Houbigant, Chantilly, 'Chantilly Lace', Collection Royale, 120 ml. or 4 oz. Flacon, Eau de Parfum, 1940, 1970, Paris, France, NY, New York

Houbigant is a French perfume house established in in 1775. Jean-François Houbigant (1752-1807) launched his perfume business at 19, Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris. Through the centuries, the perfumers of the House of Houbigant have made groundbreaking discoveries in the formulation of perfumes that have revolutionized forever the way perfumes are constructed. It is not an exaggeration to say that, without the House of Houbigant, modern perfumery as we know it today would not exist.

It all began with just a basket of flowers. One day in Paris in 1775, a young man, Jean-Francois Houbigant, hung a hand painted sign of a basket of flowers over his little shop in rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. From the start his fragrances found favour with royalty and the nobility. Houbigant taught the titled women at the Court of Versailles how to perfume their fans so that just a fragrant flutter would send out a romantic message.

When in 1793 Marie-Antoinette was executed by guillotine, she carried 3 vials of Houbigant perfume in her corsage to give her strength. Over the centuries, the House of Houbigant became perfumer to the royal courts of Europe. Josephine, the future Empress of France, belonged to a group of stylish young men and women called “The Muscadins” because of their craze for musk which was Josephine’s favourite essence. Houbigant fragrances travelled in Napoleon’s campaign chest during the years when he was conquering Europe.

Launched in 1940, Chantilly became a famous and much favoured perfume . The noses behind this fragrance Marcel Billot and Paul Parquet and it was named after the famous Chantilly laces. The original Chantilly is classified as a ‘chypre' or the woody, mossy, spicy scent. It starts with a fresh top note, followed by a spicy floral heart layered over a sweet, balsamic and powdery base.

During the years of 1994-96, Chantilly was sold to Dana, but was able to retain the name of Houbigant. A lawsuit followed where Houbigant accused Dana of selling a watered down version of Chantilly. The lawsuit also accused Dana of selling the formula to unlicensed manufacturers. In 2000, a reformulated version of Chantilly came back on the market. This newer version is classified as a refined, oriental fragrance, a soft amber perfume.

Top notes are fruity citrus notes of Neroli, Bergamot, and Lemon
Middle notes are Carnation, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, Orris, Rose, and Orange Blossom
Base notes are Leather, Tonka Bean, Benzoin, Oakmoss, Vetiver, Patchouli, Vanilla and Sandalwood

Offered here is a large 4 oz. bottle in pristine condition. It has not been previously opened, and still has its metal seal in tact. It comes in its luxury presentation box. The Eau de Parfum is vibrant and spicy from the carnation, with a soft woody dry down, just as sweet and sensual as ever, and quite unlike the later versions created by Dana. The Eau de Parfum is softer and more buttery than the extrait. This gorgeous many sided bottle was first used for Essence Rare and is a classic shape only used by Houbigant.

This is a delicious and very feminine perfume .. a collector's item .. very rare in this format .. A gorgeous gift for a Chantilly lover ..