It is a common orchid in many departments where it is sometimes found in large colonies. The inflorescence is usually quite developed with numerous flowers. The plant is tall: 20 to 60 cm. 

Gymnadenia have a reputation for developing a slight vanilla scent and this species won't shy away from it although sometimes the flowers can be odorless.

There is another close species: Gymnadenia odoratissima which will be very difficult to differentiate apart from a more pronounced smell. Sur le terrain therefore, unless you have 2 populations to observe in parallel, naming one and the other will be impossible and can only be confirmed by a specialist. The other morphological differences are quite subtle and relate to the size of the flowers, the shape of the lip in particular.