Bottling the Parisian Night

Some perfumes carry with them the indelible scent of memory. Such is the case for Les Bains Guerbois, an exclusive range of fragrances first launched in 2015. The line’s inspiration is twofold: first, it harks back to the original Les Bains Guerbois spa, which opened in 1885 and was the first contemporary spa in Paris. The perfume line is also inspired by the legendary 1980s and ‘90s Parisian nightclub Les Bains Douches. Both establishments were set within the same historic building at 7 Rue du Bourg L’Abbé in Paris’ third arrondissement.

While Les Bains Douches closed its fabled doors in 2010, the locale has retained its mystique. In fact, the place reopened in 2015 as Les Bains, a bijou hotel that recaptures the glamour of the nightclub’s heyday. Directly across the street, at 2 Rue du Bourg L’Abbé, the hotel also operates La Boutique Les Bains, an edgy concept store that carries fashion, art and design pieces, as well as the full range of Les Bains Guerbois fragrances and body care products.

The four eaux de parfum that form the range include 1885 Bains Sulfureux, 1978 Les Bains Douches, 2013 Résidence d’Artistes and 2015 Le Phénix. The names and dates reference a key event for the establishment: its initial opening as a spa in 1885, its transformation into a nightclub in 1978, its ephemeral existence as a canvas for the world’s most renowned street artists in 2013 and, of course, its rise from the ashes to become an exquisitely designed hotel in 2015. The scents themselves capture the specific era of Les Bains’ existence, with musk, sandalwood, papyrus and violet combining to create 2013 Résidence d’Artistes, or cardamom, ginger, patchouli, cedar wood and amber blending to become 2015 Le Phénix.

Les Bains Guerbois products also include scented candles, a three-salt melting body scrub and flamboyant body oil. A treasured piece of Les Bains Paris to take home with you.

Visit laboutique.lesbains-paris.com

Words Marwan Naaman