The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Shanghai holds a specific weight for Nicolas Beaulieu, it was where his training as a perfumer began. Years later, when Contes de Parfums invited him to contribute to their Cities Collection, the choice was already made. The fragrance had to be Shanghai. His memory: a fruit stall on a busy street, an old vendor with a toothless grin offering a slice of Nashi pear. The crisp, juicy taste that made the city feel like his own. That moment became this scent.
The Nashi pear isn't just a fruity top note here, it's the memory object, the thing that made Shanghai legible. In perfumery, the pear accord can skew generic, but Beaulieu uses it to anchor something more specific. The opening pairs the crisp fruit with bright citrus, creating an immediate impression that feels both clean and aromatic. As the composition moves into the heart, the Chinese peony takes center stage, its petals unfurling with a soft, rounded sweetness that feels natural rather than constructed.
The evolution
The first spray hits bright and juicy, Nashi pear arrives immediately, lemon cutting clean alongside it. As the citrus begins to soften, the florals take their place in the composition, with the Chinese peony blooming alongside jasmine and coconut water. The composition develops with some depth and complexity as it settles, the florals unfolding in a way that feels natural rather than sudden. The base gradually announces itself, bringing earth tones and mineral qualities with Ambroxan and Sinfonide adding clean, airy notes that give the drydown a sense of space. The overall evolution is smooth and sustained, with each phase flowing into the next without harsh transitions.
Cultural impact
Part of Contes de Parfums' Cities Collection, Shanghai occupies a distinctive position within the brand's range. The fragrance draws on the city's energy and contrasts, creating a scent that reflects both its contemporary edge and underlying softness. The use of synthetic materials in the composition gives the fragrance a bright, modern quality that distinguishes it from more traditional approaches. Some wearers appreciate this clarity and find it makes the fragrance feel both fresh and memorable; others seek additional warmth in the floral structure.
