For his debut collection as Trudon Creative Director, Hugo Ferroux presents a historical variation of fig, rooted in the 17th century.
“For my first project, I delved into the history of the House and the Court of Versailles. While exploring the Trudon archives as well as those of the Château, I quickly discovered references to the King’s Vegetable Garden and its Figuerie: an exceptional place where, under the impetus of Louis XIV, Jean-Baptiste de La Quintinie developed an ecosystem capable of producing year-round the Sun King’s favourite fruit: the fig. This fascinating story and the encounter of these two men inspired the creation of my first candle around this scent. It was crucial to craft a unique fig, true to the spirit of Trudon — noble, powerful and singular.” — Hugo Ferroux, Creative Director of Trudon
AN EXCEPTIONAL GARDEN
At the genesis of the King’s Vegetable Garden — an extraordinary, showcase of French horticultural expertise for 350 years — stands a visionary man: Jean-Baptiste de La Quintinie (1624–1688), a lawyer by training, turned agronomist. At the request of Louis XIV, he was the architect of the Garden’s construction (between 1678 and 1683) at the heart of the royal estate of Versailles. A technical feat for its time, the King’s Vegetable Garden was created on a marshy area sometimes called “the stinking pond” that La Quintinie drained to make fertile and suitable for cultivation.
Today, this remarkable cultural garden — a 9-hectare symbol of the splendour and power of Louis XIV’s court — is listed as a Historic Monument and recognised as UNESCO World Heritage.
THE ROYAL FIGUERIE
At the very core of this hub of horticultural innovation lies the Royal Figuerie (or Fig Tree House). It was commissioned by Louis XIV with a clear purpose: to grow fig trees so he could enjoy one of his favorite fruits all year long, including out of season. A pavilion built by Jules-Hardouin Mansart under La Quintinie’s architectural direction, the Figuerie is one of the garden’s jewels and a marvel of ingenuity. It combines a winning trio: architecture, microclimate, and horticulture. Grown in pots, the King’s fig trees enjoyed the greenhouse’s warmth in winter, and the heat reflected by the château’s walls during fair weather — allowing for year-round harvesting.
A STORY OF TASTE
To supply the King’s table with fruits and vegetables of exceptional quality and rarity, La Quintinie — then Director of the royal fruit and kitchen gardens — created a central “Grand Carré” of sixteen plots, surrounded by a dozen orchards and magnificent greenhouses, including the aptly named Figuerie. Among his writings is the Traité des Figues, where he speaks of “an exquisite and miraculous taste”, specifies that “the white ones must be favoured, for the delicacy and sweetness of their flesh”, and praises “good figs (…) surely the most delicious fruit one can have”.
ROYAL FIG, IN THE SHADE OF THE GREENHOUSES
Thanks to the Figuerie’s exceptional architecture, the figs — produced year-round — exuded a distinctive, unprecedented scent. In spring, aromas of fresh leaves, tree resin, damp earth and perfumed humidity would escape from within.
“What immediately captivated me was this notion of shadow and light, and how to translate it into fragrance. It reflects the duality between royalty and the vegetable garden — light symbolised by Louis XIV, and the darkness of the greenhouses and soil in which the fig trees were repotted. Figuerie is the interpretation of a winter garden awakening on the first day of spring, revealing a delightful scent” — explains Hugo Ferroux.
With this in mind, perfumer Émilie Bouge envisioned the fragrance of Figuerie. At morning dew on the first warm days, opening the greenhouse creates a magical olfactory moment: humid, vegetal air, where fresh green and sunlit facets mingle with earthy, moist notes.
“I was deeply struck by those fig trees moving from winter darkness to spring’s bright gardens,” — says Émilie Bouge.
The contrasted fragrance opens on a fresh note of white fig in its purest form: vibrant, green and woody — before revealing its shadowy side. Patchouli, a humus accord and earthy tones evoke fig trees sheltered for winter. A moss effect and a touch of sandalwood recall wooden crates.
In contrast, Ambroxan CX — the jewel of ambroxan — adds vibration: luminous and mineral, like sun-warmed stone façades. Finally, a note of artemisia enhances the spring character in its most organic truth.
“Though fig is a staple in perfumery, there was no fig-patchouli that, without leaning gourmand, expresses a refined and delicate fruit. With this richness, Figuerie fully reveals Trudon’s spirit,” — highlights Émilie Bouge.
A CELADON VESSEL
A true return to Trudon’s historical identity, the Figuerie collection is dressed in a new celadon glass. Originally, Céladon was a favourite character of the 17th-century French nobility, from Honoré d’Urfé’s L’Astrée, the first major French novel. Symbol of pure, gallant, refined love, he left a lasting mark on customs, fashion and even language of the time. The name “celadon” thus moved beyond literature into the vocabulary of painting, fashion and ceramics.
Already used for packaging, Trudon’s Celadon is here enhanced with hot-stamped gold — echoing the decorative arts of the 17th century, when silks, brocades and interiors often combined these two colours emblematic of the French aristocratic taste.
