I quote Peter Beales here, “An elegant and sumptuous rose which can hold its own against any in the shrubbery”.  I don’t think anyone could have said it better and to me this would have to be one of my all time favourites.  Flowers are large, pure white and fully double, lovely scented and a green eye is exposed in the centre.  Spring flowering on a vigoruos, thorny shrub to 1.5 x 1.5m, although mine frequently gets to 1.8m tall.  Will tolerate some shade.  An outstanding cultivar for any garden.  Bred by Hardy in France, 1830.