The iconic Flacon Abeilles, or “Bee Bottle,” was originally designed for Guerlain’s Eau de Cologne Impériale, created in 1853 for Empress Eugénie, the wife of Napoleon III. Produced by the distinguished glassmaker Pochet et du Courval, the bottle was instantly recognizable for its exquisite decoration: a field of raised bees, the emblem of the Napoleonic dynasty. The bee, symbolizing immortality and resurrection, had long been associated with power and sovereignty in France, and its adoption for the Empress’s personal fragrance gave the design both political and poetic resonance. Over time, this imagery was so closely tied to Guerlain that the bee became the house’s enduring emblem, still in use today.
The Flacon Abeilles was primarily used to hold eaux de cologne and eaux de toilette, emphasizing freshness, lightness, and daily luxury. Beyond its historic symbolism, the bottle carried with it a sense of personalization and exclusivity. Clients could commission their own monogram to be engraved on the glass, transforming the flacon into a bespoke possession. For those desiring an even greater touch of luxury, the bees themselves could be highlighted in gilded enamel, turning the bottle into a dazzling jewel-like object, suitable for display on a lady’s dressing table.
Elegant, historic, and infinitely adaptable, the Flacon Abeilles quickly transcended its original function. What began as a bespoke gift for an empress evolved into one of the most recognizable icons of French perfumery, embodying Guerlain’s artistry and deep connection to heritage. It remains not only a vessel for fragrance but also a lasting symbol of refinement and continuity within the house’s history.
- 125cc/125 ml/4.23 oz - 14 cm/5.15" (1947), ground ball stopper, then changed to plastic in 1982
- 250cc/250 ml/8.4 oz - 16 cm/6.3" (1947), ground ball stopper, then changed to plastic in 1982
- 500cc/500 ml/16.9 oz - 20 cm/7.87" (1947), ground ball stopper, then changed to plastic in 1982
- 1 liter/1000 ml - 23,5 cm/4.3"-9.25" (1853), truncated ground stopper, then changed to ball shape in 1947
- 2 liter/2000 ml - 31cm/8.27"-12.2" (1920), truncated ground stopper, then changed to ball shape in 1947
- In 1962, a cobalt prototype or limited edition was released, only for that year.
Since the 1990s, Guerlain has modernized the Flacon Abeilles to suit contemporary tastes and practical needs, adapting the historic design to accommodate spray mechanisms. While the silhouette and signature raised bees remain somewhat faithful to the 1853 original, the interior structure of the bottle was discreetly reworked so that it could be fitted with atomizers, allowing for a more convenient and controlled application of perfume. This evolution ensured that the Flacon Abeilles could continue to serve as both a symbol of Guerlain’s heritage and a functional object for modern consumers. The modification preserved the elegance and prestige of the design, while making it compatible with the way fragrance is most often worn today. In this way, Guerlain successfully bridged tradition and innovation, keeping an icon of 19th-century perfumery relevant well into the 21st century.
