Reviews of Paco Rabanne pour Homme (1973)
by Paco Rabanne

I dont understand why anyone would dislike this scent.Its so old yet so modern. very diffrent from the old skool scents.LOVE this

Now that's a great classic! It's in the same category as Antaeus, Chanel Pour Monsieur or Van Cleef & Arpels Pour Homme... it follows the same path as those, but I like this one better. It's cleaner, sweeter, softer and even classier! Not only that I think this is one of the best classics, but it's also one of the finest fragrances I've ever tried. Oh, and it's not dated at all, this is the timeless elegance that will never die. And also, it's very wearable... this is not an old gentlemen only cologne, but it's suitable for anyone who can respect and appreciate a such refined fragrance.

Simply wonderful!

It doesn't smell awful just horribly dated. I mean, I'm sure I'm not the only one who has mental images of Burt Reynolds immediately after application...

Paco Rabanne was a must in the 80s.
I tried some days ago and still love it. Very masculine and classy.
I absolutly recommend it for mature gentelmans . (Office wear in my opinion)

This review refers to the original formula before 2000 or so. I was able to find a large unused bottle of my favorite standby from my youth. I grew up on this stuff and never forgot it since my last bottle ran dry in 1991. I was a fool not to buy several bottles of it. I am rediscovering my old signature scent like that hasnt lost any of its strength. Wow. That is quality!

"Fougere" is an herbal class fragrance that set the stage for "green". It is very clean, that keep you fresh for hours. The opening is strong. Hopefully, you give it a few hours to dry down. The sillage lets other know you have arrived. Beware of elevators! It is strong. I like wearing it outdoors. It mixes well in the open air. Lavender and geranium delivers for hours.

The final notes are the real rewards. Patchouli, honey-vanilla, amber & musk last all day. The effect is comfortable, warm, and sexy. My younger nose was clueless to this magic. I would always give myself a new splash for the evening. I would usually stay out dancing all night and the effect would be there in the morning. It is discouraging that the refomulation is a pale echo of this classic.

A blast of green at the open, and the green stays for a long time. Settles down to a clean, somwhat green with great basenotes of musk, honey, moss. The first fragrance I truly fell in love with (some 20 odd years ago). Today it seems tremendously powerful; it's a bit of a challenge getting just one "small spritz" that fits my chemistry. Lasts forever. When used judiciously, this is a great addition to anyone's collection.

With more than one spray, yes 1, this classic yields not only one of the most over the top openings but a cologne with a drydown that is for me a nauseating, depressing meltdown. Blame it on the rosemary? Remorse following pleasure seeking? This cologne easily boasts before the fact.

Sure, like so many other men, I have worn this cologne and felt "great" at certain points while wearing it, but the overall sensation was not that pleasing.

Trying it again just the other day with my lady at my side, I realized that while I could like it, even wear it again, it would require a one spray proviso and even then, in the back of my mind that sense that maybe things would turn bad.

Believe me, I "get it" when it comes to this classic and I have puchased it more than once, even in recent years, a kind of default purchase each time. But the last time I owned it, I thought maybe I had left it in my car too long in the heat or maybe the store was selling old stock.

On paper, this scent seems like a spice bomb waiting to go off. Yes, the opening is a herbaceous warhead loaded with lavender aimed straight for the nose. They could use this as smelling salts if needed. Inexplicably it settles down in a honey-tobacco brew of clove and geranium. Finishes off in a 70's motif to oak moss & musk. Dated yes, but man, this stuff this smells good without apology. For daring men of all ages. Use it wisely!

This is an excellent, clean, masculine fragrance. I consider it a classic men's fragrance that hasn't gotten the hype as many other fragrances of its time. Before I tried it, I was surprised to find the Azzaro PH, used this one as inspiration and improved upon it. I do find them fairly similar, but Azzaro PH is much more complex. This fragrance is linear in comparison, but what it does contain that makes it stand out is the resinous, green notes that last the entirety of the life. Sillage is about average and longevity on my skin is about 5 hours.
Great for everyday or for work.
Thumbs up.

In the 1980’s Paco Rabanne, Eau Sauvage, and Jules were the scents in my youthful repertoire. Here we are almost thirty years later, and how do things stand up? Well Eau Sauvage is a timeless classic, and I wear it with enjoyment. But curiosity got the best of me, and I decided it was time to ride the old war-horse Paco. And you know what? It is not as bad as I feared. Micro-doses of this suit today’s scentsibility. Given that, I find much to appreciate. The opening is bracing, crisp and aromatic. It has minty, pine and green notes. Then woods and spices (clove-cinnamon) emerge. The result is a soapy, barbershop vibe. The base notes are rich but not oppressive or deadly sweet… again this will be true if this has been applied in tiny spritzes. The tobacco is restrained and effective, with a brown tangy twang. In my young days I wouldn’t have recognized myrrh but I do now – it is complex, perfumed; and it gives a slightly moody and contemplative air. The dry-down is mossy and soapy; charming and close to the skin. In conclusion, this is certainly worth a try. For me it is no longer a go-to scent. But it is a pleasant blast from my past.

Simply a classic and truly not "like" any other common fragrance. Purchased long ago, and I keep buying it. It is long lasting, quite sensuous. Do go lightly though!

Another constant in my collection. full of sentimental reasons made justifies so. I love this as I love Eau Sauvage. I find the both to be more similar to each other than others are to them. I love the green bottle and it certainly leaves up to its colour. Again you cant escape herbs but definitely fresher than Antaeua ( which is one of few oldies i wasnt impressed with) and its potency is put to good use making its longevity enjoyable. PRPH is as well rounded as ES. Its more personal to me than other scents since i grew up smelling these 2 alot from childhood to the end of my teenage years, explaining my deep sentimental interest. Ive yet to notice any lavender or Honey, tho the musk and herbs are blatant from start to finish. Its a scent that a person new to it would not enjoy if he were below 21 in my opinion. Tho id say anyone in their late 20s to their ripest of ages could find this very stature-defining.

Fantastically powerful and long lasting so apply with caution or no-one will be able to get near you! But still an absolute classic that has stood the test of time. If you search ebay it is remarkable how few used bottles are on offer compared to other famous fragrances.

One of the early so-called aromatic (or herbal) fougères. This class of "fern" scents ("fougère" means "fern" in French) traditionally include the trio of oakmoss, clary sage, and coumarin (in this one, that's the tonka bean); they also often include lavender. Jean Martel's take on this cleverly introduced rosemary and laurel. These are both herbal-resinous notes that aid in yielding a much stronger projection than the earlier fougère scents. The rosewood in the top adds a fresh, floral-woody note, and the honey in the base gives some depth, richness, and a bit of animal "sweat." The times were right for this pumped-up version of the fresh, lighter masculine EdT. It was, after all, the era of the muscle car...

I can smell the notes individually: lavender, moss, sage, all good but together it becomes a soapy linear scent. Well composed but too strong sometimes.

a stone cold classic. just bought a bottle of this today. the last time i'd smelled it was when i had a tiny sample when i was 12 years old. I got re-interested in this after i smelled Bond No. 9's "Great Jones"....which is an EXACT (i mean really really exact) copy of Paco Rabanne PH.

To me, this smells like an underground indie rock and roll show. I don't get all the reviews about lavender and floral, and blah blah blah....to me, this smells like petrol, musk, and a rubber/leather compound. It really glows and lasts forever. I can sense its presence at all times......

absolutely brilliant. completely masculine...with driving gloves, a leather helmet....aiming for the tight turns of an italian mountain road.

This review is under revision.

Good on me. top notes are powerful and lasting. Great value, only best to apply lightly. Often attracts admiring comments widely used, probably not for those seeking something rare or individual.

Love this, so timeless. I love the clean smell. Seems simple, but at closer inspection quite complicated, as stated before, quite green. I get complimented constantly by this fragrance from the early 70's, and I am a product of that time. It just goes to show all that is old is new again.

Paco was my first exposure to the subtle world of fragrances back in the early eighties. It was defining, opened up a whole new world.
Sure, it's not how they do men's product today but I find it to be a very sophisticated fragrance, timeless!

dirty, classico of long ago, it continues firm in the battle with frags of the new millenium, the times like very to use, its green saida and aggressive they bring a welfare harmonious, I feel as an intellectual, phd in quantica fisica,
times later the loaded base of musky honey and ambar predominates bathed for lavander, the tobacco inexists in me! the odor lavander-animalic, now makes to feel me in the abandoned school, teaching to the rats and cockroachs the "quimica theory of the sewers" I love and I hate! true classico, old school, deserves respect! I would respect more, if it thus respected me

This is a classic.
Quite soapish at first but transforms into a very warm homely scent after a short while -this can be attributed to the base notes.
I was disappointed by the longevity;I'm more of a L'Eau Bleue D'Issey pour Homme ,RL Safari for men ,Dior's Fahrenheit etc strong fragrance kinda guy.
The very first time I used it was kinda disappointed for a few days but really got to love the cologne by the time I was quarter way thru the bottle (100ml EDT).
I would recommend this to anyone looking for something exquisite and simple at the same time.

Very fresh scent, so powerful juice here. Very green too. Classic old time power timeless scent.

SO-PAY! To the nth degree. Like a bar of strong deodorant soap. Masculine, good projection and longevity. After several hours, the drydown evokes Obsession for some strange reason. Maybe just me. This is not what I would consider a clubbing scent or one for the 20-30 something crowd.

Clean and Green.

I find the pine and herb opening a tad old fashioned and would be self concious walking out the door immediately after applying.

From there it becomes significantly more dignified and consequently I become more self assured. The florals do not really come out for me: rather Pacco Rabanne proceeds directly to the honey/musk dry down. Understated, uncomplicated and masculine.

Wear it: At home when friends pop over for a BBQ

A nice, all-round, rounded, and somewhat 'complete' smelling green-animalic. To me, the tobacco, honey and leather in this one gives it a very animalic initial blast. Whereas one might usually imagine animalic notes to come through more as the dry-down progresses toward the base, I find the animalic note in this is most prominent at the start. I find this also the case with Jicky.

A friend of mine who studied chemistry at university told me this is probably because the top notes in both fragrances, Paco and Jicky, are quite sharp, clean, green and citrusy, and therefore, volitile. This clashes with the soft, creamy, sweet and smooth basenotes, wich appears to emphasise the animalic note, project it, and in some fragrances (like Jicky) make it even worse (although I am a fan of Jicky).

Anway, back to the point. A nice green and well-rounded perfume for men, a fragrance that would best suit Autumn and early- to mid-Spring, and maybe even a mild Summer's day.

As I mentioned before, the initial blast is somewhat animalic and 'dirty' smelling, very 70's, but it does progress rather quickly to something very green and kinda soft. It reminds me of the old Green Adidas aftershave, deoderant and bodywash (I think it was Sport, not sure, but this was before they overhauled the adidas line), combined with liquid soap, an Irish aftershave that I dont remember the name of, or may possibly never have existed, the cheap-as-chips green smelling deoderant that you can buy from and drug store or dime store, and the very slightest hint of Jicky at the beginning, with a lot of coumarin. That is the best descriptive approximation I can come up with at present.

Quite popular with the grown Latino and Taiwanese populations here in Brisbane, as it becomes more financially accessible by the year.

Good stuff.

One of the popular fragrances, along with Polo, Boss, Drakkar Noir and Armani in my school years the 80's.

Not a bad smell per se, but Paco smells pretty similar to a toilet freshener, not a nice association.
Out of the fragrances mentioned Armani is the one I like the best, the more subtle one.

I was just using Axe lol for years until I sprittzed this one on while at a department store. It was way better than any of the Axes. So I got me a bottle. Most of the reviewers are correct when they describe it as clean. Its pure clean without any complication. Subtle too.

A marriage of top and middle notes form an aromatic, masculine scent. A powerful rosemary/sage top note is noted. Unfortunately, does not discriminate itself very much from the green deodorant in the dollar store: it is a a little more smooth than spicy but otherwise on me does not smell all that much more than if I took a shower with irish spring and then put generic green deodorant on. Cannot pickup the honey base note on me. Like the smell, do not find it refined, not sure if worth the price.

I got Paco Pour Homme sent to me about 2
months ago. I first smelled this magnificent aroma through a sample about 4 years ago when I was 16. The smell of this conjured a great image into my mind. An image of a crisp and cool breezy fall night, dark yet exiliratingly. This fragrance is a classic, and should be worshipped among any great fragrance expert with a good nose. It is not lacking great depth. Its aura is outstanding and develops greatly on the skin. It is very fougere and soapy, and I say that not to undermine its quality. It is strong and the opening is very reminescent to Kourous, but develops entirely differnt and unique in its own right.

Well! For some reason it always smelled cheaply fresh and I could never get this fact out of my head...never had this feeling that I smell great and that, I beleive is the most important thing...doesn't matter if u get a complement or two. Exchanged it at the first opportunity and never felt at loss.

If this is a classic, then I had better get my nose fixed. There is no complexity here. As one reviewer noted, it's missing something - maybe a smoky incense note, or whatever's in Creed's Vintage Tabarome. That said, it's OK to wear to a football game; it's not unpleasant. I get the feeling that the perfumer got this fragrance to a point and said, "Time for lunch!"

This is my all time favorite scent. Or should I say was? I wore this in the early to mid eighties and then retired it. I bought it again in the late nineties and there was something different about it. It seemed that it had been changed somehow. It was so overpowering when you first put it on and pretty much remained that way. It seemed that some of the secondary elements of the fragrance had been brought to the forefront so that all of the originals subtlety was lost. It was no longer the comforting somewhat dreamy scent that I remembered. Sure, it still basically smelled the same but it was not the same. I tried the apres shave and found it to be much closer to the original that I remembered. The shower gels scent is almost exactly like the original, but you can't dab shower gel on your pulse points. Why oh why do they have to go and mess up a good thing?
Yes, I still wear Paco Rabanne PH EDT but it will never be the same. If I nose around in it for a while I can sometimes find that special chemical interaction that was the original Paco and then I can find those memories locked inside.

Along with Polo and Gentleman, this one is NOT to be over-applied (lest one wish to be murdered by one's co-workers, that is). Great stuff when applied sparingly, but sheer toxic waste when applied with a trowel and a towel.

An absolute classic! Such simple notes, but wow do they work - ladies love this

Despite being distinctive and quite attractive, the original Paco, to me, is not a complete scent: It lacks a sobering note that would suggest it to a man whose energy, attitude, and approach to life are tempered by experience.
Stylish, but a wee bit deficient in substance.

Pure masculinity in a bottle. It reminds me of millionaire entrepeneur and true classic that is worthy of any warddrobe (including mine!)

One classic, fresh and clean fragrance, very good to casual day.

Very clean and strong no-nonsense scent... Great for work and gets many compliments from the ladies. Soapy? No... Soapy clean and fresh? Yes!

many moons agoat the tender age of 18 this became my first proper scent.it was wonderful.i owned it only once but the memory lingers..and its a fine memory..lush freshness which slowly dissolves into a woody, musky odeur..lovely..

I use to love this one. I dont know what happened.I guess i just changed my taste. This days I usually find it a bit to cloying when I try it.
benb

Like an alley kat sleeping in a discarded box of detergent. A counterintuitive mix of soapy and animalic, the latter bolstered by a rather pissy rendition of honey.

Monaco and the entire Riviera in a bottle. Fine citrus acidity, yet not offensive, only a slightly sharp and crisp touch. Gentlemanlike to the last drop, smells elegant without excessive, agressive notes.

My initial reactions to Paco Rabanne were far from positive. I was shocked that a respected classic could be so sharp, overbearing, gaudy, and, yes, CHEAP. On my subsequent wearings, I made sure to clear the nozzle of the applicator first and then went a lot lighter on the trigger—like half a squirt. The results were much better. The top notes now were not that disgusting blast of green, but a quite likeable green containing a prominent, clean lavender. This lavender note stayed well into the powdery, honey, musky, mossy dry down. I’m still trying to decide how much I like this particular lavender note—I really suspect it will grow on me and that I will end up being a convert.

In it's day, this was probably a fantastic scent, but now, it smells a bit dated (albeit not bad)...sweet, energetic, and cool, but exceptionaly powdery, conjures up images of vacationing with new money stockbrokers in Aspen circa 1983, skiing along the fresh powder on your newly waxed rosignols, and at the end of the day, driving your Jag to a rustic cabin to enjoy a toddy and talk with your buddies about how much money you'll be making in the comming year...

This was the first fine fragrance I ever wore so when I recently bought a bottle, I anticipated many memories flooding back at first whiff. That didn't happen. Whether it is my older sinuses or a "re-orchestration" of the juice, I cannot say....but this is not the scent of my youth. While similar, today the scent smells harsh. My memory of silky smooth,warm and soapy doesn't mesh with the ragged, burny, soapy smell of today. On a positive note, the updated packaging is a winner. I am still giving this a thumbs up because it may be unfair to make a judgement based on memory.

I like this and I don't know why. It is a lot harsher than the type of fragrances I usually go for. I generally prefer fruitier blends, however the woody harshness of this just works although I'm not convinced it should. I find the EDT a bit too much so I prefer the splash-on. I leaves my face feeling fresh and smelling great.

The opening is indeed a harsh, herbal, soapy blast that can be hard to deal with. But soon thereafter, the notes blend down harmoniously with soft honey and amber notes and a light musk, all the while balanced by the persistence of the herbal lavender and geranium notes. One of those scents that can be worn in any season. Soapy without being "clean." Very nice.

This was first given to me by my college sweetheart more years ago than I care to admit, and it was my signature scent for some time. I have recently started wearing it again, and I'd forgotten how good it is. The formula has not changed, and except for perhaps a slight diminution in quality of ingredients, it is as mighty as ever. Lavender and honey are the dominant notes; it is clean and not too sweet. Another modern classic, one I can heartily recommend to men of all ages.

This is an herbal mess. A sharp herbal mess with earthy accents. Somewhere in the mess there is a soapy accord, which just makes the whole thing seem like an even bigger mess. I feel weird giving the only negative review, but earthy, herbal, and soapy all together really doesn’t sit well with me.

Pleasant, ticklish hints of endearing juvenile behavior. Paco rabanne. 7 out of 10.

Excellent bottle no doubt. Calandre by Rabanne is another great bottle with neat metal details. However this is one of the few powerhouse fragrances that I absolutely cannot stand. It reminds me of Aramis in it's thick herbal quality. If there was only some more sweetness added to the dense soapiness it could become great, but it's just to dry and cloying. Like an inpenetrable garden of sickly dry kitchen herbs.

For a nice one in this very same, mossy category, go for Gucci Nobile instead.

I have numerous fine colognes in my arsenal, including pr pour homme. The lasting power is unparalleled, and the scent is high quality, especially on the drydown. Believe it or not, I have received compliments from women when wearing Cool Water, Hugo Boss #1, and even Michael Jordan, yet not paco rabanne. However, the ladies (co-workers and customers) at work begin acting strangely around me when they catch a whiff of paco; it's kind of like their eyes light up...

By far the sexiest mens' fragrance to date. Never fails to get a compliment, 30 years after I bought my first bottle. It lasts forever, too. Who needs pheromones with PR pour homme? The fact that Rabanne -- who, although he worked for Balenciaga, has a sensibility closer to Roger Vadim's --is a better welder than designer even gives it a masculine association at the designer level.

What a wonderful scent! So masculine! It's Green but you can feel the musk in it!! A true Classic!!!

Paco Rabanne exudes masculine sexuality. It's one of those rare fragrances which can bring you to your knees wondering what just hit you, but it hits you so softly you don't realize it. There are many fragrances which are poweful and raw, but not match this one for refinment and it's ability to leave you longing for more. Surreptitious and beckoning.

I am on to my second Bottle of Paco Rabbane and still not tired. It reflects masculinity and power. Its a kind of fragrance wich can be worn casuall and at the same time fits a formal occasion. The cologne settles down very nicely though the start is very extrovert. A true classic.

The very first cologne I ever put on. I used it because my mother would buy it for me & my bro. Everyone always loved it, both men and women. A must have, a true classic.

Paco...Paco...Paco. What an admirable scent. A must have for the classic man. Staying power and energy inducing aromatics. Guaranteed to be a mans cologne of longivity.

A stylish herbal aromatic fougere with spices and honey notes. Starts with sharp herbal accord leading to sweetened spices and soapy laurel aroma. A drop of honey in the base note to it. Good classic daytime formal fragrance for colder temps. Don't be frightened of the mighty sharp top note, as it passes away the smell gets smooth. Pay some attention to your personal right amount to be applied.

Green, herbal, soapy-fresh fougere with incredibly good drydown. One of the men's all-time classics. A must-have