
Evening in Paris, also known as Soir de Paris, is a perfume by Bourjois. It was created by perfumer Ernest Beaux and first released in 1928. The scent has top notes of apricot, bergamot oil, green notes, peach, and violet; a heart of Damascene rose, heliotrope, jasmine, lily of the valley, orris, and ylang-ylang; and a base of amber, cedar, musk, sandalwood, and vanilla. The fragrance was designed to be a low-cost mainstream scent and became popular among soldiers returning from war. Over the years, the formula has been updated, and some consider the original to be superior to the newer versions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Perfumer | Ernest Beaux |
| Year of Launch | 1928 |
| Top Notes | Bergamot, Apricot, Peach, Violet, Green Notes |
| Middle Notes | Jasmine, Turkish Rose, Violet, Iris, Ylang-Ylang, Heliotrope, Lily of the Valley, Orris |
| Base Notes | Amber, Cedar, Musk, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Soft Woods |
| Bottle Colour | Dark Blue, Cobalt Blue |
| Target Market | Mass Market |
| Price | Affordable |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Evening in Paris is a floral perfume with notes of violet, iris, heliotrope, rose, carnation, and peach
- The perfume was created by Ernest Beaux in 1928 for Bourjois
- It was initially marketed in the United States, where it was instantly popular, and later in France as Soir de Paris
- The perfume was affordable and popular with soldiers returning from war
- Evening in Paris is considered a classic, ageless perfume that is still relevant today

Evening in Paris is a floral perfume with notes of violet, iris, heliotrope, rose, carnation, and peach
Evening in Paris, also known as Soir de Paris, is a floral perfume with notes of violet, iris, heliotrope, rose, carnation, and peach. Created by perfumer Ernest Beaux, it was first released in the United States in 1928 and instantly gained popularity. The fragrance was designed as a "low-cost mainstream" scent and became widely successful, especially in America, before making its way to France.
The perfume has a strong violet opening, with a prominent peach note, and some reviewers note a resemblance to Chanel No. 5. As it dries down, the scent evolves, with the violet note remaining prominent. The base of the fragrance is soft and powdery, with hints of vanilla and woody notes.
The iconic blue bottle has been described as cobalt blue and silver, and the scent has become closely associated with Paris, with vintage advertisements featuring romantic imagery of the city.
Evening in Paris holds a special place in many people's memories, with some recalling their mothers or grandmothers wearing the scent. It evokes a sense of nostalgia and has been described as a classic, ageless perfume that remains relevant even in modern times.
Overall, Evening in Paris is a legendary fragrance that has stood the test of time, capturing the romance and allure of Paris in a bottle.
Get Rid of Lingering Perfume Scents in Your Car
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The perfume was created by Ernest Beaux in 1928 for Bourjois
The perfume that smells like an evening in Paris is called Soir de Paris, or Evening in Paris, and was created by perfumer Ernest Beaux for Bourjois in 1928. The fragrance was aimed at the mass market and was affordable to everyone. It was first released in the United States, where it was instantly popular, and later marketed in France as Soir de Paris. The perfume was packaged in cobalt blue and silver, the racing colours of the Wertheimer family, who owned both Parfums Chanel and Bourjois.
Ernest Beaux had become the in-house perfumer for Chanel and so, by default, also worked for Bourjois. In 1924, he created Chanel No. 5, which became a worldwide bestseller. In the same year, he created his first fragrance for Bourjois, Mon Parfum, which was well-received. However, it was his follow-up fragrance, Evening in Paris, that became a legend.
Evening in Paris was designed to take America by storm, and that is exactly what it did. Its success was repeated in the United Kingdom and eventually France. The perfume became a popular choice for soldiers returning from war, and even during wartime rationing, it remained an affordable luxury. The scent became so closely associated with France that American tourists brought home bottles from Paris, despite it originating in the United States.
Evening in Paris has been described as a sparkling floral fragrance with notes of violet, rose, carnation, and a hint of powder. It has a strong violet opening, with prominent peach notes, and has been said to resemble Chanel No. 5. The perfume has a soft, powdery base of vanilla and woody notes, with a warm and ageless quality.
The Dark, Sensual Scent of Caskmere Black
You may want to see also
Explore related products

It was initially marketed in the United States, where it was instantly popular, and later in France as Soir de Paris
The Evening in Paris perfume, also known as Soir de Paris, was initially marketed in the United States, where it became instantly popular. It was first released in 1928 by Bourjois, a company owned by the Wertheimer family, who also owned Chanel. The perfumer Ernest Beaux created this sparkling floral fragrance for Bourjois, which was famous for its makeup products.
Beaux had already created Chanel No. 5, which became a worldwide bestseller in 1924. He was then "borrowed" by Bourjois to create their first fragrance, Mon Parfum, which was well-received. However, Evening in Paris would become his most famous creation for the company. The perfume was designed to take America by storm, and that is exactly what it did. Its success was repeated in the United Kingdom, and eventually, it made its way to France.
In France, the perfume was renamed Soir de Paris, and it became a popular choice for soldiers returning from the war. Even during wartime rationing, it was an affordable luxury. The scent became so closely associated with France that American tourists brought home bottles of it as souvenirs from Paris, despite its American origins. The original fragrance featured top notes of apricot, bergamot oil, green notes, peach, and violet, with a heart of Damascene rose, heliotrope, jasmine, lily of the valley, orris, and ylang-ylang. The base notes included amber, cedar, musk, sandalwood, and vanilla.
Over time, the formula for Soir de Paris/Evening in Paris has been altered, and some people believe that the newer versions do not live up to the original. Some have described the newer versions as harsh and chemically, lacking the rich, warm, floral elegance of the classic fragrance. Despite this, the perfume remains a beloved and enduring scent, evoking memories and romance for those who wear it.
Air Purifiers: Can They Neutralize Perfume Scents?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The perfume was affordable and popular with soldiers returning from war
The Evening in Paris perfume, also known as Soir de Paris, was first released in the United States in 1928. It was created by perfumer Ernest Beaux for the cosmetic brand Bourjois. The fragrance was designed to be a "low-cost mainstream" product, affordable to everyone, including soldiers returning from war.
Beaux was the in-house perfumer for Chanel and, by default, also worked for Bourjois, which was owned by the Wertheimer family, who were also major shareholders of Parfums Chanel. In 1924, Beaux created Chanel No. 5, which became a worldwide bestseller. Following this success, he was "borrowed" by Bourjois to create their first fragrance, Mon Parfum, and then the famous Evening in Paris.
Evening in Paris was an instant success in the United States and was later marketed in France as Soir de Paris. The perfume was packaged in cobalt blue and silver, the Wertheimer family's racing colours. The advertising campaign featured romantic Parisian imagery, such as lovers by the Arc de Triomphe and the Paris skyline at night. This campaign was so successful that American tourists began to associate the fragrance with France and brought back bottles from Paris, even though it originated in the United States.
The scent of Evening in Paris is described as a sparkling floral fragrance with notes of violet, rose, carnation, and a hint of powder. It has a warm, rich, and elegant character, with a pleasant floral and fruity combination. The perfume has endured as a classic, and its affordability has contributed to its popularity, especially among soldiers returning from war.
Unlocking Black Opium: A Guide to Opening the Bottle
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Evening in Paris is considered a classic, ageless perfume that is still relevant today
Evening in Paris, also known as Soir de Paris, is a classic perfume that was first released in 1928. The perfume was created by Ernest Beaux, the famous in-house perfumer for Chanel, who was "borrowed" by Bourjois to create their first fragrance, Mon Parfum, in 1924.
Evening in Paris was designed to be a "low-cost mainstream" fragrance and was targeted at the mass market. It was an instant success in the United States, where it was first released, and later gained popularity in the United Kingdom and France. The perfume was even affordable during wartime rationing, and soldiers returning from the war often brought it back to France as a luxury item.
The scent is described as a bright, feminine floral with notes of violet, rose, carnation, and a hint of powder. It has a strong violet opening, which some may find overwhelming, but it dries down to a completely different fragrance that is more linear and balanced. The peach note is also prominent, and the perfume has a warm, powdery base with soft woods and a hint of vanilla.
Evening in Paris holds a special place in the hearts of many, evoking memories of loved ones and childhood. It is considered a classic, ageless perfume that is still relevant today. The scent has endured, with some describing it as a "beautiful, classic, and ageless perfume" that can "surprisingly have a place even in this day and age." The rich, warm, floral scent is elegant yet not over the top, and its affordability and accessibility have contributed to its lasting appeal.
Molecule 01: London Shopping Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Evening in Paris by Bourjois is a floral fragrance with notes of violet, iris, heliotrope, rose, carnation, and a hint of peach.
Evening in Paris was first released in 1928 as a low-cost mainstream fragrance. It was later renamed Soir de Paris and was marketed in France. The perfume was discontinued in 1969 and then revived in 1991 with a new formulation.
The original Evening in Paris bottle is dark blue or cobalt blue and silver, which were the racing colours of the Wertheimer family, the major shareholders of Parfums Chanel and owners of Bourjois.
The modern bottle is a squat, half-moon shape in cobalt blue with a silver label and cap.











































