Chanel Pays Homage to Sandalwood in a Dreamlike Parisian Garden

Each May, as Paris begins to bloom in earnest, a fragrant tradition unfolds: Chanel Parfums partners with Jardins, Jardin, the celebrated garden exhibition nestled in the Parc de la Villa Windsor in the Bois de Boulogne. Together, they conjure an immersive reverie — a living ode to the Maison’s most precious raw materials. This year, Chanel turns its poetic gaze towards one of perfumery’s most revered notes: sandalwood.

“I love the idea that perfume — so elusive and immaterial — can be born from something real, grounded and artisanal, like earth, wood, or flowers,” muses Olivier Polge, Chanel’s master perfumer and the visionary behind the experience.

Following the luminous paths of iris pallida, orange blossom, camellia and tuberose in past editions, it is now sandalwood’s time to take centre stage. Deeply sensual and richly storied, this noble wood weaves through Chanel’s most beloved creations — from the legendary N°5 Extrait and Bleu de Chanel to Bois des Îles and Allure Eau de Parfum. Long treasured for its creamy, enveloping warmth, sandalwood has perfumed the world for over 4,000 years. Now, Chanel invites visitors to rediscover it — not in a bottle, but in bloom.

Set across 300 square metres, Le Santal de Chanel is no ordinary garden. It is a sensory voyage, tracing the journey of Santalum austrocaledonicum from the verdant forests of New Caledonia to the Maison’s Parisian ateliers. Step into this lush dreamscape and be transported to the island of Maré, heartland of the Kanak people, where Chanel nurtures its sandalwood trees in deep respect for local traditions and ecosystems.

A botanical ballet of roots, resin, wood and memory, this rare experience captures the intimate alchemy of nature and savoir-faire. Equal parts poetic and purposeful, the exhibition reveals the quiet majesty of sandalwood, not just as a note, but as a narrative.

Creating immersive experiences around bestselling creations is a proven strategy for luxury houses to deepen connections with devoted followers — and to seduce a new generation yet to discover their universe. And with whispers of a relaunch of the Maison’s signature men’s fragrance — itself centred around sandalwood — set for September, the timing of this tribute feels exquisitely aligned.

Open to the public from 22 to 25 May, this ephemeral Le Santal de Chanel garden invites you to breathe, wander and lose yourself in one of perfumery’s most timeless treasures. Tickets are available to book here.

Text: Lidia Ageeva