Men
French Lover
Acordes principales
Descripción
French Lover by Frederic Malle is an aromatic woody fragrance for men. This composition was launched in 2007 under the olfactory direction of Pierre Bourdon. In its opening, the perfume unfolds a bouquet of galbanum, juniper, pepper, violet leaves, and pink pepper. The heart reveals floral and woody elegance with angelica, cedar, incense, and iris root. The base settles on vetiver, oakmoss, white musk, and amber, closing the structure with a warm and earthy depth.
Resumen rápido
Pirámide olfativa
Estructura completa de la fragancia: de la salida al fondo.
Comunidad
Qué dicen los usuarios sobre propiedad, preferencia y mejor momento de uso.
Propiedad
¿La tienen, la tuvieron o la quieren?
Preferencia
Cómo valora la comunidad esta fragancia.
Uso recomendado
Estación y momento del día con más votos.
Dónde comprar
Compara tiendas verificadas para French Lover y elige según envío, precio o disponibilidad.
Amazon
Envío rápidoEntrega rápida y política de devoluciones conocida.
Ideal si priorizas velocidad y disponibilidad.
Ver en Amazon
eBay
Más opcionesMás opciones de precio, formatos y vendedores.
Útil para comparar alternativas antes de decidir.
Ver en eBay
Características
Resumen de votos sobre longevidad, estela, género y percepción de precio.
Longevidad
Escasa
Débil
Moderada
Duradera
Muy duradera
Estela
Suave
Moderada
Pesada
Enorme
Género
Femenino
Unisex femenino
Unisex
Unisex masculino
Masculino
Precio
Extremadamente costoso
Ligeramente costoso
Precio moderado
Buen precio
Excelente precio
Reseñas
Experiencias reales de la comunidad sobre uso diario, rendimiento y estela.
Para dejar una reseña necesitas iniciar sesión.
18 reseñas
Mostrando las más recientes primero.
Category:
A fragrance without pretensions of originality but with clear merits. French Lover is a classic aromatic-chypre of men’s perfumery, yet it has something that stops it from feeling ‘old school’. I cannot explain why; you must try it yourselves. It has standout advantages: elegance, masculinity, and versatility. It seems more suitable for daytime wear. It is, in my view, one of the most masculine fragrances from Frederic Malle, alongside Geranium Pour Monsieur and Vetiver Extraordinaire. In short, an excellent proposition for anyone seeking a quality classic.
What Bourdon has done for Malle is simply brilliant. The opening of French Lover is original and distinct: fresh, spicy, with galbanum and pepper making it green, earthy, and piquant. Very natural, sexy, and with a flawless balance. The heart of aromatic angelica is nuanced with a soft smoky touch of incense, built on a cedar and vetiver axis that gives it a more masculine air. The dry down of white musk starts luminous and evolves into something mysterious, sexy, and dark thanks to the final oakmoss. Excellent longevity, moderate sillage, and perfect on skin. An elegant, refined, and enigmatic fragrance. Rating: 9.1
What Bourdon has done for Malle is simply brilliant. The opening of French Lover is super original: fresh and spicy with galbanum and pepper, green, earthy, and piquant. Very natural, sexy, and with a flawless balance. The heart of aromatic angelica, with a soft smoky touch of incense, over cedar and above all vetiver, which gives it that more masculine air. The dry down of white musk starts very luminous and then becomes mysterious, sexy, and dark thanks to the final oakmoss, which adds complexity and richness. Excellent quality, very good longevity, and moderate sillage; ideal for modern, alternative daytime use. Perfect on skin. French Lover is the manifesto of an elegant, refined, unique, and enigmatic fragrance. Note: 9.1
A true work of art: a conceptual jewel with a spring soul. It is the green, tinkling kiss of the season, an angelic scent with a fine vetiver spirit. Structured with cedar and crowned by a masterful incense that guides its spiritual journey. Sometimes it flirts with chypre thanks to that noble oakmoss, but always from a delicate, romantic angle, paused like spring. Bourdon makes it walk the tightrope of nostalgic romance without falling into kitsch. Though it seems ethereal, it has surprising longevity and a contained projection, delicate yet always there, tinkling like that green kiss.
Little to add to the previous review; I remain committed to blind buys that, on occasions like this one, reconcile me with the idea that taking risks is worth it. It doesn’t incorporate itself into the collection by its own merits, but it seems there was a specific place reserved for it. First-class raw materials, assembled with the precision and good craftsmanship that only a few master, a true masterpiece that exemplifies the brilliance of spring. Very elegant fragrance, suitable for any occasion, with moderate projection and great longevity; one of those that if we were to make lists of all-time favourites, it would come out without regrets. Every generation has the obligation to innovate, but there are designs that earn themselves by their own merits to transcend the tastes of each era and become timeless. This fragrance is superlative, a wonder that will make and continue to make the delight of all lovers of the exquisite.
Little to add to the previous review; I continue to buy blind and sometimes, as here, I realise that taking a risk is worth it. It is not that it deserves to be in the collection by itself, but it seems there was a reserved spot for it. Top raw materials, assembled with the precision of the few who know how to do it well, a true masterpiece that exemplifies the brilliance of spring. Very elegant, suitable for any occasion, with moderate projection and great longevity; if we were making lists of all-time favourites, it would come out without doubt. Every generation must innovate, but there are designs that earn their place in eternity on their own merits, transcending fads and tastes of the era. This fragrance is superlative, a wonder that will delight all lovers of the exquisite.
Today I tried a sample they gave me and personally it hasn’t quite ended up pleasing me. It is true that it lasts quite a while and the high quality of the ingredients is noticeable, but it’s not an aroma of the kind I usually like. These very green scents with such a classic cut don’t go much with me. However, for those who like this type of aroma, they will surely love it. A good option for daily wear or to take to the office. Scent: 6. Longevity: 9. Sillage: 5. Quality/price: 5 (due to the high price, not due to low quality). Versatility: 9. Total: 6.5.
I tried a sample today, and to be honest, it did not suit me. It is true that it lasts a long time and the ingredients seem first-class, but it is not my style. I feel the same as others with those green tones and such a classic cut. For those who like this type of aroma, it will surely be a hit. It is a good option for everyday wear or the office. Scent: 6, Longevity: 9, Sillage: 5, Value for money: 5 (it is expensive, not that it is bad), Versatility: 9, Total: 6.5
Perfect cedar water, soft and blessed. My signature scent. On the first spritz we have a spicy but not strident opening. One is treated with a whirlwind of dry woods and angelica, but shortly afterwards a vetiver emerges that accompanies with authority and walks at the very top of the peak, flirting with the Cyprus. When it seems imminent its conversion, slightly musky and mossy notes appear to recover a sensation of cold, bright green over wood that lasts many hours. On the dry-down, a note of incense gives a post-cigarette scent sensation that makes it a perfect classic, elegant and masculine. The perfume seems cheeky and a bit austere, but it has a modern effect and style. Pierre Bourdon found the precise balance, as if he were modernising a classic from the 80s. If you are a lover of dry wood scents, you will enjoy French Lover greatly for its perfection and relevance. With good performance, around 10 hours on skin and medium projection, it’s a great option that should be tried. For my nose, French Lover along with Vetiver Extraordinaire are the only two fragrances in the Frédéric Malle collection at the extreme of masculinity. I understand that some may find it very dry and oppressive, but French Lover is for the cave men that inhabit among you. Greetings colleagues. Rating 9.75.
To leave no doubt about the quality of the ingredients and how natural the vetiver feels in the opening: spectacular and less pricking than Encre Noire. Having said that, on my skin the softness of the woods, the earthy or damp vetiver, and the incense come together. After the completely niche opening, I thought… Where have I heard this? In a church. I don’t know if it’s something of my skin, but watch out, because this can smell like those super tall grey stone churches where you feel humidity, and the truth is that I didn’t like that, especially if you look at the name of the fragrance.
French Lover by Frédéric Malle has a somewhat puzzling opening. The 90% of the opening is galbanum, a scent that reminds me of basil absolute or freshly cut parsley. An interesting opening but hardly wearable, who wants to smell like parsley? Fortunately, it’s one of those perfumes with two faces. After five minutes, the fragrance mutates! It settles with cedar and vetiver, with a very light smoky touch and the slightly acidic point of incense. Scent quality: rich, but not engaging. It doesn’t say much to me for the price. Projection: medium to low. Longevity: medium to low. Collectible aroma: no. It only surprises five minutes after application. Versatility: very high. Despite the green opening, that excess lasts barely 5 minutes. Ingredients: very natural. The galbanum in the opening, despite not liking it, is very natural and potent. Would I buy it? No. Would I recommend it? No. Reminds me of: correct quality/price. Overall rating: 6.5.
It’s not listed in the notes, but to me it smells mostly of cypress. It reminds me a bit of the Hinoki from CDG, but with a more authentic cypress. The longevity is short.
That Pierre Bourdon is the best perfumer in the world is not something I say, but his colleagues do. He proved it twice: in the 80s he hired Oliver Creed to get the company off the ground, and in 2002 he helped Claude Marchal launch MDCI. The best nose of the generation couldn’t be missing from the meeting with Frédéric Malle, who gives carte blanche to artists. Malle commissioned two perfumes from Bourdon, one feminine and one masculine. For the second, Bourdon didn’t disappoint and offered one of the best in his catalogue: French Lover. In a promotional video, Bourdon himself qualifies it as masculine. And it is. Bourdon drew a paradigm of masculinity in the middle of a forest battered by a storm. The breeze lifts aromas of wood and moss, creating a woody accord wrapped in incense. Everything smells of virgin earth, a pure landscape from another era. The name “Bois d’orage” (storm wood) was well chosen, although for commercial reasons it changed to French Lover. Doesn’t matter, the work of art remains intact. Bourdon moves away from current mediocrity and banishes “sparkling citrus notes”. Instead, he softens the earthy edges with spices, something few know how to do with mastery. The vetiver smells of aromatic earth and the perfume lasts as long as it should. Storms don’t last all day; they are passions that arrive and leave. French Lover measures the greatness of this artist. But there are other works, because no genius has only one. The true genius doesn’t hit by chance; it is talent, creativity, and inspiration.
That Pierre Bourdon is the best perfumer in the world is not something I say; his French colleagues say it. He proved it in the 80s with Creed and in 2002 with MDCI. Malle gave him carte blanche, and Bourdon did not disappoint with French Lover. In a video, Bourdon defines it as masculine, and it is: a paradigm of masculinity amidst a forest battered by a storm. The breeze lifts scents of wood and moss, creating a woody accord wrapped in incense, all in raw earth. The original name was ‘Bois d’orage’, but for commercial reasons it changed to French Lover. The work of art remains intact. Bourdon moves away from mediocrity and sparkling citrus notes; he softens the earthy edges with spices worked with mastery. The vetiver smells of aromatic earth and lasts as long as it should. These are natural passions that arrive and depart. French Lover measures the greatness of this genius, who does not hit the mark by chance but by talent and hard work.
A perfume from the expensive range of Frédéric Malle, by a perfumer as experienced as Pierre Bourdon, should be up to the mark. The name is key too. But it doesn’t excite me enough to buy it. I imagined a French lover smelling different: perhaps more classic, with Provencal lavender, and definitely more sensual, a hymn to the pleasures of life and the strong emotions of a night of passion. I would have liked a floral heart to mitigate the rigidity and austerity of French Lover, which comes across as very herbaceous and fresh, but in a somewhat unpleasant way. This bitter scent is complemented by pepper, elevating that spicy note that lasts about 40 minutes before moving to dry, woody patchouli and incense. I respect others, but I imagined another perfume; this one is too cold and distant for me. Under no circumstances would I wear it on a date; I see it as suitable only for business or to convey authority. It’s not for me.
I love spraying this third perfume by Pierre Bourdon, French Lover (formerly Bois d’Orage or ‘Storm Wood’, a name that suits it much better). For me, it is a perfect aromatic harmony. Galbanum, violet leaf, pepper, and angelica are such natural complements to the vetiver that they all shine together as a single bitter green aroma, slightly sweet but with an earthy touch, which revives you in a single blow. This is pure tonic perfumery: as stimulating as that first breath of cold air in the mountain at dawn. The incense and iris root soften and round off its initial edge, and the musk of the dry down is subtle and sexy. Everything feels natural from start to finish; it does not need those intensely synthetic woody ambers to remain unperturbed and constant all day. It is masculine, rugged, and sensual. Exactly my thing!
What a treat! Sprinkling the third Pierre Bourdon perfume in my collection, French Lover (formerly Bois d’Orage, a name that suits it much better). For me, it has a perfect aromatic harmony. Galbanum, violet leaf, pepper, and angelica are natural complements to the vetiver that shine together as a bitter green aroma, slightly sweet but earthy, which refreshes you all of a sudden. It’s pure tonic perfumery: as stimulating as that first breath of cold air on a mountain at dawn. Incense and lily root soften its initial edge, and the dry-down musk is subtle and sexy. Everything feels natural from start to finish; it doesn’t need those synthetic woody ambers to stay consistent. It’s masculine, rugged, and sensual. Exactly my kind of thing!
In the end, after three uses, I was won over. The opening is herbal, green, and aromatic with a bitter touch that gives it character. The spices add a spicy kick that saves it from being just a flat green scent. Then the intensity drops thanks to woods and a faint touch of incense, while the musk softens the dry-down without being overwhelming. If it lasted longer, that initial bitter herbal phase would cost me a world; in fact, I wouldn’t want it. As an olfactory experience, it’s unique and distinctive—I love it—but it’s very masculine, suited for business, nothing for dates or informal settings. Moderate performance, price in line with the brand. I loved trying it, but I wouldn’t buy it.