community Says

This is a polarizing fragrance with passionate supporters and vocal critics. Devotees call it spectacular, a rich and sumptuous old-fashioned oriental chypre that was bound to be discontinued precisely because it was so good. One reviewer on Now Smell This described how it "grew on me more" throughout testing, transforming from initial liking to genuine love.

Detractors find it too powdery, too mossy, and too old-fashioned. Some describe it as overly dense and ponderous, with an unrelieved weight that becomes oppressive after an hour. This is clearly a fragrance that demands skin chemistry compatibility.

Who Should Buy This

Attrape Coeur is for the serious Guerlain collector and the lover of classic French perfumery. If you appreciate the house's signature Guerlinade accord and enjoy fragrances that unfold with sequential development over time, this is worth pursuing on the secondary market. It rewards patience rather than providing immediate gratification.

Those who find beauty in vintage-style compositions, where violet and iris meet warm amber and oakmoss, will find a treasure here. However, buyers should be prepared: discontinued bottles command premium prices, and finding authentic stock requires persistent searching.

The Bottom Line

Attrape Coeur stands as one of Guerlain's most accomplished modern creations, a dusky violet gem that wears like silk. Its discontinuation has only increased its mystique and collector value. For those willing to seek it out and pay the premium, it delivers a sophisticated, multi-layered experience that few contemporary releases can match.