From the depths of the Guerlain archives, 46 original vintage flacons were carefully selected and restored—each an authentic relic from the house’s golden era. These bottles, with their 56ml capacity, were refilled with a new formulation of Vol de Nuit parfum, crafted to evoke the original’s mysterious balance of green, woody, and oriental notes. The flacons themselves retain their timeless Art Deco allure, their solid glass forms symbolizing both luxury and endurance.
Each bottle was lavishly adorned for the occasion: the metal label and stopper cover were meticulously gilded with genuine gold leaf, applied by hand to ensure a luminous, warm radiance that would catch the light like the gleam of an aircraft wing at dusk—an allusion to the fragrance’s name, “Flight by Night.” The gilding brought renewed life to the elegant geometry of the design, emphasizing the interplay of reflection and shadow that has long been part of Vol de Nuit’s mystique.
Released in an edition of only 46 numbered pieces worldwide, each bottle was priced at 6,500 euros, underscoring its rarity and the extraordinary craftsmanship involved. This commemorative edition was not merely a perfume, but a piece of Guerlain heritage, connecting past and present through artistry, memory, and scent—a testament to the enduring magic of Vol de Nuit and the house’s reverence for its own luminous history.
Vol de Nuit, whose name translates to Night Flight, draws its inspiration from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s 1931 novel, a poetic and haunting tale of courage, love, and sacrifice set during the dawn of aviation. The story captures the perilous romance of flight in its earliest days, when pilots braved uncertain skies guided only by starlight, radio signals, and faith. In the novel, a newly married pilot loses control of his aircraft during a storm, while his young wife waits anxiously in the control tower, her heart suspended between hope and despair. It is a narrative steeped in emotion—one that speaks to the human desire to transcend limits, even at great personal risk.
Jacques Guerlain, ever attuned to the poetry of life and art, transformed this story into fragrance in 1933, crafting Vol de Nuit as a vibrant olfactory homage to both the heroism of flight and the emotional strength of the women who loved these daring men. The perfume mirrors the tension between darkness and light, evoking the gleam of propellers slicing through a stormy night sky, and the warmth of the human spirit that endures beneath it.
To Guerlain, Vol de Nuit symbolized not only the romance of aviation but also a new vision of femininity—a woman who dares, who possesses both tenderness and fortitude, who moves gracefully through uncertainty without fear. She is mysterious and luminous, like the scent itself: complex, quietly powerful, and unforgettable. In this way, Vol de Nuit became far more than a fragrance; it became a metaphor for courage and emotional depth, a timeless tribute to those who live—and love—with the thrilling awareness that life’s beauty often resides in its risks.
Fragrance Composition:
- Top notes: bergamot, galbanum, and petitgrain.
- Middle notes: jasmine, daffodil, and spices.
- Base notes: wood, iris, vanilla, amber notes, and an earthy forest note.
Scent Profile:
Vol de Nuit opens with a bright, electrifying burst of bergamot from Calabria, Italy. Its zest is luminous and tangy, carrying a naturally sparkling citrus oil rich in linalyl acetate and limonene, which infuse the fragrance with a radiant, almost luminous top note. Alongside it, galbanum emerges—a green, resinous note sourced traditionally from Iran, offering a sharp, bitter green aroma that immediately evokes the smell of sun-drenched forests and crushed leaves. Its naturally occurring pinene and terpenes lend a vibrant, slightly resinous crispness. Intertwined with these is petitgrain, distilled from the tender leaves and twigs of the bitter orange tree, often from Paraguay or Haiti, which contributes a delicate floral-woody freshness; the linalool and geraniol content brings a soft, slightly sweet, verdant brightness that perfectly balances the sharpness of galbanum.
The heart unfurls with a luminous floral accord. Jasmine—likely sourced from the fields of Grasse—is rich and opulent, its indole compounds lending a deep, sensual warmth that is at once intoxicating and comforting. It is accompanied by daffodil, an unusual addition that gives the bouquet a subtly powdery, green-floral delicacy, almost ethereal, with lactones imparting a creamy, soft nuance. Woven through the florals is a trace of exotic spices, adding warmth and intrigue—a subtle, slightly peppery hum that enlivens the bouquet without overpowering the floral clarity. This middle stage evokes the drama of flight itself: a swirl of sunlight, wind, and motion.
The base is where Vol de Nuit reveals its depth and gravity. Iris, with its buttery, powdery orris root, adds a refined softness that grounds the fragrance, complementing the warm, sensual vanilla—possibly Bourbon vanilla—which imparts a creamy sweetness enriched by vanillin and related aroma compounds. Amber notes and a woody foundation, likely a blend of cedar and sandalwood, provide a resonant warmth and depth, their sesquiterpenes and aromatic alcohols lending longevity and a sense of grounded elegance. Beneath it all, an earthy forest note reminiscent of damp leaves and moss evokes the flight through a nocturnal woodland, creating a smoky, mysterious trail that lingers on the skin. Together, the base blends with the florals and citruses to form a bold, complex composition: luminous yet grounded, adventurous yet intimate—much like the daring, romantic spirit of Saint-Exupéry’s tale itself.
Bottle:
The Vol de Nuit flacon itself is a striking visual echo of the fragrance’s adventurous spirit. Crafted from smoked glass, the bottle is embossed in relief with the graceful, swirling shape of an aircraft propeller in motion, capturing a sense of movement and the thrill of early aviation. The circular cutout of the perfume’s name, framed by a band of gold metal, mirrors the propeller belt, elegantly reinforcing the theme of flight. In the limited edition, these details are further elevated with the luxurious application of real gold leaf, adding a radiant shimmer that catches the light with every turn, evoking both the glamour and daring energy of Saint-Exupéry’s skies. The design is at once sophisticated and dynamic, a perfect visual counterpart to the fragrance’s luminous, bold character.
