Reviews of Monsieur de Givenchy (1959)
by Givenchy

A very clean, gentlemanly scent featuring lemon and verbena notes, ably supported by lavender and spice, a hint of fresh floral, and an oakmoss-woody drydown. An eau de cologne-style scent whose sandalwood, oakmoss, and musk base gives it a hint of the oriental genre. Very classic and chic, it has a minimalist feel that makes it seem much more modern than the Cold War baby it is. At almost fifty years old, it is still in style today.

Notes:
Top: Lemon, lime, Bergamot, Petitgrain
Middle: Clary Sage, orange, lavender, basil
Base: Musk, cedar, civet

The bottle lists the notes as Bergamot, lemon, lavender, verbena, oakmoss, sandalwood but the Osmoz pyramid is the one which seems more accurate. Monsieur de Givenchy (MdG) is a citrus-aromatic/chypre from Givenchy's mythical line: classics from the Givenchy vault, and arguably the high point of Givenchy parfums. MdM is a conventional fragrance; its structure exhibits fine balance, and its made of good materials. The lemon/lime top notes are sharp but extremely fleeting...one may need to spray 3-4 times in quick succession to let the nostrils grasp 'em. Almost immediately the central powdery, musky, lavender accord takes hold with a herbal spicy-sweet basil note anchoring the other end. As the fragrance progresses I detect a lite, doughy, bread like note (is it the petitgrain?) and a sweetish, slightly animalic note (civet) and woods in the base. The musky powdery lavender heart is never overbearing, and the whole shebang lasts for a decent 5-6 hours.

At times, MdM seems like a lighter version of Signoricci (they both share a lime top and a lavender-woody heart). Sure it can boss around the anemic newer citrus chemicals of today, but when compared to its illustrious compatriots from 50 years ago it lacks the creativity of Eau Sauvage and the grand chypre finish of Chanel pour monsieur. MdM is a fine fragrance, but one can't help feel its the Andy Roddick of the 1960s citrus classics.

Rating: 8.25/10.0

Lemony, fern-green and all-natural (as natural as I find CK Eternity to be synthetic). Very classic and smooth. Has kinda an old person's house vibe to it, like an attic full of bay leaf scented room freshener in a musky, dusty aura...Almost has a pine or evergreen sap/resin base, but only/just slightly...very old fashioned and beautiful.

What you might smell lke after gardening in the 1950s or rolling about in a spice garden with fresh dill, oregano and mint. A must have, or at least worth trying.

Distinctive and classic. Have had MdG in my wardrobe intermitantly since I was in my early 20's and still go back for a "smash" every so often! Love the way the lavender tones the citrus and, along with the oakmoss, holds the formula together in such wonderful balance. Since I don't wear it that often, I haven't developed olfactory fatigue to this marvel and it lasts quite a while on my skin. Put it on as my SOTD about 9:00 am and it is still going strong now at about 3:00pm. Really like this one!

Carlos-uk is absolutely right in saying that MdeG is closer to Armani pur Homme than to Eau Sauvage. Beautiful interplay of citrus and woods. Sillage is not very pronounced but longevity is good, especially in moist sweaty climes.

Sometimes, when we are at our most extreme point of preciosity and enervation, only Monsieur de Givenchy can satisfy us. At such times, all other scents strike us as too strong, too sharp, too sweet or too bitter. It is then that Monsieur will soothe us with his exquisite refinement and restraint - and all the more so if we take care to close the windows so that the fumes of the infamous Marbert Man, the brash vapours of Calvin Klein Eternity, and the richly thunderous reek of Joop cannot waft up to offend us from the busy streets below. (Marcel).

I love the sandalwood dry down on this fragrance, one of the best of any eau de toilette. The fresh notes are delightful and harmonious. Is there any modern fragrance that can match the sophistication and panache that MdG exudes? A must-have in any serious fragrance collection.

This is a classic in the chyphre-fresh category. The interplay of the citrus top and oakmoss base make the chyphre chord strike; but the chord is struck in a very subtle and sophisticated manner. The lavender heart helps to make this guy purr. And the subtle sandalwood base also rounds things out and makes MdG a pure delight to wear. I'm so glad I was able to get a bottle of the new reissued version of this scent. They did not scrimp on the oakmoss. One of the good things about the cosmetic and fragrance industry restricting certain materials, is that you can read on the label and see for yourself if certain things really in there. I'm sure MdG won't last long, since it is getting very hard to find. My suggestion is that if you see it, try it. If you like it, don't wait to buy it.

Have I finally found my signature? I approached Monsieur with a degree of caution based on my experiences of Givenchy Gentleman which whilst having the potential to be stunning is to my mind an affront to polite society in its current formulation. Such caution was not necessary.

I have a slightly strange habit with new fragrances that arrive mail order. After unwrapping the outer packaging I smell the cellophane wrapping and then after taking that off, the box itself. Then I go for the inside of the cap and the hole on the spritzer just to see if there's the slightest suggestion of what's inside. I think it has something to do with anticipation being half the fun! I got a slight hint from the spray hole of what was inside the Monsieur bottle and excitedly started pushing away on the top of the bottle.

Well, what can I say? If Gentleman was designed with the Englishman in mind and Monsieur with the Frenchman in mind, I have to say (as an Englishman) I'm insulted. Monsieur far outclasses the stinky and wafting Givenchy Gentleman and is eminently more wearable. Its lemony but subdued and makes me think of a toned down version of the original Armani Pour Homme (in fact I'm surprised nobody has yet made the comparison). I'd say its closer to Armani than Eau Savage as others have suggested. There is a slightly dry quality to this fragrance that is also impressive. The dry down I can't particularly comment on as it doesn't seem to last that long on my skin which is a great shame. All I can note is that the initial Lemon in the face subdues rather a lot and leaves a delicate air of pure class behind. I'm smitten. Sod the CK's,Ralph Laurens and the YSL's. This is where its at, this is what fragrance is all about. In answer to my question posed at the beginning: Yes, I think I may well have done. Rule Britannia :-)

A lovely, lovely scent. A lot like Eau Sauvage, perhaps a little for floral/sweet. Also a lot like Jean-Marie Farina, more lemony. In other words, a classy aromatic citrus. A feel-good fragrance with an elegant, white-shirt formal vibe balanced with sensuality. Invigorating lemon opening. Light herbal notes are softened by florals, likely rose. The base is also attractive, with well-done sandalwood and mossy musk. Excellent!

Crisp, classy, Parisian and formal take on citrus. But OH how deceiving the top notes are! Just below the polished surface lies a sexy creature ready to pounce. If you like YSL pour Homme and Chanel pour Monsieur, you'll love Givenchy Monsieur. If you don't, rest assured that you'll most likely despise it. (I for one am firmly in the former camp.)

What a wonderful fragrance for the bachelor (wearing his red tie mind you) wandering back to his apartment in Paris, the City of Lights, for his late-night rendezvous with the special one he met in the restaurant. Sexyyyy!

Holy Citrus!! I smelled like a giant lime when I first sprayed it on. It just smacked me right in the face. Then it started to change a little after awhile, but the citrus was definitely still quite apparent. I'm no expert, so I'm not gonna try to go into detail beyond this, but I will say that I like it.

maybe a scent of another time.....but still timeless.Elegant,decent and classical.fresh and warm citrus scent.you won´t do any mistake wearing it.good choice in summer besides pour monsieur by chanel and eau sauvage by dior.nothing for kinky little boys.it´s a gentleman´s choice.

This has a pleasant citrus opening—not really spectacular and certainly not long lasting. Two or three minutes into the opening, the citrus accord begins to enlarge and enrich because the basil and lavender from the middle notes start joining with the bare citrus; there is a bit of civet noticeable at that point, too. By the time the sage joins in the accord, most of the citrus is gone and the scent has already gone very aromatic—I would like the citrus notes to have lasted longer. From then on, Monsieur de Givenchy remains a light herbal / floral until the base kicks in. The base is a light and subtle cedar, sandal, moss, musk.
I had tried Monsieur de Givenchy several times over the past few decades, but each time I tested it, I decided that I preferred Dior’s Eau Sauvage; I saw them as similar fragrances. I am aware now that Monsieur de Givenchy holds more in common with Yves Saint Laurent Pour Homme than with Eau Sauvage. YSL PH is stronger and much longer lasting than Monsieur—longevity is my main disappointment with Monsieur; however, Monsieur, although the oldest of the three, is probably the one that fits best with modern tastes and fashions. Monsieur de Givenchy is and always has been a very good fragrance.

You can be unlettered, uncultured, and uncivilised; Shower, shave, wear clean clothes, dab on M.de Givenchy and keep your mouth shut, and I assure you you can attend a Jubilee dinner, by personal invitation, with the Queen and make a smashing impression. The very definition of Class.

One of the best colognes ever made. it is a warm citrus cologne with a character of its own. If you ever smell on someone you will instantly recognize it.
They do not make this kind of colognes anymore.

This fine cologne and Aramis for men have similarities. Not necessarily in the scents themselves but the import and impact of the power infused upon the nostrils throughout the day. Neither lasts all day (Givenchy does have better staying power though). A classy, refined distinctive scent. Not the same ol' citrus scent that everyone wears these days. Another must-have cologne.

Perfect classic citrus scent. One of the most harmonious compositions on the market!!! Conservative and subtle. The main citrus-floral background gains some woody-fougere undertone (Jicky-like) in the base note. It's that old-school fragrance, not old-fashioned.

Your correspondent might be interested to know that rather than delete MdeG Givenchy has re-released it, at least in France, in an updated bottle and slightly different packaging. Actually hasn't changed much - the lines are sleeker, it looks more modern, and the fragrance doesn't seem to have changed at all. Givenchy Gentleman has had the same makeover. It's good to see the company keeping these old favourites going - Monsieur de Givenchy is a classic, in my opinion. It has much more depth and individuality than some products from certain supposedly 'exclusive' French perfume houses...

A fantastic citrus. As an older fragrance, it is clean and very enjoyable to wear. 9/10 for sure.