Vianne’s Confession: A Fragrance Born from Story and Place

Vianne’s Confession

The fragrance was developed to accompany the release of Joanne Harris’s new book, Vianne, the prequel to her much-loved Chocolat.

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending a fascinating talk hosted by The Fragrance Foundation UK about Vianne’s Confession, a bespoke scent created by perfumer Sarah McCartney of 4160 Tuesdays.

Joanne Harris, a lifelong scent enthusiast, collaborated closely with Sarah in her London studio. Together, they explored a rich palette of raw materials, seeking to capture the essence of Marseille in late summer and autumn. The result is a complex and evocative fragrance, described as part chocolaterie, part confessional, a blend reflecting the light and shadow of Marseille’s Old Quarter, its cobbled streets, geranium-filled doorways, and the sheltering presence of Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica.

Vianne’s Confession is layered with incense, cacao, salt, rose, geranium, musks, and intriguing notes such as attar mitti — an earthy aroma distilled from clay in India. The fragrance is not sweet but rather bittersweet, like high cocoa dark chocolate melting into the cool air of a stone church by the sea. It opens with smoky labdanum and incense, then softens to a salty, almost edible quality on the skin. Its longevity is remarkable, lingering from morning till night.

Joanne Harris’s passion for scent was palpable during the talk. She described how her own sensory memories informed the book and the fragrance and how creating Vianne’s Confession was a deeply immersive process. The scent will also feature in her book tour events, enhancing the experience of the story.

Sarah McCartney’s story as a largely self-taught perfumer adds an extra layer of interest. Her playful approach and generous sharing of knowledge through workshops invite others to explore the art and science of scent creation.

Jo Fairley of The Perfume Society named it Best in Show at the Barnes Fragrance Fair, praising its unique "sexy church" character. This phrase aptly captures the unusual yet compelling blend of sacred incense and rich, chocolaty warmth.

Personal Note

Listening to Joanne Harris speak brought back a memory from early in my own career. When I was starting out in film work, I often spent time near Shepperton Studios. I remember the buzz around the filming of Chocolat, some of the scenes being shot in the lot, and the excitement that surrounded the project.

It was interesting to hear Joanne share her hopes that Chocolat might be adapted into a series rather than just another film. She wished for more space to explore the characters and story arcs — something a series could offer. Like her, I’m hoping this adaptation will come to fruition, as it would provide the depth and time the story deserves.