Landscape, Jean de Florette (directed by Claude Berri) 1986

Imagine driving all day on dusty backroads in France. You have been summoned to a friend’s country villa in the days before GPS. You’re a city mouse and you’re dubious about the very idea of the outdoors and are just about to give up when you finally take a right turn and suddenly a beautiful vista opens up in the hills before you. The view is so lovely that you stop the car and get out.  Buoyed by a deep breath of the fresh clean air, you continue up the driveway, which is so long you begin to realize that the “country villa” is going to be rather grander than you suspected.

 Coco Chanel’s Villa  "Bel Respiro"

When you finally pull up to the front door, you realize the home would be more accurately described as a chateau. A butler ushers you to a suite with a marble bathroom larger than your bedroom at home. You wash up using the finest milled French soap, change into casual clothes, and then join the other guests for a dinner en plein air on the patio. For those of us that don’t have friends with French chateaus, the quickest road to this experience is Les Exclusifs de Chanel’s Bel Respiro, created by Jacques Polge in 2007. Inspired by the weekend home of the same name Mlle. Chanel bought in Garches in 1920 and had painted in her signature colors, beige and black, Bel Respiro means “beautiful breath.”

Though the notes for the fragrance are not disclosed, it opens with the sensation of throwing the shutters open and smelling freshly mown grass, a cool breeze, and aromatics from an herb garden such as thyme, rosemary and basil. The top notes of Bel Respiro also seem to include citrus and aldehydes, though the latter are more subdued and more natural smelling than is typical of a Chanel scent. Their overall effect is to add highly refined soap.

 Coco Chanel at Bel Respiro

Heart notes for Bel Respiro are floral and are said to include daffodil, giving the fragrance a sunny vibe; a hint of carnation also seems to be present, lending a bit of cool spice. The green and soap still predominate, but the florals soften the freshness of the opening. The effect is relaxed but très chic, like a walk in the country in Chanel jersey after a good night’s sleep.

  Mads Mikkelsen and Anna Mouglalis in Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky (Directed by Jan Kounen), 2009

The base notes of Bel Respiro brings a surprise in an undercurrent of leather that is strong on my skin. In keeping with the pastoral theme, one might think of saddles for horseback riding (not the horses themselves), but the leather is darker and more urbane than that. A visually gorgeous 2009 movie by Jan Kounen entitled Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky details an affair between the two, who were introduced by  Sergei Diaghilev, (impresario of the Ballets Russes) and  was set at Bel Respiro; I picture the two lovers entwined on a leather chaise lounge.

 Chanel Les Exclusifs Bel Respiro

Sillage is strong for the first several hours and ultimately ends up wearing close to the skin; longevity is at least 12 hours. Bel Respiro is a dream pastoral chypre with the elegant twist you would expect from Chanel, and considering that it skips the mosquitos and hay fever, it will do you more good than a weekend in the country.

Disclosure: I received  product for promotional consideration. Available from Chanel.com, Chanel boutiques, and select Chanel counters, Bel Respiro is an eau de toilette concentration and retails for $160 for 2.5 fluid ounces or $280 for 6.8 fluid ounces.

— Nancy Knows, Sr. Editor and Beauty Editor

Editor's Note: So we begin a new series "Unsung Heroes" where we will review luxury,designer, vintage, artistic perfumes and cosmetics that we believe are hidden gems and seem to be forgotten in the crush of cult and new offerings-Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief