Source Lectoure.

Source Lectoure takes its name from the historic town of Lectoure, once a centre of French tannery craft. In 2021, perfumer Nathalie Feisthauer was tasked with translating the spring water and sun‑baked limestone of that region into scent. She reached for mandora, a rare citrus that only grows in the nearby orchards, pairing it with Calabrian bergamot and a burst of cardamom to echo the town’s lively market stalls. The green thread of galbanum and lavender was added to recall the aromatic herbs that scent the surrounding fields, while the heart’s orange blossom nods to the blooming orange trees that line the old streets.

The composition leans on an uncommon trio of mandora, galbanum and Maillette lavender, a combination that gives the opening a bright yet slightly bitter edge, unlike typical citrus‑only flanks. By using worm‑like Artemisia (wormwood) the perfume gains a crisp, almost medicinal snap that sharpens the mandora’s sweetness. This green‑spicy backbone lets the later cedar and amyris settle without being swallowed, preserving a clear, mineral finish that feels like a cool spring after a sun‑kissed walk.

The first ten minutes explode with mandora’s honeyed citrus, instantly brightened by Calabrian bergamot and a whisper of petitgrain. Lavender and Maillette lavender add a soft, herbaceous veil, while galbanum and cardamom inject a green‑spicy bite that keeps the opening from feeling sugary. By the half‑hour mark the heart emerges: Tunisian orange blossom spreads a luminous, white floral veil, supported by Hedione’s airy radiance and lily‑of‑the‑valley’s fresh green water notes. As the perfume dries, the cedar and amyris lay down a smooth, dry wood, while oakmoss and ambroxan give a subtle earthy amber that lingers on the skin. The musk adds a barely‑noticed skin‑kiss, allowing the scent to fade into a clean, almost mineral afterglow that lasts roughly four to six hours before becoming a faint memory of citrus‑green woods.

Since its 2021 debut, Source Lectoure has been praised for translating a historic tannery town into a fresh, unisex scent. Wearers often cite its bright citrus‑green opening as a summer staple, while some note the oakmoss base can feel reminiscent of classic French leather oils. Its balanced profile places it alongside other niche citrus‑green fragrances, earning a modest but loyal following among those who appreciate understated elegance.