Prologue

Paris-Riviera is the fourth fragrance to join LES EAUX DE CHANEL, a collection of modern colognes, each inspired by a destination of historical significance to the house’s founder, Gabrielle Chanel. With LES EAUX DE CHANEL, CHANEL say that it is not the destination that matters, but the journey. It is the idea of escaping – of exploring, losing oneself and finding oneself. It’s about traversing unchartered territory and experiencing new things.

1928. Gabrielle Chanel had her vacation villa La Pausa built on the Côte d’Azur, a few years after opening a new boutique in Cannes. With its breathtaking landscapes and exciting lifestyle, the French Riviera had become the new society hotspot. PARIS-RIVIERA evokes this sweetness of life in a floral and solar trail.

– CHANEL

Scent Story

Represented by a giant, glowing orange, the radiant light of the evening sun bathes the french riviera in brilliant, brassy light. The air is awash with the juicy scent of citrus, of rinds bursting with orange dew, soaked up into the air like a cool mist – a precipitation cocktail to make the mouth water. It is the liveliest part of the day – the time when glasses (filled with fizz) are clinked, plates are served and chatter reaches an exciting crescendo. These are the most glorious moments of the day.

Rows of terracotta pots radiate warmth, having soaked solar energy into their pores all day. The grainy texture of their material fills the air with the scent of hot stones. Baby powder (French, not the rosy, English variety) dusts the skin with a veil of dried orange blossom petals, shimmering with the silvery sheen of neroli – the most resplendent of summer smells. There is a perfume in the air, of course, a mixture of flowers, citrus fruits and musks, their molecules clinging to the heavy breeze, the tension of which is only broken by the languid movement of bodies.

As the sun sets, the ombré effect of the summer night fades to black, revealing a galaxy of stars. The silky lustre of Tiger’s Eye, with its pattern of golden, auburn stripes evokes the richness of amber, where sweet dashes of candied citrus melt into ground crystals of benzoin. The day is done but its shadow remains on the skin – silhouettes of citrus fruits, flowers and resins dance in the candlelight recreating the performance of the last 24 hours, all before the sun rises and the day starts anew.

Epilogue

A warming, worthy and transportive addition to LES EAUX DE CHANEL, Paris-Riviera is available in 125ml Eau de Toilette for £99.

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Disclaimer

Sample (pictured) gifted by CHANEL. I was under no obligation to post a review of this fragrance, nor was I paid to do so. CHANEL had no involvement with the substance of this review. Notes and quotes via CHANEL. Images are my own.