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Inteligent, effortless virility
My old man wore this in the 80s and 90s when I was growing up. My vintage bottle is one of my favorite collector’s items. After being discontinued for years, it was reissued in 2007 as part of Givenchy’s Les Parfums Mythiques. Today, it is back in the house’s regular lineup and is almost as good as the vintage but inevitably lacks some of the depth and complexity.
Crafted in 1959 by Francis Fabron (Baghari, Quadrille, L’Air du Temps), it is, in more ways than one, halfway between Chanel Pour Monsieur (Henri Robert, 1955) and Dior Eau Sauvage (Edmond Roudnitska, 1966). Certainly the least famous of the three, it is arguably the best one — and hands down my favorite.
The carnation and the verbena are the stars of the opening. The effect is invigorating and aromatic and tart in equal measures. The overall profile is refreshing but dry, without the floral flourishes of the Dior and the spiciness of the Chanel. But the real clincher is in the drydown, with the best oakmoss and the smoothest sandalwood accords you will ever come across. Just heavenly.
Monsieur is discreet yet impactful, straddling the line between the citrus chypre and the traditional cologne. I’ve always found it to be the epitome of elegance, intelligence, and effortless virility. One of my all-time favorites. Not a bad introduction to perfumery, pops.
Crafted in 1959 by Francis Fabron (Baghari, Quadrille, L’Air du Temps), it is, in more ways than one, halfway between Chanel Pour Monsieur (Henri Robert, 1955) and Dior Eau Sauvage (Edmond Roudnitska, 1966). Certainly the least famous of the three, it is arguably the best one — and hands down my favorite.
The carnation and the verbena are the stars of the opening. The effect is invigorating and aromatic and tart in equal measures. The overall profile is refreshing but dry, without the floral flourishes of the Dior and the spiciness of the Chanel. But the real clincher is in the drydown, with the best oakmoss and the smoothest sandalwood accords you will ever come across. Just heavenly.
Monsieur is discreet yet impactful, straddling the line between the citrus chypre and the traditional cologne. I’ve always found it to be the epitome of elegance, intelligence, and effortless virility. One of my all-time favorites. Not a bad introduction to perfumery, pops.