Zadig & Voltaire

French designer brand blending creamy woods, vanilla, and fresh florals in modern, bold compositions.

Designer Official Website

About Zadig & Voltaire

Zadig & Voltaire is a Parisian fashion house founded in 1997 by Thierry Gillier, a descendant of the Lacoste dynasty. The brand quickly became recognized for its rebellious spirit, rock-inspired style, and effortless take on Parisian chic. Zadig & Voltaire brings this creative vision to its fragrance line, which launched in 2009 and has since garnered acclaim for its modern, sensuous compositions. The house draws inspiration from contemporary art and music, infusing each perfume with a signature attitude that’s both free-spirited and refined. Notable perfumers such as Michel Almairac, Sidonie Lancesseur, Nathalie Lorson, Aurélien Guichard, Mathilde Bijaoui, Quentin Bisch, and Amandine Clerc-Marie have crafted distinctive scents for the brand, often featuring a creamy sandalwood signature. With bestsellers like This is Her! and This is Him!, Zadig & Voltaire’s fragrances embody youthful energy and a confident, arty edge, appealing to those who appreciate individuality and a touch of Parisian rebellion.

At a Glance

The Brand

Founded 1997
Founder Thierry Gillier
Country France
Category Designer

Scent Personality

Sweetness
High
Freshness
Moderate
Boldness
High
Uniqueness
Moderate

Worth It?

Price ££
Value
High
Accessibility
High

Scent DNA

Sweet Woody Spicy Floral
  • Zadig & Voltaire fragrances are known for prominent creamy sandalwood, vanilla, and spicy accords often juxtaposed with fresh florals or citrus
  • Many scents feature a milky, musky woodiness, sometimes paired with roasted or nutty notes, creating a recognizable modern-gourmand twist

Top Notes

Pink Pepper Grapefruit Orange Blossom Jasmine Bergamot

Heart Notes

Peony Coffee Chestnut Cream Almond Vanilla

Base Notes

Patchouli Tonka Bean Musk Cashmere Wood Sandalwood

Typical Performance

Longevity
Long
Projection
Strong

Positioning

A designer, mid house known for sweet compositions.

How It Compares

Who It's For

Best For

  • Fans of creamy, woody-sweet fragrances with a modern edge
  • Those seeking bold signature scents for day or night
  • People who enjoy noticeable projection and long-lasting wear
  • Urban professionals and younger audiences attracted to contemporary, rock-inspired style

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

  • Distinct creamy woody-vanilla signature across the line
  • Good value and performance relative to price
  • Strong projection and longevity
  • Broad accessibility and easy to sample in retail

Weaknesses

  • Limited originality - many releases share similar DNA
  • Loudness may overwhelm those preferring discreet scents
  • Not suitable for those sensitive to sweet or musky wood accords

Brand Evolution

Zadig & Voltaire fragrances began with unisex woody-floral compositions and expanded into sweeter, gourmand-leaning releases featuring chestnut, vanilla, and creamy sandalwood. The core woody-musk style remains, but more recent lines add bolder sweetness and spicy elements, targeting a younger, mass-appeal audience.

Quick Verdict

Bold, sweet-woody designer scents with a creamy signature and strong performance. Great value and crowd appeal but limited in originality and subtlety.

Perfumers

Sidonie Lancesseur
Sidonie Lancesseur 3
Michel Almairac
Michel Almairac 2
Quentin Bisch
Quentin Bisch 2
Aurélien Guichard
Aurélien Guichard 1
Mathilde Bijaoui
Mathilde Bijaoui 1
Nathalie Lorson
Nathalie Lorson 1

Zadig & Voltaire Perfumes

Browse all 15 Zadig & Voltaire perfumes