I don't have either rose, but if you could find a copy of Anne Belovich's "Ramblers and Other Rose Species Hybrids", I'm betting she would have more precise (and accurate) descriptions. I realize it's a US-produced book, but it's been in print for a while. If there's no copy in a library near you, hopefully someone on the forum owns a copy and could look them up for you. I have this book on order, along with Anne's new "Large Flowered Climbing Roses", but they won't be here for another two weeks. If you haven't got a response by the time they arrive, I'll try to remember to check back in.

John

Thank you, John. I will check if I can get it here online. Public libraries around are still closed, we are still in partial lockdown.

It's not a pressing issue. If I can't find more info, I will risk choosing one of them or I will choose Alberic Barbier, depending on my mood. They are all pretty roses. It's for a pergola so I would like a fragrant rose there, so that's the main question.

Any experience with any of these roses is welcome, even if it is a minor experience like seeing it somewhere.

I've looked around at a few sites, and though it may be an exercise in futility, I've been comparing their descriptions of the two Pauls here in the US. There's no telling if they are even different roses, considering they've been muddled in commerce for years. But from the listings that give fragrance and bloom ratings, one gives PT "ff" (two out of four) for fragrance, and states no rebloom. Another site gives PT (assuming it's actually not PN, lol) the same fragrance rating, but gives it "rr" (two of possible four) for rebloom. I would assume that means a light, scattered rebloom, or a light autumn flush. So I can see why you're confused. I think you might inquire as to the provenance of the roses from each seller, to see if one or the other might have a more credible source. But even the great gardens of Europe have many mis-identified varieties, both due to death of the original plants (those wars tend to muddle things), and to loss of records.

I did find this quote from Anne Belovich: "Paul Noel is so strongly quilled that once you see it, you won’t make the same mistake...... those absolutely incredible quilled petals." That's from a presentation she gave in California. Another reference states PN has "long, slender branches".