Atacama, Cold Sun
Atacama is the echo of an unforgettable journey to one of the world’s most mysterious and inspiring places.
Travel fuels my creations. Exploring new countries, marveling at breathtaking landscapes, meeting rich and diverse cultures, and experiencing that unforgettable sense of freedom… For many years, these experiences have inspired and driven me, along with my husband (Te Anau, Svalbard, Uluru, Ubud, Naivasha) . Yet, since the Covid period and the birth of Kanopé, the opportunities to set off on new adventures had become rare.
It was in Chile that we rediscovered this breath of life—a renewal of freedom and immersion in nature's beauty. A fascinating country that amazed us at every turn with the spectacular diversity of its landscapes. From the roar of wild coastlines to the oppressive heat of deserts, from majestic volcanoes to infinite mountain ranges, Chile is a true hymn to nature—in all its power and complexity.
Pan de Azúcar: Between Sea and Desert
Among the highlights of our journey, Pan de Azúcar National Park was a true revelation. This unique location merges two opposing worlds in a single step: on one side, the vast Pacific Ocean, where the crash of waves and the salty coolness of the wind invite calm and contemplation; on the other, the arid lands dominated by the Cordillera, where the desert heat reveals an incredible variety of cacti and almost lunar expanses.
It’s a place of striking contrasts. You almost forget that just meters away, the sea asserts itself with all its force and mystery. Every gust of wind seems to carry ancient stories, a distant whisper between water and rock. Nature, in all its raw splendor, reminds us of our place in this world.
San Pedro de Atacama and the Valley of the Moon
As we ventured further inland, the atmosphere transformed. The sun became relentless, the sky stretched infinitely, and the landscapes turned into a mosaic of sand, rock, and salt. San Pedro de Atacama, a small village of adobe houses, serves as the starting point for exploring the wonders of this region.
The Valley of the Moon left me in awe. Its rock formations, sculpted by wind and time, give the impression of walking on another planet. At sunset, the ochre colors and shifting shadows create a living spectacle, almost surreal.
Not far away, the Valley of Death, with its vast desert expanses, imposes an absolute, almost solemn silence. It’s a place that invites reflection and an intimate connection with oneself. The heat of the day and the freezing chill of the nights at over 4,000 meters above sea level create a striking balance—a duality of elements that I sought to capture in my latest creation: a cold sun.
Atacama: A Perfume as a Spiritual Escape
This journey gave birth to Atacama, an olfactory creation that captures the essence of these sacred lands.
The fragrance opens with fresh, pure notes: the vigor of bay leaf, the powdery elegance of iris, and the luminous vivacity of pink grapefruit. These top notes evoke the bracing freshness of desert winds at dawn or dusk.
At the heart of the composition, Palo Santo, a sacred wood with warm, mystical nuances, brings depth and spirituality. Known for its purifying properties, it symbolizes a mystical bond between humanity and the earth. Rich, captivating resins tell stories as old as the stars that watch over the desert.
Finally, deep oud and guaiac wood join the earthy robustness of vetiver, anchoring this fragrance in the timeless strength of the desert. Atacama is more than a perfume: it is a tribute to the raw beauty of nature and the spirituality of the people who inhabit these mysterious lands.
An Invitation to Travel
Atacama is a sensory experience—an olfactory journey through Chile’s lunar landscapes, an immersion into the sacred soul of the Atacama Desert. By closing your eyes, let yourself be carried away by its mystical and woody notes. Feel the silence, the contrasts, and the raw beauty of this land where time seems suspended and the stars illuminate infinity.
Discover Atacama and our full collection of natural fragrances at our workshop in Montreal or on our online store kanopefragrances.com. It is my joy to share a fragment of this extraordinary journey with you.
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