Eau de Cologne

We will therefore have the pleasure of discovering or rediscovering Bois des Iles, Gardénia or indeed Cuir de Russie alongside Eau de Cologne, which was born during that prolific period of creation. Brought up to date by Jacques Polge, Chanel's Eau de Cologne now shows its full strength and natural beauty.

Eau de Cologne according to Gabrielle Chanel and Jacques Polge

Eau de Cologne has long been the challenge, the stylistic exercise and the signature of every great perfumer. A true scent passed down through the centuries, Eau de Cologne is a symbol of classic perfumery. For example, every perfumer of the Guerlain dynasty, from Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain in 1853 to Thierry Wasser more recently, has traditionally offered an Eau de Cologne to mark his time at the venerable house.

At the house of Chanel, Eau de Cologne was the signature of Ernest Beaux's tenure, if indeed he needed one after his now legendary composition of N°5. Chanel's Eau de Cologne was therefore composed to satisfy the wishes of Gabrielle Chanel, who loved above all else athletic bodies and outdoor sports. But appearances can be deceiving, as Chanel could not imagine offering a simply fresh Eau de Cologne…

Born in 1929, Eau de Cologne met with some success, but as the years passed it became more logical to showcase the house's strong fragrances than the freshness of a more classic scent. Under the guidance of Jacques Polge, Eau de Cologne was magnified in the 1980s with very “Chanel” floral splendor, and was accordingly offered again in 2007 in the Les Exclusifs collection.

The meeting of sun-kissed florals and fresh citrus: Chanel's Eau de Cologne

How could the great house of Chanel and Coco's highly baroque, lush aspirations be bottled in an ordinary Eau de Cologne? Simply impossible. And the least one can say is that the reformulation of Eau de Cologne undertaken by Jacques Polge transforms it into a “true” Chanel fragrance.

Chanel's Eau de Cologne opens in a relatively classic way with citrus notes built around bergamot and mandarin. The originality of Eau de Cologne lies mainly in its opulent floral heart of Grasse jasmine and neroli blossom, which lend a luminous beauty to this lovely citrus fragrance. The floral notes close out this summery scent, carrying it in a fresh, elegant sillage.

In 1929, Mademoiselle Chanel had already launched the fashion for sport and toned bodies. Her love of the outdoors led her to create her own Eau de Cologne, since reinterpreted by Jacques Polge. The finest citrus qualities make up this joyful, dynamic Eau de Cologne. Chanel on Eau de Cologne, Les Exclusifs collection.