Reviews of Monsieur de Givenchy (1959)
by Givenchy

This isn't a rough citrus nor is it a fresh citrus like in Eau de Paco and the like. This is a full citrus that lasts and is very classy and smoother. If you are looking for a rougher citrus masculine go for Eau Sauvage but if you want a debonair citrus Monsieur de Givenchy is perfect. I prefer Eau Sauvage.

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 :-)

Sorry to the loyals of this, but i really didnt like it. I am currently using the Eau Sauvage and like mentioned before elsewhere, happens to be the only scent i have 2 opend at the same time, one to be left home and one i would bring for longer days out. Everyone has unique tastes and naturally this was not one that i liked. I love the citrus and herbal fusion in ES but found it not to be in good proportion unlike the ES. ES is perfect in my opinion in terms of the level of thickness of its main notes. It is a legend and a classic without a doubt, but ES beats this by improving on the the level thickness. ES is the only benchmark i would use to rate a classic and anything thicker smelling than the ES does not appeal to me, at least for the few classics i actually didnt like. My collection does include ES, Gentleman, Paco Rabanne PH, Aramis Tuscany, of which i would label as classics, another one i didnt like was Antaeus. Monsieur is strictly for those who have acquired the taste of yester generation, but sadly seems like there was something missing in the mixture and a little like an ES wannabe, despite its earlier intro. I was sampling this and Gentleman many years back and took a like to Gentleman(which am using now along with others) instead though both are not very similar in texture, with the latter being more musky/leathery. To bedgoblin : give Dior's Eau Sauvage a shot if you havent already. It was my late grandfather's staple scent and it is one of my top 2 scents.

Like it but very short life on me..can anyone find me a long lasting citrus scent ( same applies to eau d'orange verte and eau d' hadrian too)

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. 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.

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.

This is a beautifully conventional high end fragrance circa 1960. The term lavendar water works with this. It is light and watery, and makes me think of old Rock Hudson-Doris Day movies, in which the NYC business men wore medium grey suits, skinny ties and drank martinis after work. Since that seems to be the style again, I would think Monsieur de Givenchy would be a nearly perfect fragrance for right now. So, put this one on, stop over to the King Cole Bar, and ask Rock to shove over when you stop in for a cocktail. You will offend no one with this one, and I am sure not a few will like your style.

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.

Too classy and overpowering for me.Thus, it hates my chemistry.It is best for persons 45+ of age.

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.