Chanel No 5 Tour of Grasse, France Jasmine Flower Fields

Long before a blast of perfume reaches your skin, the fragrance-creation process begins with a flower. For Chanel N°5, those flowers are May rose and jasmine — and twice a year, those flowers are harvested in Grasse, France.

Last month, Chanel invited me to view the jasmine harvest. Combined with last year's perfumery visit, it's safe to say that I've gained a new appreciation for how many steps are involved in creating the world's best-selling fragrance. Read on to see some beautiful scenes from the south of France, to learn about what happens in the fields, and to watch the first steps of the fragrance come together.