Reviews of Caron Pour Un Homme (1934)
by Caron

A pleasantly intense burst of herbal lavender in the top, bordering on pine-like and minty, and a touch of civet bridging to a softly spicy and powdery tonka bean base. Like many classic masculine EdT's, it's a little top-heavy, and its initial intensity goes soft quickly and it becomes faint and undetectable long before I'd like it to. Still, if you like a light, classical, beautifully composed men's fragrance, Pour Un Homme is sure to please.

As for me... I'd love either an EdP or parfum version!

I really like this one. Nice lavender opening, and I agree with mrclmind that there is a hint of civet that shows up briefly in the early development. Then a nice vanilla drydown. A bit sweet, but not excessively so. Very classy and "old school". Definite thumbs up!

Excellent. I like this a lot. Lavender and vanilla. The lavender opening is perfectly executed, then I get lots of vanilla. They launched this in 1934, so I guess sweet vanilla fragrances like Givenchy's Pi are nothing new, just history repeating itself.

Either way, I do not recognize much beyond the lavender and vanilla, but this is unlike anything else I own and it can be had for relatively cheap. Try it if you can, even if only for its historical significance.

This is one of my old favorites. It's classy and dignified, too. Sure, there is lavender in it but also vanilla and herbs. Originally this was called "Le Plus Bel Lavande Pour Homme". The name was changed about 20 yrs ago. It is long lasting without ever being "cloying". To me, this fragrance represents a very stable man who doesn't follow the many "silly" fragrance trends of the present day. Whenever I wear this people will always comment on how pleasing it is to the senses. Often, women will often say it is "unforgetable" because it is so distinct.

Delightful and unique blend of lavender and vanilla; a little understated as long as you don't overapply it. This is the essence of a magnificent man's EDT from France. As some point out, it is not for the faint at heart and it may be too "powdery" for others but for me it is a haunting and magnificent fragrance I can't be without.

"My lavender companion, always so welcome, how you greet me with those pure, clear, pale green eyes." "As lavender must, such a spiritual herb." "But why do you lead me now through the ugliness of this acrid slum? The smell is quite putrid, like stale sweat ... Is it the clary sage?" "Just a fleeting detour, my dear. Endure it, for soon we will emerge to the mansion." "Ah, now I see - that big, beautiful house, seemingly conjured from a cloud of vanilla and powder (but still with that acrid undertone). Strange how it seems to fix and fuse the very essence of your lavender dream ... But who are these people gathering there?" "Oh, statesmen and boxers and poets and such. All men of taste and distinction. None can resist my charms." (de Charlus).

A really classic scent. The smell of a serious and interesting man. Very well crafed. A explosion of lavender in the beginning and then vanilla and herbs. Maybe you need to have a certain age and perfume experience to apreciate this cologne. Very long lasting scent.

Ah! I love this stuff. Starts off with bracing lavender and a bit of some sort of charred wood that I'm too green to identify. Maybe cedar. The lavender slowly loses it's edge, and some herbs push the charred wood to the back. It stays as lavender with herbs for perhaps 30 minutes (but sometimes it seems to get stuck here on me for hours, much to my annoyance).

I get varied results at this point depending on the day. On the days that it gets stuck in lavender mode like I mentioned a second ago, I don't get much vanilla out of it, and it stays as a warm, round lavender for ages. On the days that the lavender lets up a bit, vanilla with a bit of cinnamon come forward and make themselves known.

On it's good days, it is my favorite fragrance. When the lavender refuses to give way, it becomes a little tiresome and boring. Time to toss the dice!

That's some gorgeous lavender! I Caron Pour Un Homme for just the top note alone! But lest anyone ever get the impression that (as is stated in the H&R Directory) that this is a simple lavender fragrance, there is a short journey through a rose and wood heart which leads right down into a mossy vanilla base that lasts on my skin for hours. It's not listed in the pyramid but I distinctly smell a civet note as well which gives the clean lavender note just the right dose of grit to make this one a real winner! Damn convention. I wear this anywhere and at anytime. It is just that gorgeous,

Jicky without the civet.

Well, not really, but the two classics approach their dominant lavender accords from similar directions. In my experience lavender fragrances fall into two broad groups. Mix lavender with aromatic herbs, sharp citrus, and green notes, and you’ll get a brisk, astringent accord. Serge Lutens’s Gris Clair is a good example. Blend lavender with sweet citrus, vanilla, amber, and/or animalic musks, and the resulting accord will be warm and comforting. Both Jicky and Caron Pour un Homme take the latter approach, and both do it exceptionally well. But whereas Jicky underpins its citrus, lavender, and vanilla with a provocative civet base, Caron Pour un Homme’s lavender rests on a base of sweet, powdery amber and creamy woods.

While it’s reasonably potent, Caron Pour un Homme wears fairly close to the body. As lavender is a volatile note, the scent changes gears after two hours or so, when it begins to dry down to its luxuriously cushioned vanilla and wood base. The overall effect is comfortable, yet sophisticated, and very, very easy to live with. If you’re looking for a soft, fuzzy take on lavender but don’t relish Jicky’s animal overtones, Caron Pour un Homme is a must-try fragrance.

If I had to choose 3 colognes only to live with for the rest of my life, Pour un Homme would be one of them. It's lavender is comforting and refreshing and the changeover to vanilla and musk is subtle and sensual, but not so sexy that it gets obtrusive. It will bring a quick look, maybe a smile, often of friendly recognition from a guy who knows the territory. And let's not forget that it's stood the test of time. I don't even get an inkling of what some of you are talking about when you find it offensive. It's - home.

I first smelled this sitting on an airplane between Cameroon and Gabon in Central Africa. It was enchanting then and that impression never left me. I love the blast of lavender at the beginning and the long vanilla musk drydown. I've smelled guys who overdo it with this one; it was pretty heavy. So watch the number of spritzes! It's true that it's relatively simple, and quite 'old', but for all that a classic and a pleasure to wear. You can get it inexpensively on EBAY!

Yes, yes, definately yes! Can a scent get better than that? Sensual but understated, elegant but not excessively formal, distingished yet virile, divinely soft yet still robust and full of personality. It's hard to think that this was made in 1934, as it anticipates some masterworks in the style of the 1990's/2000's- and i'm only meaning the exceptional perfume creations of these two decades, setting themselves apart from perfume history, not the inflation of run of the mill products also typical of these decades. It's not only a timeless scent, i guess it came much ahead of it's time. The first impression slightly sweet, overtly floral, with a creamy and vanillic touch, but if this description might be suitable for a feminine scent, well, it's entire the opposite, as the second and more lasting impression, particularly during the drydown it becomes masculine, but with moderation and an immense velvet glove or cover surrounding a rich, energetic, robust and hyper-virile conservative chypre-woody touch. If Caron is the quintessence of French distinction, then Pour un Homme is one of the best examples for that, as it represent everything that French haute-couture, savoir-vivre, dandysm, luxury and indisputable, established reputation of good taste stands for. It comes pretty close to my own perception of the ideal scent, as it has everything that stands for an olfactory masterpice: a history to back it's reputation, a high-class yet not snobbish appeal, a certain niche ( almost shock ) value, since, altough a designer scent, it's a rather uncommon and unpredictable choice, the mixture of elitism and subtle ( not commonplace simplicity ), a fascinating harmony of inoffensive, warm florals and also some old-school ( yet not dated ) undertones, harmoniusly included in a suprisingly avant-garde mixture. I might just have found one of my latest favorites!

sexy, in the most understated,delicate and yet so headturning way.
It has class, that kind of taken back elegance that should be worn by someone just as discrete but elegant and fine in his manners. a real gentleman

I must admit, of the three Caron men's frags I've tried, pour un homme was initially the most disappointing. I wasn't a fan of the powdery vanilla drydown. But after persisting with my generous sample from Les Senteur in London, I found it growing on me. When we moved into the colder months, I found that once the lavender note had faded, there was an animalic undertone to the vanilla which came out in lower temperatures and it tempered the sweet powderiness.

A few months on and pour un homme is my favourite, whilst I have grown a little tired of Yatagan and particularly the 3rd Man.

Yes, this scent is perhaps a little old fashioned, but it oozes an understated sophisticated class and is a comfort scent. Brilliant

A very classy fragrance, it smells a bit like you'd expect your rich grandpa to smell. Lavender dominates for a few minutes, then very quickly gives way to a strong, cedar and vanilla smell that lasts for ages. It's really far too formal smelling for everyday wear, but it makes a good business fragrance, particularly if you're doing business with older gentlemen.

This is a classic legendary scent, but a little dated. Go with Third Man or Lanarchiste, for newer stuff. This stuff lasts forever but is without doubt for men over the age of 40, but so is Gentlemen by Givenchy. Both amazing but for older folks no doubt. Got to respect both, no matter who you think you are.

This one's like Third Man and Yatagan alike in that you MUST give it a full hour (minimum) before you judge it.

Luscious use of vanilla here, although the lavender blast at the opening can certainly overpower the vanilla at first.

Powdery? Yes. Old fashioned? You bet. (Surprisingly, though, we see vanilla prominently used in men's frags again these days.)

I cannot see why Caron never marketed this one as unisex, though -- its soft, rounded corners and warm vanilla and sharp lavender should appeal to both genders equally, IMHO.

Ahh, one of my signature fragrances....a delicious and unique swirl of class and wonder like no other. From its lavender and lemon beginnings right down to the intoxicating blend of vanilla and musk and floral/herb inbetweens, this stands alone as a classic, old-style sophisticated creation from 1934. I love it, love it, love it! I have used this fragrance regularly since 1978 and I have it in both its EDT and EDP versions. It will always remain in my wardrobe till I'm taken away or they take it away.

I have done a review of this one before and I might have been a bit unfare to it. It is not as bad as I said. Maybe it could be a hint stronger. But essentially it is really a good example of elegant simplicity.
benb

Or PuH is one of the greatest fragrances and I do not understand it or I understand this is not a great fragrance anymore. I use it sometimes but is to sweet and heavy. On the other side Caron is well known for its daring parfumes, see Yatagan. If you are for a fine lavender water look somewhere else. If you are looking for a surprise then try this first. You may love it. PuH should remain as an historical fragrance,untouched.And used.Sometimes.

While the development of this fragrance is dominated by the lavender to vanilla progression, its the other notes which pull it gently this way and that, add nuance and give direction.

The top has a pinch of lightly sweetened citrus as well as a little dry rosemary which together hint at classic eaux

The heart is brief and is more a link between the top and base than a distinct section in its own right, as the lavender fades into the vanillic base some distant woods, sage and rose creep around quietly, all clearly present (especially the rosewood) but not making a fuss.

The famed vanilla base is not as straightforward as people make out, it twists with the damp moss and the tonka which put bumps in the smoothness of the vanilla and add a little feeling of soil to the purity.

A very important and special classic.

The strident lavender topnote seems a little harsh and acrid to me, but it soon settles down to a wonderful soft vanilla underscored by the clary sage and rosewood heart notes. Definitely a period piece (along with 1934's other great men's scent, Dunhill) and a "whispering" scent, as the ad campaign goes.

I really admire this one, again,for sentimental reasons: the late sixties,the era when a charter flight to Alicante, and it's minimalist design Airport was still considered exclusive and people wore Cardin suits to board!

Here's the trick; When I bought it to bring back these memories, I did note it wasn't as strong and sharp as I remembered it; Then my mother explained me my dad's trick:

He used to place a cigarette in the bottle, a Gauloises to be precise, something the lads did in the French para's. This definatly gave it the edge!

( The author of this review cannot be held responsable for any individual trying this odd addition...!!)Good luck!

Most of the things have been said already.Por un homme by Caron is a very traditional, classical scent for someone who loves lavendar waters.A bit vanilla and citrus were added.It may be used by elderly gentlemen.A bit dated and conservative.Well at that time a man was not used to wear a cologne as nowadays.I personally used it for a time but I was missing the very special touch,the touch of being unique- and already the third man by caron is definitely different.But in it´s simplicity this edt is a grat scent and it captures the times and what men would use and were suppose to use.But if you look for something more daring, adventurous,unforgettable choose another scent......

When two things make a perfect One
Like Mani Padme goes with Om
Quand la vanille embrace lavande
It’s Daltroff’s Caron pour un homme!

Women adore the smell of babies. Forget that top note of lavender which seems more like a shriek. That's just the olefactorial steamed towel over the face. Just as one begins thinking of 1930's barbers, the dry down begins with a haze of vanilla and a glow of musk. It is a brilliant creation intended to please women without unsettling men.

"Simplex sigillum veri - The simple is the seal of the true", said the ancients.
Intelligence is sufficient to appreciate this maxim; and wisdom, to understand it.
Demonstrating its truth by ones work, however, demands genius.
Try Caron pour un homme, and you'll agree with me that Ernest Daltroff was one.
A conception of stylish yet sober masculinity, achieved with stunning minimalism to boot, that is yet to be bettered.
Truly Masterful.

Caron state that Pour Un Homme was the very first fragrance ever created for men. It is certainly highly distinctive with a balanced, almost 'herbal' and quite intoxicating kick. A good every day 'business' fragrance and one that few others will be wearing. Good investment.

I ordered this for myself purely on recommendations. I was looking for a nice lavender-based fragrance and several people recommended this. Since I'm not afraid to "switch sides", I gave it a try.

Well, it's nice on me. I like it. The lavender-citrus opening notes are a little powerful on me, but that settles down and it becomes a nice, soft, clean soapy kind of fragrance.

And then I wanted to see what happened when my husband wore it, how it worked on him and with his skin and his chemistry and... WOW. I'm actually kind of shocked as to how VERY good it smells on him. Something about his chemistry really works with this and it's just fantastic.

The lavender, which was a too strong on me, is, on him, strong but light and fresh, and the development into the vanilla is just delicious. I would never have thought of him as a bloke who could wear vanilla comfortably, but in this fragrance, it really works.

I don't think I'll be wearing this one that much in the future, because I fully expect to enjoy it on him, instead! Fabulous!

I agree that it's hard to smell anything other than the lavender and the vanilla here. But undoubtedly, a timeless classic. A very comforting scent for when my statement is "I'm minding my own business now but later, you'll see what a genius I am." I wish Caron was more popular and more appreciated here in the States.

This is the most wearable everyday Caron I own (PS am female). It's a real morpher--wet it starts with an almost medicinal blast of lavender, but that quickly fades into a vanillic warm amber base with a bit of lavender floating on top. Unexpected from sniffing the bottle, but quite lovely, and to me very reminiscent of POTL although less sweet/almondy. It's a sophisticated, slightly complex, but warm and deliciously unfoody drydown. I have the 4.2 oz bottle, masculine design and pleasingly hefty. If I ever win another gift certificate, I want the honkin-big 85-dollar 30-oz VAT of this.

The listed notes strike me as a bit optimistic - it's very hard for me to detect much complexity beyond the lavender and vanilla. Still, the combination is beautiful. I only wish the lavender topnotes lasted longer. For the moments when the lavender is slowly being overtaken my the vanilla base, this scent is intoxicating

There have been times, upon initial application of this classic, where my eyes nearly roll back into my head. The astringency of the lavender mated with the sweetness of the French vanilla translate to a concoction that can lift the spirits. And yet it can be difficult to wear. On my father, for one, it just didn't work at all (though HE quite enjoyed it). But for the lucky ones whose chemistry allows this to blossom, they may just have found a lifelong companion.

Caron's Pour un Homme is one of my most beloved classics. It feels so modern you can't understand it was created more than half a century ago! I guess this was the first fragrance to combine the sharp astringent qualities of lavender with smooth and powdery bourbon vanilla. The combination is of course brilliant and the sales of for instance Gaultier's Le Male is great proof of this. PuH is sweet, masculine, confidence-inducing, comforting and uplifting all at once. One for gentlemen around the globe. A subtle classic, will be available forever (I guess and hope).

Pour un Homme is great. It’s a great blend of vanilla and lavender that comes off very powdery and comforting. It’s a great night time fragrance for me. It’s pretty simple as far as fragrances go, but I’ve never smelled lavender and vanilla combined this well. It doesn’t last as long as I’d like, but I hope that upcoming Parfum version will cure that.

Excellent..Luxurius..especialy when drying down, with Vanila note. As said by one of the reviewer(Viktor ,Germany):"I ask myself, why do you try all this new fashioned stuff again and again? You'd better study classics. It's true. Caron pour Homme " I can say, I've tried many of classical fragrances, but this would be my favorite. Thanks CARON for such perfume.

A few chords in perfect harmony have an effect which is greater than the sum of its parts. Like a bright, minimally furnished room with classic pieces perfectly spaced. A great leveller, always puts me on an even keel. In the morning it's rousing. In the daytime it's efficient. In the evening it's cultured and civilised. At bedtime it's soporific. Timeless. Humanist.

Not a fragrance for the impatient. This scent takes is time developing. At first the lavender and vanilla seem to be at war, with neither winning. Then,gradually the vanilla becomes dominant,with the lavender still having enough presence to give it something of an edge. Exquisite drydown.

This seems to be a very well made fragrance. It dries down a little sweet, but not sickly sweet. The vanilla is not too strong but adds a nice base. My only real complaint is the clary sage note is a little too strong. This either goes away or maybe I simply get used to it after a half hour so. A classy old-school style scent, I think it still goes well with today’s modern life. A formal fragrance that can be used at the office as well as in the evening. I like it, but for me the clary sage note is too discordant with the rest of the scent. I wear it occasionally in the evenings or sometimes at work. Good, but not one of my favorites.

A classic. A refined and reserved combination of lavender and vanilla. The vanilla makes the scent more voluptuous and enables the lavander to last a lot longer than is typical with this herbal note. Probably not a scent that would appeal to anyone young, a mature man might find this an ideal fragrance.

Excellent and excellent.