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What does Une Ville. Un Parfum - 05 Shanghai smell like?

05 Shanghai is a refined, powdery floral that captures a specific sense of urban elegance. It opens with a textured sweetness, where the marzipan-like quality of almond is sharpened by the cool, spicy edge of aniseed and a brief flash of bergamot. The initial impression is sophisticated and slightly dry, avoiding the heavy gourmand sugar often found in modern releases. As the fragrance settles, it transitions into a soft, yellow floral heart. Mimosa provides a fuzzy, pollen-like warmth that feels light and airy, supported by the creamy tropical touch of ylang-ylang and clean orange blossom. This floral bouquet is grounded by a dense, woody base of sandalwood and cedar, smoothed over by a classic Guerlain vanilla. Wearing it feels like a soft silk scarf; it is delicate and polished, striking a balance between traditional French perfumery and a modern, airy lightness.

Details

House: Guerlain
Concentration: Parfum
Gender: feminine
Year: 2012
Longevity: 6.7 / 10 · 83 Parfumo ratings
Sillage: 5.8 / 10 · 83 Parfumo ratings
Season votes on Parfumo: Spring (40 votes), Fall (37 votes)
Occasion votes on Parfumo: Daily (41 votes), Leisure (39 votes)
Scent Profile: Floral, Powdery, Woody, Spicy, Sweet
Perfumer: Thierry Wasser

Historical community ratings and votes imported from Parfumo. Values may have changed since import; the observation date is unavailable. Ratings reflect community opinions, not measured wear tests. Categories show up to two leading vote counts; votes are category selections and may overlap.

Community Insights

Fragrantica

The scent is widely regarded as a versatile all-rounder, with enthusiasts noting its suitability for everything from professional business settings to casual leisure time.
Performance is a point of frequent discussion; while the scent is highly praised for its composition, users often describe the longevity and sillage as moderate rather than powerful, requiring reapplication for all-day wear.
Many collectors view this as a primary example of a "clean" powdery floral, noting that the aniseed and almond notes provide a unique spicy-sweet twist that differentiates it from more literal flower scents.
There is a consensus that the fragrance is seasonally flexible, though most favor it during the transition months of spring and fall when the delicate mimosa can bloom without being overwhelmed by extreme heat or cold.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 05 Shanghai still in production?+

No, this fragrance was part of a limited "Une Ville. Un Parfum" travel collection and has been discontinued. It is currently difficult to find and is largely sought after by collectors.

How does the almond note affect the scent?+

The almond provides a nutty, slightly bitter-sweet texture in the opening. Rather than smelling like a dessert, it works with the aniseed to create a sophisticated powdery effect that leads into the floral heart.

Is this fragrance suitable for the workplace?+

Yes, it is frequently cited as an excellent choice for business and daily wear. Its moderate projection ensures it remains a polite, personal scent bubble that is unlikely to overwhelm colleagues.

Does the vanilla make it a very sweet fragrance?+

While vanilla is present in the base, it is balanced by vetiver and cedar. This results in a woody, "dry" sweetness rather than a sugary or syrupy one, keeping the fragrance in the powdery floral category.

Appears in Collections

Feminine Fragrances2169 Parfum Fragrances786 2010s Fragrances3361 Fragrances Starting With U76

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We are not tracking a current retailer offer for this fragrance yet.

View price details

No tracked prices yet

We are not tracking a current retailer offer for this fragrance yet.

View price details

What does Une Ville. Un Parfum - 05 Shanghai smell like?

05 Shanghai is a refined, powdery floral that captures a specific sense of urban elegance. It opens with a textured sweetness, where the marzipan-like quality of almond is sharpened by the cool, spicy edge of aniseed and a brief flash of bergamot. The initial impression is sophisticated and slightly dry, avoiding the heavy gourmand sugar often found in modern releases. As the fragrance settles, it transitions into a soft, yellow floral heart. Mimosa provides a fuzzy, pollen-like warmth that feels light and airy, supported by the creamy tropical touch of ylang-ylang and clean orange blossom. This floral bouquet is grounded by a dense, woody base of sandalwood and cedar, smoothed over by a classic Guerlain vanilla. Wearing it feels like a soft silk scarf; it is delicate and polished, striking a balance between traditional French perfumery and a modern, airy lightness.

Details

House: Guerlain
Concentration: Parfum
Gender: feminine
Year: 2012
Longevity: 6.7 / 10 · 83 Parfumo ratings
Sillage: 5.8 / 10 · 83 Parfumo ratings
Season votes on Parfumo: Spring (40 votes), Fall (37 votes)
Occasion votes on Parfumo: Daily (41 votes), Leisure (39 votes)
Scent Profile: Floral, Powdery, Woody, Spicy, Sweet
Perfumer: Thierry Wasser

Historical community ratings and votes imported from Parfumo. Values may have changed since import; the observation date is unavailable. Ratings reflect community opinions, not measured wear tests. Categories show up to two leading vote counts; votes are category selections and may overlap.

Community Insights

Fragrantica

The scent is widely regarded as a versatile all-rounder, with enthusiasts noting its suitability for everything from professional business settings to casual leisure time.
Performance is a point of frequent discussion; while the scent is highly praised for its composition, users often describe the longevity and sillage as moderate rather than powerful, requiring reapplication for all-day wear.
Many collectors view this as a primary example of a "clean" powdery floral, noting that the aniseed and almond notes provide a unique spicy-sweet twist that differentiates it from more literal flower scents.
There is a consensus that the fragrance is seasonally flexible, though most favor it during the transition months of spring and fall when the delicate mimosa can bloom without being overwhelmed by extreme heat or cold.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 05 Shanghai still in production?+

No, this fragrance was part of a limited "Une Ville. Un Parfum" travel collection and has been discontinued. It is currently difficult to find and is largely sought after by collectors.

How does the almond note affect the scent?+

The almond provides a nutty, slightly bitter-sweet texture in the opening. Rather than smelling like a dessert, it works with the aniseed to create a sophisticated powdery effect that leads into the floral heart.

Is this fragrance suitable for the workplace?+

Yes, it is frequently cited as an excellent choice for business and daily wear. Its moderate projection ensures it remains a polite, personal scent bubble that is unlikely to overwhelm colleagues.

Does the vanilla make it a very sweet fragrance?+

While vanilla is present in the base, it is balanced by vetiver and cedar. This results in a woody, "dry" sweetness rather than a sugary or syrupy one, keeping the fragrance in the powdery floral category.

What is the best season to wear 05 Shanghai?+

While it can be worn year-round, it performs best in spring and fall. The mimosa and orange blossom notes are particularly well-suited to the moderate temperatures of these seasons.

How long does the fragrance typically last on the skin?+

Community feedback suggests moderate longevity. It typically provides several hours of noticeable wear, but it does not have the "all-day" staying power found in some of Guerlain’s heavier oriental fragrances.

Accords

Notes

TopAniseed//Bergamot//Almond

HeartMimosa//Orange blossom//Ylang-ylang

BaseVanilla//Cedar//Vetiver//Sandalwood

Appears in Collections

Feminine Fragrances2169 Parfum Fragrances786 2010s Fragrances3361 Fragrances Starting With U76

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Where to buy Une Ville. Un Parfum - 05 Shanghai

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Fragrance Fragrance is an independent price-comparison service, not a retailer or marketplace. We do not sell, stock, ship, or accept payment for products. Purchases are completed on third-party retailer sites. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by fragrance brands. How buying works.

Prices are collected from third-party retailers and updated periodically. Always verify the price on the retailer's site before purchasing. We may earn a commission on purchases made through our links.