Canoé is an eau de toilette composed by Jean Carles for the house of Dana, in Paris, in 1935. Dana now describes it as an aromatic fougère and a true expression of masculinity: bergamot and petitgrain at the top, a heart of lavender, fougère accord and geranium, and a base of patchouli and musk. Brought to America by U.S. soldiers, the fragrance is part of the Smithsonian’s collections.
Box and label adorned with five flags from the international maritime signal code, spelling out the name C.A.N.O.E.
Canoé’s decoration comes down to a line of flags. According to the presentation of the eau de toilette in France, the five flags printed on the packaging belong to the international maritime signal code and, through their position and color, spell out the word C.A.N.O.E.
The Smithsonian holds two dummy bottles from the line, an eau de cologne and an after-shave, about 11 cm tall and 5 cm wide, each in its box. Dana now sells the eau de toilette as a splash or a spray.