Midnight in Paris

Today marks the end of my trip through 14 doses of immunochemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma. This moment feels monumental, and I felt it deserved nothing less than the heaviest artillery in my collection — the fragrance I reserve only for the rarest, most meaningful occasions, sometimes many years apart: Van Cleef & Arpels Midnight in Paris. Spraying it today was way more than a daily act of wearing a scent; it was a quiet celebration of making it through a journey I never expected to face. I won't bore anyone with a total breakdown of the scent, like I usually do with extremely rare, weird Middle Eastern fragrances to assist others with blind-buys. People have done that a hundred times before me, and no description can convince anyone to consider a discontinued nostalgic masterpiece. Midnight in Paris is a multifaceted experience, transitioning from citrusy freshness to smoky suede. There's an elusive, fleeting hint of burning tires or asphalt that appears at random, a theme I've come to appreciate in other perfumes as well — thanks in large part to this and Bvlgari Black. The bottle, with its constellation design, is absolute perfection — an ideal match for the fragrance itself. This is the most amazing, breathtaking fragrance I have ever tried, period. It brings back memories from high school when I stumbled upon it for mere pennies, and from that day forward, it became my signature scent forever. It opens a nostalgic portal to the past — and let's just say, the ladies couldn't resist it. When I was younger, I went through countless bottles of this and the EdP version over the years, but the last one feels special. I remember getting my final bottle from a reseller who unknowingly gave me a cheap gift; he didn't seem to realize what kind of liquid riches he was selling. I'm praying for Middle Eastern clone houses to re-release this as a 1:1 copy, as the other similar ones I know of are decent reprints but don't fill the void. Check my reviews (Ctrl+F 'midnight') in case you want to find something 60-70% similar. Yet, they always tend to miss the fresh green-citrusy note. Bottles of Midnight in Paris from resellers are now up to 10-20 times more expensive than their original price. I'll stick with my remaining bottle from 2014. At my current pace of use, it will likely remain my treasure for life. I probably wouldn't have started my perfume collection if it hadn't been for Midnight in Paris. As I wear it today, it feels like the perfect companion for this new chapter. It reminds me to savor life's fleeting and irreplaceable moments, much like the fragrance itself. Its rarity makes it all the more fitting for celebrating milestones that can never be repeated. Adorning myself with it today wasn't just about indulging in nostalgia — it was about honoring the strength it took to get here. EDIT: The first line of care didn't work out. At least it gave me another reason to reach for this glorious thing — I sprayed it again after leaving the hospital following a three-week stay for ASCT. Even through setbacks, small moments still count. A few months later, I'm still in remission. Shoutout to the pioneers of PD-1 and nivolumab. Opening note: 10 Sillage/Projection: 8+ Drydown: 10 Longevity: 10 Blend/Composition: 10+ Versatility: 9 Uniqueness: 10 Value for money: I wish Bottle design/Aesthetics: 10 Overall experience: 10 Blind-buy rating: not anymore

Stardust Over Place Vendome (Domitille Michalon Bertier & Olivier Polge, 2010) Scentrack: Grace Jones – La Vie En Rose Although Midnight in Paris was not novel nor the best fragrance ever, it still created a strong cult following. In fact, it was very familiar, but somehow pushed all the right buttons. Clean and warm at the same time. Romantic like Paris. Fragile like love. Packed in a beautiful bottle with the star constellation above Place Vendome. The composition starts with very shy bergamot combined with a strong herbal aspect resulting in an Earl Grey accord combined with a touch of rosemary. Immediately, rubber and amber accords surround the tea and propel the fragrance toward powdery and oriental territories. A very nice soft suede accord warms up the composition. The monotony of oriental and powdery notes is successfully disrupted by the pink floral touch of lily of the valley – a trick earlier deployed by Olivier Polge in Kenzo Power (2008). In my opinion, it is hard to distinct heart notes from the base ones. Suede, almonds, sweet benzoin, soft incense, resins, Tonka bean and amber are amalgamated in a big, oriental saga that lasts on my skin for ages. Midnight in Paris shares many similarities with several Annick Menardo’s successful releases like Bvlgari Black, Lolita Lempicka Au Masculin or Yves Saint Laurent Body Kouros. While Bvlgari Black, a nominally unisex creation, is a contemporary ascetic creation, Midnight in Paris, marketed for men, is lavishly expanded toward both genders. Unfortunately, both fragrances are discontinued, but the idea lives on in Daniela Andrier’s Prada Luna Rossa Black. Still, it will be nice to see these late legends on the marker again to satisfy my fondness for romantic leathery, powdery orientals. Rating 8.5/10 Scentimentalwords

[1275] Midnight in Paris is a much-lauded, much-missed scent that I have wanted to try for a long time, given its reputation as a unique and clever leather composition. I obtained a small decant (I would love to own the beautiful bottle, but the juice is usually the most important thing for me). It is a leather scent, surprisingly sweet and balsamic. I sprayed Bvlgari Black, to which this is often compared, on my other wrist for comparison. Black is my preference - its smoky, burnt rubber accord sets it apart, but MIP is a great leather scent in its own right. It more closely resembles Prada Luna Rossa Black in my opinion, another decent modern scent, but MIP came first. Van Cleef & Arpels is underrated as a fragrance house in my opinion, and this is a case in point. MIP is leathery from initial spray, smooth and balsamic. There is no birch tar here, or similar woody dryness. There is a light herbal undertone, adding freshness up top and complementing the leather accord nicely. The tonka bean follows, adding soft sweetness to the leather accord, amping up the balsamic quality of this scent. The almond note follows, its sweet nuttiness melding nicely with the tonka while adding interest to the leather. MIP becomes a balsamic amber scent as it progresses, the leather becoming a whisper in the background. It is a seamless progression, smooth and satisfying. It becomes a sweetly musky skin scent as it fades. Sillage and longevity are moderate. Despite its marketing, it is perfectly unisex, and despite its name, it is daytime appropriate, best worn in autumn/winter. A smooth, balsamic scent with a leather backbone, MIP is deeply satisfying throughout. A well-composed, creative scent that manages to be wearable, it is another discontinued gem. Subtle brilliance. 4.5/5.

I stepped off the plane at de Gualle, picked up my leather duffel, glanced through the windows grimy with international dust and I saw a rail thin man in an ill fitting suit jacket, smoking intently, watching me from the taxi stand. I went to get in what I thought was a taxi. Suddenly the thin man pushed in behind me, slamming the door before I could speak. The driver gunned it onto the motorway and the smell of airplane fuel whistled through the windows. With the cigarette dangling from his mouth, the thin man produced a butcher paper package, weighty, wrapped in twine. He then put it in my hands, motioning for me to open it. As I pulled at the twine I began to notice a humming sound that seemed to be coming from everywhere, the voices on the radio turned into chiming drones and I looked up, trying to focus. I looked back at the package, which had come open and saw a irregular stone with a slice on it that looked surgical. As I lifted it to look at it, it came to me that I was looking not a flat surface, but an opening into a space. Like looking out of a window at night, just deep, inky black, filled with glittering lights. I put my face into the stone and was pulled through, or maybe I fell... birthed into a cosmic dance floor full of jazz and clinking glasses. I sat up, realized that I had forgotten my duffel and wondered if there was a lost and found.

I wore this a lot when it was released. I stopped wearing it when I realised I only had 1-2 wearings remaining in my bottle. For some reason I never got a new bottle. Anyway, I've just dug out my bottle after about 5 years; over time I built this up in my head as one of the best fragrances that I'd ever smelt....after all, it's the first fragrance I'd worn that received a completely unsolicited compliment from a total stranger that I was sat next to on a train. Smelling it again today, I have to say, nostalgia played a huge part in why I thought it was so great. To be totally honest, it's a lovely scent, but it's not as great as I remember it to be. I'd happily own a full bottle of this at the price I paid at the time which was around £20 but given that the prices have tripled, this is absolutely not worth it anymore - not even close. And that brings me on to my next point: I'm currently wearing MiP on one arm and Prada Luna Rossa Black on the other; of course they aren't the same, but smelling them side-by-side, it's like Prada took the MiP DNA and added a touch of amber and pepper to it to give it more depth. Give Prada LR Black a go - you might find that it satisfies your MiP craving. I'm glad that I didn't shell out ridiculous money for a bottle of MiP based on my memories, because it wouldn't have delivered.

This is a very interesting scent to say the least !!! And a very warranted “Like” but with that said I’m still not sure whether I’m going to purchase another decent of this. MIP opens up very feminine with a blast of powder,leather and tea. At first I thought this was going to be too feminine but in the mid the powder subsided and the tea,leather and styrax come forth making this more aromatic,masculine and fresh. Then once this dries down your left with tea,leather and a smooth Tonka Bean smell that’s very warm,inviting and relaxing. If you like a scent that has a lot of development you will love this ! Now the reason that I’m unsure I will purchase this is that I already have scents that have the same vibe but do it better. Scents that come to mind are Prada Lunna Rossa Sport, Lolita Lempicka Au Masculin and even Cuba Gold. Regardless though, I will for sure enjoy my use of the remaining 10 ML decant I have left of this ! Performance on this great as it lasts 6-8 hours but only has soft projection but leaves a very noticeable scent trail which makes it perfect for work, relaxing at home or even dates if your comfortable with this being slightly feminine. Overall rating —-7.5 our of 10 ! Very unique and interesting scent but when I want a scent that’s unique yet comforting I think I’ll stick with Au Masculin

Best mysterious, arty, value designer fragrance that got discontinued - of all time. Midnight In Paris is an amazingly unique black leather & amber scent that comes across as very mysterious and powdery. It's like a powdery black leather jacket coated in amber smell - that's the most accurate way I can think to capture it. I struggle to find a situation to wear this, and now that it's discontinued I tend to save it and use it very sparingly. The best way I can explain when to wear this is, fittingly, if I were exploring Paris at midnight (a peaceful yet dark and intriguing setting). It can work as a date night scent but I think it's best as a fragrance to be enjoyed by the wearer more than anything else, it's arthouse while being very likeable to a mainstream audience. This was such great value while it was regularly available and the presentation is still up there with some of the best fragrances from expensive niche houses.

I remember when a bottle of stuff (EDT or EDP) used to cost almost nothing. Now you see 'em for upwards of 300 dollars. That's really hysterical. The reason why it's hysterical is because the fragrance really ain't all that. It's... nice. Pleasant. Cozy. Warm. But there's not much else you can say about it. And for the money a bottle is going for now you can snag, say, Tom Ford's "Tuscan Leather" and really get a bang for your buck. Listen, Midnight in Paris is cute but nowhere near worth a couple of hundred bucks a pop! It simply isn't that high a quality a fragrance. IMO the best thing about MIP is the exquisite bottle. If you want the same experience (meaning more or less in the same olfactory family) for a reasonable price, check out Perry Ellis' "M"- one of the best cheapie-but-goodies out there. And of course Bvlgury Black, which is an awesome quality scent and also reasonably priced.

You couldn't pay me for my bottle of midnight in Paris. This scent for some reason directly triggers flashbacks of when I last wore it. I was joining the military in March (yeah I was young and didn't know the seasons of scent) of 2017, and went through a few days of processing to be sent out to training. I wore this fragrance for those few days. It was the last time for 4 months I wore any fragrance. When I got out of training I went home to collect all my cologne and this one brought me back to the afternoon in the MEPS center and the evening in the hotel. It still does even to this day! It makes me feel deja Vu EVERYTIME. I refuse to wear it for a few reasons: 1- It's very expensive now (I bought it for $19.99). 2- The flashbacks are so intense it's actually quite frightening. Wearing it only makes my mind go directly to March of 2017. 3-I prefer to keep it as a memory.

I might be the last person on fragrantica who tested it) But not the last one, who will love it and "backup" it) Such notes impossible to spoil in fact, all mellow, balsamic, powdery, sweet-incensy, it whispers to your ear: "close your eyes, relax, have a glass of something, enjoy the moment of the night" If it wouldn't be constant raining activity in Scotland for last two months, - I would definitely moved my garden chair in the very middle and would organize my own star-gazing session, along with MIP "Two things," the wise man said, "fill me with awe: The starry heavens and the moral law." Nay, add another wonder to thy roll, -- The living marvel of the human soul! Born in the dust and cradled in the dark, It feels the fire of an immortal spark, And learns to read, with patient, searching eyes, The splendid secret of the unconscious skies. Henry Van Dyke

I bought this frag (EDP) once two years ago and I did liked it. I am tired of trying to get another bottle in my usual suppliers (I never buy anything in Ebay or Amazon). Whenever they stock this fragrance (always in small quantities), the stock last for a couple of hours only. We may conclude 2 things: Either this frag is really fantastic and the entire world is buying it, or Van Cleef & Arpels are playing with the consumers and trying to grow the hype with this frag. To my best knowledge it is not discontinued. As far as I am concerned, I already gave up. It's a lot easier to buy Bvlgary Black. It's a fantastic unisex fragrance, always in stock, and really similar to Midnight in Paris... and cheaper as well. The two frags are really similar.

I'd seriously like to know the rationale for discontinuation. You can find bottles of other discontinued scents 6-7 years after for almost nothing (or at least not for much more than they were sold for prior to DC), which makes the lack of interest in them an easily understandable explanation for the decision to stop making it. But when stocks are depleted within 4-5 months of confirmation of discontinuation, perhaps it's time to re-visit that decision. Generally speaking, so many people would never stock up on a newly discontinued scent because so few are interested in wearing it. Looking at the prices on eBay, I think the large interest in this scent is more than proven. Bring... it... back... please.

One of the best winter/ fall scents. For date night with a strong statement. Mysterious and alluring. Luckily I was traveling on business trip, during the evening I went to the local mall, looking to spend some time to find gift for my significant other. Between shops I crossed a perfume center and the set up of it got my attention. Went inside sample several colognes then. I saw it. I knew it was selling on hight prices on the net. So with all respect and delicate question I asked how much. The salesman replied $55 for the 125 M. Is it your final price. He said.$50 is my final price. So I bought among others. What a great success. It's legendary one.

It's definitely a cooler night, Fall, or winter scent. However, I've worn it a few times now on unseasonably cool days, and it's absolutely fantastic. When I first tried it, in the middle of the summer heat, I wasn't very impressed, but my opinion has completely changed, and I've picked up backup bottles. Certainly not a very masculine scent, but very pleasant. I've had several friends and family literally cuddle my arms with their faces because they like this so much. I wouldn't call the opening very harsh, nor is the 'rubber' smell very prominent at all. Longevity is very good. I'm able to smell this on me well beyond my work day.

Even if this is the worst fragrance in history, I'll still have it because of the bottle design. It's actually a very decent fragrance that both men and women can enjoy. I can detect leather in a high dose with Almond and Tonka. There is also benzoin, incense Amber, and some Tea notes. It's discontinued and prices are skyrocketing so avoid and buy the cheaper alternative Bvlgari black or the new Prada Luna Rossa Black. I don't blend fragrances much, but Midnight in Paris blends quite well with many leather and iris based fragrances. By the way, the bottle represents Paris skyline at night, gorgeous stuff.

Good things come to an end and leave memories to cherish for... Wearing MIP is like that and the reason I say is for the dry down. Simply beautiful. I bought my first bottle in 2010 from Paris, bought again when ran out. I have two at the moment - edt and edp, one each. It never disappoints. I rock it when days are shorter... when a light woolen makes it cozy... when it feels good to wander around enjoying the silhoutte over aging sun. My experience with MIP: 1. Uniqueness - 3/5 2. Projection - 3/5 : it's moderate 3. Sillage - 3/5 4. Longevity - 4/5 : a good 8 hours on me Love makes life live... enjoy.

Just a remark on below review by PaperRouteP This is all but a nice night scent/going to bed. For sure it ain't nice, for it is a Gem, or Masterpiece. And I never heard anyone before who uses this before going to bed. In fact, I still remember one reviewer here on FB, must be somewhere before 2014, who said about this fragrance: "I work in a Casino as a croupier and on regular base people, both male and female, compliment me and ask what I am wearing." But hey, to each his own. I just wished someone here in my house didn't break the spray top. My 125 ML is now half full but leaking a bit.

Incredible! Smells mysterious, nocturnal, intimate, and confident. Some are complaining about the high price but I think it's worth $200 all day long. It's discontinued so when wearing this you will absolutely know that nobody else will smell like you. I would pay that again if I needed another bottle. This is such a well blended and smooth composition. I think this would be a perfect scent for more formal romantic settings, a nice dinner outside under the autumn night would fit perfectly. If you are hesitating to purchase - just buy it already! They aren't making any more of it :)

I adore this fragrance! It's totally unisex and simply perfect for year-round use, though most suited for fall/winter. Not only is it a beautiful blend of amber, floral, tea, and tonka bean notes, it surprisingly has one of the best leather notes you can hope to find. The bottle design is also a masterpiece! Surely one of the best for a fragrance. Sadly MiP has been discontinued, but for me after 4 years of use it remains a great gem amongst many overhyped colognes. Longevity:9/10 Projection:7/10 Scent:9/10 Versatility:10/10 Complexity:9/10 Overall: 9/10

I dont know who was talking about rubber smell of leather in this fragrance, but thats not true. I bought it today in a small parfume shop here in Montenego.. 30ml bottle 40€ 😂. You can blind buy it easily.. Its a very sophisticated parfume and imo this is more suitable for a guy who wants to make his girl feel very warm and seduced. ;) My nose smells citrus, tonka, leather and incense. But overal its YSL La Nuit de L’homme in a leather jacket. Scent: 10 Longevity: Still testing Sillage: Still testing Edit: Longevity 10+ hours Sillage: moderate