Shalimar: Chauve Souris Flacons

Please note that this is an updated blog post of my original from 2010 which was found on my defunct website guerlainperfumes.webs.com. All photos and information was gathered at that time and published in 2010. Many of my collages and informative photos have been repurposed by other websites (not my own) and do not give credit to where they got them (my blog). In 2013, I had made the move to blogspot, so all previously published articles are now found here - with most being updated with any new info.




Flacon Chauve Souris (The Bat) c1924- present

Shalimar extrait de parfum was presented in several different flacons over the years, and all bottles will have a gilded batwing shaped label. The oldest design is its original one from 1925, the urn shaped flacon, called the "Chauve Souris" by Baccarat (#597).

Shalimar Secret de Parfum c2002 Limited Edition Bottle

Shalimar Secret de Parfum by Guerlain: launched in 2002 as a limited edition flacon for Shalimar, it was titled "Shalimar Secret de Parfum". The tall, cylindrical, modern styled blue glass splash bottle held 1 oz of eau de parfum and was topped off by the familiar blue fan stopper. The juice has not been changed, it is the same Shalimar eau de parfum.

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Shalimar - Black Mystery Bottle c2007

In 2007, Guerlain unveiled Shalimar 'Black Mystery', a limited edition collector’s release designed especially for the Christmas holiday season. This opulent presentation reimagined the iconic Shalimar in a striking new black-themed packaging, exuding an air of mystery, elegance, and timeless luxury. While the fragrance itself remained unchanged, the emphasis was placed on the exquisite flacons, which transformed the familiar perfume into a rare and covetable object of desire for collectors and connoisseurs alike.

For the parfum concentration, Guerlain chose to house Shalimar 'Black Mystery' in a sumptuous black Baccarat crystal flacon, a true masterpiece of craftsmanship. Baccarat, known for its exceptional crystal artistry, created a bottle that elevated Shalimar’s already legendary status. The sleek, inky black glass lent an aura of secrecy and sensuality, reflecting the deep and voluptuous character of the fragrance within. The rich gold lettering and accents against the jet-black surface further enhanced the bottle’s luxurious appeal, making it an extraordinary collector’s piece.

The Eau de Parfum was presented in a black glass spray bottle, maintaining the same darkly sophisticated aesthetic. This version provided a more modern and practical interpretation, allowing wearers to experience Shalimar’s timeless scent in a contemporary format while still enjoying the allure of its dramatic, noir-inspired flacon. Unlike the Baccarat parfum bottle, which emphasized artistry and exclusivity, the Eau de Parfum’s presentation was designed for both daily wear and display, ensuring that the beauty of Shalimar 'Black Mystery' could be appreciated in a more accessible form.

Despite these visually striking new designs, Guerlain made no changes to the legendary Shalimar formula. The fragrance retained its unmistakable blend of bergamot, opulent iris, warm vanilla, and smoky incense, remaining as sumptuous and evocative as ever. This ensured that while the bottle exuded a new mystique, the essence of Shalimar remained untouched—a testament to the enduring perfection of Jacques Guerlain’s masterpiece.

The launch of Shalimar 'Black Mystery' in 2007 was not just a celebration of the fragrance’s grandeur, but also a tribute to Guerlain’s heritage of craftsmanship and artistry. By presenting Shalimar in such sumptuously dark and elegant bottles, Guerlain reaffirmed its commitment to both innovation and tradition, creating a perfume presentation that remains an unforgettable part of the house’s legacy.

 

From Guerlain:

Among the most prominent and legendary fragrance in history, Shalimar was created as an ode to love. To recapture that magical feeling, Guerlain reinterpreted the Shalimar legend, with a nod to designer Philippe Starck. Much like his famed black crystal Baccarat chandelier, the latest offering from the Shalimar family is a modern rare jewel. Crafted of smoky black crystal with burnished gold accents, the beloved oriental scent of Bergamot, Iris, Vanilla and Amber finds a new home in this mysterious and striking flacon.

Shalimar c2006 Christmas Limited Edition

Christmas Limited edition packaging for Shalimar, the juice remains the same.

This fragrance eternal, the most beautiful evocative tale of thousand and one nights, still marvel.

Nestled in a gorgeous bottle, filter the mythical heart of jasmine, fresh bergamot and daring enveloping sensuality of vanilla, dressed in gold and blue as a sapphire for the occasion. 

Shalimar by Guerlain, € 83 retail. Eau de Parfum 75 ml spray.

Shalimar 80th Anniversary Années Folles Limited Edition Bottle c2005

In 1925, Jacques Guerlain created Shalimar, the perfume that reinvented the world of fragrance and signaled the birth of the Oriental fragrance family. To celebrate 80 years of Shalimar, the House of Guerlain has created a bottle reminiscent of the Art Deco era that embodies the style of the Roaring Twenties

Shalimar for Women by Guerlain Eau de Parfum Spray 2.5 oz - 80th Anniversary Limited Edition Années Folles Collector Bottle. 

The bottle has a transparent gold finish on the glass and a gilded foil label.  Only the packaging is different, the juice stayed the same.

Shalimar Limited Edition - Prestige Edition c2004

Prestige Edition of Shalimar. The 60ml eau de parfum is presented in an elegant atomiser. The flacon features a baudruchage seal fringed with silk threads. It is housed in a suedette-lined midnight blue case, and retailed for about €255.

Chypre de Paris by Guerlain c1909

Chypre de Paris by Guerlain, launched in 1909, carries a name rich in cultural and olfactory significance. The word "chypre" is French for Cyprus, evoking the island known for its natural beauty and the raw materials historically used in perfumes. Chypre perfumes are defined by a contrast between fresh citrus top notes and deeper, earthier base notes like oakmoss and labdanum. Guerlain's choice to pair "Chypre" with "Paris" in the fragrance's name reflects a fusion of the exotic and the cosmopolitan, situating the fragrance within the heart of Parisian sophistication and timeless elegance.

The name Chypre de Paris would evoke images of the Mediterranean's sun-soaked coasts, combined with the modern, fashionable atmosphere of Paris. The scent likely conjured feelings of luxury, adventure, and refinement, appealing to women who wanted a fragrance that felt worldly yet distinctly French. In interpreting the fragrance, one might imagine a blend of zesty citrus and warm, mossy undertones—an aroma that felt at once fresh and grounding, much like the balance between nature and urbanity that the name suggests.