Rive Gauche pour Homme

YSL Rive Gauche Pour Homme is popularly regarded as maybe Best of Genre ("barbershop" Aromatic Fougere). I can understand that, and I think it is very good. Iconic. It seems to replicate an amalgamation of actual products a barber would use. It even has, by name, in this Fragrantica note list, the very trilogy of notes that define the classic Fougere - lavender, coumarin, oakmoss. A few reviews have cited star anise as the "star of the show". I've read about the licorice facet of star anise but had never smelled it, so I bought some at my local grocery store. Total licorice, not a mere facet. And now I smell that star anise in Rive Gauche Pour Homme, but its blended. It's an important aromatic contribution to RGPH but I would say the star of the show, like most fougeres, is lavender. But the actual suite of accords that hit the nose lands its smell somewhere between other typical "barbershop" Aromatic Fougeres and the classic Oriental Spicy Old Spice! A "barbershop" fragrance does not have to be a Fougere, although most are. Some so designated are Spicy Orientals, like Old Spice, and still others may be closer to a citrus Aromatic. Both Rive Gauche Pour Homme and classic Old Spice (and its stronger analogue Paul Sebastian Fine Cologne) are powdery, spicy (both have anise, etc), and give off that slightly soapy barbershop vibe. "Powdery" probably should be a listed accord but isn't. It should be towards the bottom but above "patchouli" in my opinion. Rive Gauche Pour Homme veers closer to other typical barbershop fougeres, like Azzaro Pour Homme, but it does steer somewhat in the direction of Old Spice. I would even venture to say that Rive Gauche Pour Homme veers closer to classic Old Spice than it does to my favorite barbershop Aromatic Fougere, Tom Ford Beau de Jour! But all in all I think Rive Gauche Pour Homme is a fantastic, iconic barbershop Fougere. Also, as others here report, Dua's clone of RGPH, called River Fougere, is fantastic. Very close to the original, but stronger in performance. And I have just noticed my Fragram photo included above in the photos section. Thing is, at the time of that photo it included Dua River Fougere, not the actual Rive Gauche Pour Homme. I have since replaced the Dua clone in my Barbershop Fougere collection with the older can version of RGPH.

Rive Gauche represents everything that you can ask a court classic masculine fragrance that is characterized by the smell of soap perfect barbershop properly adjusted. It is one of the largest within the male perfumery, considered one of the best aromatic ferns that were never made, pure and classic lines as the David of Michelangelo. Undoubtedly represents an intelligent, successful man who appreciates the high quality of what used even if they are subtle differences: Costumes French pantsuit perfectly tailored, wear white shirts of the finest Egyptian cotton, buy Italian silk ties and lace-up shoes oxford with Prussian seams, makes daily underwear spun Scottish point is very well groomed and shaves all day to be impeccable. And even represent that kind of man, I believe that at a time without being fought is a very versatile fragrance that can put up with denim and T-shirt because what matters is the attitude to look. Rive Gauche is very French, stands out as a fragrance of clean lines, almost clear by the effect of bergamot, anise and lavender. Debugged and apparent simplicity draws a slender male silhouette by soft spices and excellent floral notes of geranium and followed the unmistakable and powerful aroma of vetiver, precious and complex trident notes typical fern lavender, patchouli and oak moss joining the whole structure, balance close to perfection and to top that background smell of soap barbershop high quality feels fine and elegant, as fresh from a cosmetics boutique in Place Vendome in Paris. In my skin behavior Rive Gauche is perfect, sorry clearly lasting more than 6 hours skin awesome thing to be an aromatic fern. Regarding the projection and although it is not quite excellent, is quite correct, I love it because I use it only during the day, also not harasses the aroma emanating pulse, ie, when it seems that will disappear back again, it is like the beating of a heart. Rive Gauche occupies an important pillar in my collection and I am very sorry that is already out of print. Rating: 9

"Rive Gauche" or "The Left Bank" referring to the southern bank of the Seine river in Paris. I don't know the exact inspiration behind that but I heard it is from the artists on that side of the river. This fragrance was one of the best pieces of art done when Tom Ford was the creative director at YSL.Also done by whom I consider a legendary nose who made and contributed in great classics like "M7" "Opium pour homme" "L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme" ..none other than Jacques Cavallier. Now ignoring the great presentation and diving directly into the juice: This can trick you at first by thinking it is just a classic barbershop fragrance that although very beautiful it might not have any development but you can't be more wrong. This opens up by a great well blended barbershop smell that is reminiscent of calssic shaving creams but once the opening settles down the florals and spices start to unfold until it drydowns after hours to clean manly musky accords. I think this has real Oakmoss extract (AS it is mentioned on the ingredients section on the box) free of the limitations of IFRA regarding the amount as this was designed and made before those stupid regulations became into action.I also agree with the reviewer guerlainfreak that although this has great performance it won't shine on you without applying liberally. Performance wise it is great on all fronts you won't have any problems. Sadly it is hard to find it in the original presentation right now without paying big numbers. It was relaunched with two diferent packagings that I didn't smell until the date of this review. IMHO this is the best barbershop fragrance and one of the best aromatic fougeres ever made untlil now. Although not very old but it can act as a memory time maschine to good old days of Gentlemen Dads.

Barbershop and Shaving Cream...in one terrific fragrance! I have been wearing Rive Gauche and Rive Gauche La Collection since blind buying them a few years ago. I enjoy wearing them to the office and find this scent to be perfect for a polished gentleman. However, it is also quite a versatile scent in that it's very lovable (you won't offend anyone) and appropriate for most settings. Offhand, I will admit that Rive Gauche is not the most "exciting" bad-boy fragrance out there. However, even the bad-boys know not to mess with the gentleman wearing this scent or they'll receive the biggest ass-kicking of their lives. If a Kingsman is issued a fragrance when picking up his bespoke suit and other assorted armaments...well, Rive Gauche would be that scent. I later came across the original Rive Gauche at a mall outlet and, although it wasn't on my radar, I pulled the trigger on a pair of 4.2 ounce bottles since they were a great price. Anyway, I thought Rive Guache Original and La Collection were very similar, but certainly not identical. To me, the original is a bit brighter/greener and projects slightly better. Moreover, La Collection seems to be woodier. Regardless, they both have that clean, fresh, familiar barbershop vibe. Overall, I prefer the original Rive Gauche over La Collection but found them to be very similar. However, if you're a Rive Gauche lover then I certainly understand why you may vehemently prefer the original. Regardless, Rive Gauche performs well on my skin: it lasts 8+ hours and projects average to above-average. Nice! It's a classic 90s style fragrance that it timeless and doesn't smell even one day dated. Just a classy gentleman's fragrance.

The finest of aromatic fougere that ever existed, that name could be fitted into Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, which is now discontinued by Yves Saint Laurent itself. Left us wondering what's actually going on with these houses currently, keep discontinuing the good fragrances and launches a horde of new fragrance that far from memorable, let alone became a masterpiece. Jacques Cavalier created this masterpiece that was launched at 2003, barely a decade it's ended up as a memory - The true Rive Gauche comes in a tin can It's opened with weird notes; mostly anise and bergamot and makes me think like 'The hell. Nothing special' but when the cloves and lavender start to appears and followed by the rest, I start to change my mind 180. Rive Gauche is neither clean or dirty, it's both, and that's what makes Rive Gauche interesting. It's like yin and yang, the two polar that united into a single harmony; I notice there's a bit of sweet and smoky character in Rive Gauche as well, which is form a single symphony - Nothing heavy, it's smooth and charming, doesn't need to scream to make other people know it's presence; stays long and have great projection without getting overwhelming, the key in Rive Gauche is simple, less is more. Personally this fragrance shocked me more than just when I wear it, but also the people reaction towards it. It's barbershop feelings never offend anyone, and they all give good compliments, even those who get offended by something as simple as YSL L'Homme give a compliments! Could it be that this fragrance is impossible to be hated? probably. Either way, he's now vanished and left a golden imprint in history. score : ★★★★★

Rive Gauche Pour Homme... Simply put one of the best fragrances I've ever smelled! Has a shaving cream vibe that made me steer clear of it for years but one day it just clicked and it's now among one of my most admired fragrances. This fragrance has it all! It's spicy, dirty, clean, fresh, serious, free spirited, casual, sexy. I count it amoung the top 5 fragrances I've ever smelled, and want to smell on myself. This fragrance is as close to perfection that you can get! Scent: 10/10 Sillage/Projection: 10/10 Pretty heavy for the first half hour, then stays strong for 3 hours then mellows out but it still very much apparent. 2-3 sprays reccomended Longevity: 10/10 10+ hours Versitility: 9.5/10 Only time I wouldn't wear this is in the hottest days of summer. It's suitable for any occasion, but excels as a work scent. Regarding the reformulation: The La Collection version is pretty true to this one but it takes away some of the creaminess and anise notes in favor of more green notes and woods. There is a sharp quality that I think is the increased ammount of guaiac wood, lavender and geranium. The newer La Collection is a more modern, sharp smelling variation. Overall I felt the La Collection version overpowering in it's sharpness at times where as the original is just superior. The older Tin Can version is more smooth, less synthetic and simply blended better. Bottles of this can (no pun intended) still be had for normal designer pricing, where as in 2013 this could be had for a mere $20-$40! Soon pricing will become ludicrous. Happy I've stocked up! One of the best from Yves Saint Laurent and a Classic.

A Classic, But Not a Myth Rive Gauche Pour Homme in the aluminum can is often spoken about like a lost treasure, something rare, untouchable, and impossible to replicate today. After owning and wearing it for years, I can say this: it’s a very good fragrance, but some of the hype around it is exaggerated. The scent itself is a classic barbershop composition. You get a fresh, aromatic opening with lavender and herbs, followed by a clean, slightly metallic, soapy character that feels sharp and masculine. There’s a crispness to it that gives that “just shaved” effect, and it carries a confident, traditional style. What stands out is its character, it’s more assertive and structured than many modern fragrances. It doesn’t try to be smooth or cozy. Instead, it leans into that classic masculine profile with a slightly edgy, almost industrial feel from the metallic nuances. That said, while it’s undeniably good, it’s not untouchable. Over time, fragrances like this have taken on an almost mythical status, as if nothing today can compare. In reality, there are modern fragrances that deliver a similar or even more refined experience. For me, something like Invasion Barbare offers a more polished and wearable take on the same barbershop idea. It keeps the elegance and freshness but smooths out the rough edges, making it easier to wear in today’s settings. Rive Gauche Pour Homme remains a classic and worth experiencing, but it’s important to separate appreciation from exaggeration. It’s a great fragrance, not a legend beyond comparison. Scent: 8.5/10 Longevity: 8/10 Projection: 7.5/10

Sadly, as my skin basically eats fragrance, this doesn't last on me too well at all. In saying this, it lasts better than I imagined it to. Having now tried / owned most of the YSL Homme renditions of original feminine scents (if they can be called as such), I think there is a very beautiful theme. This is the scent of a man on his own, but without an ounce of sadness for it. He doesn't need a woman, just as the woman who wore the original didn't need a man. They'd get along swimmingly at an office party held in a chilled cocktail bar. The theme doesn't follow in scent, but instead with a personality. Independence. I purchased this today in a chemist for a really good price, a 125mL 2008 bottle. I'd tried it before so didn't feel bad about it. It truly is remarkable. Barbershop is really the only way to describe this. Anise, like in Opium Pour Homme, makes this beautifully masculine. I'd love this on a partner as much as I love it on me. Truly, truly sexy. It reminds me a little of a hairdresser I visited when I was a kid. He had great hair and I think I crushed on him. Great memories of the late 90s, my best friend's dad's fast red car, attractive European men in music videos, trance tracks and all that. The inspiration obviously comes from much earlier, but the close on the milennium seems a truly perfect memory to me. Lavender has long been a favourite of mine. Its totally there, just so well blended that its not exactly a lavender fragrance that someone would pick out as such. A true fougere. A true masterpiece.

(Bottle c. 2004) What happened to YSL? They've given us some of the best perfumes of the last 50 years, though only a handful, and Rive Gauche Pour Homme has to be on that list (as does the original feminine-marketed version, Rive Gauche). This is the patchouli to benchmark all masculine patchoulis. At my bottle's current age, the bergamot has turned a bit vinegary and short-lived, but it is still there and giving you a great big kiss on the face with bitter anise and green rosemary. They give way quite quickly to exquisite lavender, geranium, and touches of clove that are so beautifully blended to their respective natural volumes that it's a damn-near perfect three-part harmony. The bass (base, pun intended) and rhythm section comes from light and powdery patchouli, oakmoss, guaiac and vetiver that sparkle with luminosity and swooning breathability. A hallmark sign of an expertly crafted masterpiece, being that it doesn't immediately dispense with top notes and heart notes to dullard base, is that the base evolves too. As time goes on RGPH's base is getting stronger, more earthy and mossy without losing that luminous and breathable character. Being an EdT of the classic men's fougere cologne variety, I doused myself and my clothes in it, knowing I would not offend or intrude on anyone - at least not for very long - and simply basked in its glory. Though it may smell dated to most noses under 30, it is a without a doubt a modern masterpiece that transcends time and trends. Long live Rive Gauche Pour Homme.

This is the most ideal way for a 30+ professional to smell. Maybe you wear a clean, freshly ironed button up shirt every day and you're in good shape, you brush and floss to keep your teeth looking perfect, you spend a bit extra on shampoo and conditioner and you use the more expensive hair product that you get when you get your $50 haircut. If you're that guy, Rive Gauche is what you want to smell like when you go to the office. It smells rich, but not spoiled because there's a certain blue collar work ethic sort of grit that radiates from this whereas it's cousin Gucci Envy is white collar to it's core. When people talk about fragrances that smell like "expensive shaving cream", this is exactly what they're referring to. Great fragrance, I was very fortunate and able to find a bottle for a pretty reasonable price but would I say that it's worth it? Well, I think you should try River Fougere first and then maybe also get Beau de Jour, Azzaro Pour Homme and Sartorial by Penhaligon's before getting this and if you really just want more of that and you can find this for under 200, then maybe consider getting it from a trusted seller. It's perfect for any time of year, any setting really, and it's just a fragrance that'll help you smell like a man who's got his shit together. Rive Gauche Pour Homme pays his fucking bills in advance if anything, he's responsible, he's going places and he's a keeper. 10/10, all time classic for a reason.

I finally got around to sampling YSL Rive Gauche Pour Homme today, and I'm impressed as I expected. Certainly within the fougere realm, but quite a bit cleaner and less spicy than some of its counterparts (like Chanel Pour Monsieur and YSL Jazz, for example), Rive Gauche lives up to the hype of being an understated gentleman's fragrance that, like the others, emanates maturity and class while not smelling too much of old men, or causing a stink. Certainly the lavender plays in very significantly in Rive Gauche, as with most fougeres, but it's especially front-and-center to the effect of providing that cleanness into the dry down, following a bergamot/rosemary opening. I'm fortunate to not get too much of the star anise at the opening, as I'd be worried that it'd render it a bit too bitter for my liking. And it the dry down is the familiar mix of oakmoss and other woody/earthy notes--in this case, the soft, semi-sweet guaiac wood with the sharper, earthy patchouli. A very impressive blend, and one that performs pretty well on my skin, great on longevity, but a more modest projector, contra the reports of some that get a lot of projection from it. It definitely pales in comparison to YSL Jazz or Chanel Pour Monsieur EDP, but it's still solid. A welcome future addition to my collection, YSL Rive Gauche is yet another gentleman's staple I'm happy to have finally gotten around to trying. 8 out of 10

I remember when I tried Drakkar Noir for the first time and fell in love with that fougere/barbershop scent, I thought this is it, this is my scent... But boy I was wrong, this is whole another world, another level... Rive Gauche is like Lindt among chocolates, maybe there is better, but everyone knows Lindt's quality and amazing taste. Barbershop fragrances may not be a hit today and something that is considered sexy, but as I said, this is a completely different story, this was not old fashioned in 2003 when it came out, nor in 2013, nor is it today in 2024, and it won't be in 10 years., this perfume is so well made that it will be relevant now and forever. The only problem is that it is discontinued, it is really a tragedy and the person who decided to do it should be sent to prison, because it is criminal to remove such a fragrance from production. Unfortunately, it is very expensive to get, but if you love a perfume so much, then that love has no price, I always thought that I would pay max 100 usd for a perfume, but everything changed because of Rive Gauche.. That's love, and love has no price :) P.S. I've said everything except how it smells, if it has to be described simply then the most expensive and the most beautiful shaving foam you can imagine :) Masterpiece 10/10! 💯

I love this. It holds a truly special place for me because it's the first fragrance lovers fragrance I bought. I wanted "barber shop", and it's what came highly, highly recommended at the time. Now, here's what I know after having it many years now. It's still awesome and special to me, but I've learned some things about this fragrance. Honestly and Truly, it smells a lot, a whole lot, like Brut. It's not Brut, it's better, higher quality juice. It's Brut with garnish. It's crisper, more refined. The notes are a bit more distinguished and its graceful, but it's Brut baby. It's still classic to me and should be considered one of the top 5 of all time because it does the fougere better than anything else. It's perfect for jeans, boots, and a T shirt. Some will say suit and tie. Be a badass and rock this in a T shirt and boots and rock it like a hurricane. My family wasn't the most wealthy growing up and some of my cousins had to scrape to give us presents on Christmas, and I consistently got a bottle of Brut. When sports started in Jr. High and I had to shower after gym, yes, yes, I was just like all the other guys who over-applied his Brut. It's classic and nostalgic, Rive Gauche. If you ever were connected to Brut in any way, this is your nostalgic adult made way to re-connect.

One of the best barbershop scents ever made. Released in 2003 under Tom Ford’s creative direction at YSL, Rive Gauche Pour Homme was a love letter to the clean-shaven, fougère masculinity of the past. It channels the 1970s original’s spirit but reimagines it for the modern guy. Jacques Cavallier (also behind Opium PH and M7) pulls off that blend of classic and contemporary with ease: it’s nostalgic without being stuck in time. The opening is pure barbershop bliss—bergamot, rosemary, and star anise with a silky lavender heart and cool clove that nods to Old Spice, but with more polish and restraint. The drydown is fougère DNA done right: vetiver, patchouli, guaiac wood, and just enough moss and tonka to round it off without weighing it down. It’s clean, powdery, aromatic—and yes, it really does smell like the best shave of your life, all day long. This was one of the last great mainstream fougères before the style got pushed out to niche and wet-shaving circles. Penhaligon’s Sartorial tries, but this still reigns supreme in my book. Discontinued, of course—but the original metal can version is worth the hunt. If you’re into classic grooming scents that wear with tailored confidence, nothing beats this.

Update: I wrote this review in the warm weather, it seemed hollow to me. I thought this is such a fresh/ spicey fragrance it must be meant for the heat, but oh no... This fragrance comes alive in the cold, I don't know why, but when you want something classy, casual and super fresh/ spicy in cold months, this is great ! I'm wearing RG today and I like it. It's a great office scent, unique spicy fresh opening. I sprayed liberally today and found the drydown is one of the best I have experienced. The opening seems shallow all spicy top notes for an hour or two, then they diminish, and come into balance with the woody base notes and it becomes somewhat a substantial fragrance in the mid- drydown. One thing I have noticed of the great perfumer Jaque Cavallier, is that he masterfully designs his fragrances to have a unique and substantial drydown, only with his fragrance designs I have noticed the end stage drydowns are often better than the top- mid impression. I enjoy fine fragrances for myself, but if I'm going to be at the office or at church this is a pleasant safe fresh fragrance to wear around people. I found it is much better if you spray in on heavy. Rating: 8.75/10 God bless you. ( John 3:16 )

Now this one is just such a joy to wear.... There are few fragrances for men which can impart such wonderful confidence and put a 'spring in your step' in just the way of YSL Rive Gauche Pour Homme. For a Winter work setting, this does precisely that and I can only compare it to one of my other Winter work cycle fragrances, Dunhill Edition, for doing just that. Moreover, Rive Gauche gives an altogether cleaner vibe that brightens up the darkest of days without resorting to overly obvious note combinations. The star anise and lavendar notes here are just stunning and a real pleasure to experience. Yes, Rive Gauche feels like a 'barbershop fragrance'. But for those of us who are keen DE shavers - cream, brush, the works - this is just perfect. And no, you won't smell like a million bucks with this, but you will smell like someone who wants to get on with the work that needs to be done. YSL Rive Gauche Pour Homme is outstanding. It is no exaggeration to say that this is a fragrance for a man to live up to when he wears it.... Thank you, Jacques Cavallier, for this, the last installment of your great trinity of YSL fragrances for men.

@delancy "I can sense a lot of self projection and insecurity coming from you. Literally tell me where I said I was “any more of a man” for liking a discontinued fougere anywhere with what I wrote. It’s because I didn’t, you’re self projecting your own insecurities. Stop doing that, it’s not a good look." I can tell you're a tad bit angry for getting called out on being an elitist snob. It's hilarious how you try to hide the fact that you're an elitist by throwing out insults of insecurity when clearly you think you're above the likes of "kids who want to pretend they "like" barbershop fragrances and fougeres." Also, where did I show I am offended of your dislike of BDJ? I could not care less if you prefer a once on Marshal's clearance fragrance, I've never even smelt the damn thing. Hell, it could be even better than BDJ for all I know. Oh, and one more thing to note your hypocrisy. Here's an excerpt from your most recent review. "Perhaps people should confidently wear whatever they want to wear, at whatever age they want to wear it, instead of putting completely pointless "age labels" on perfumed water." - delancy 2025

This transcends being a barbershop fougere. It's very introspective, in a way. I smell something that invokes an enigmatic feeling, a feeling that I only get when I experience a dark, nostalgic yet slightly melancholic dream. Now imagine a scent with those qualities, for a man that's quiet, alone in his thoughts, yet confident and tries to be better each and everyday. The type of masculinity that doesn't shout for its presence to be known, or needs anything to confirm it. This needs to be experienced by anyone who is an enthusiast in this genre, or perfumery in general. Really a shame from YSL. As for the scent profile, I thought it would be more of a 1:1 shaving cream smell that everyone keeps talking about, but I just don't see it. It's more wispy and ghost-like rather than creamy. The way the anise and cloves come off as cold, piercing, mentholated, and slightly metallic really bring about that nature. The coumarin doesn't provide that thick, creamy, sweetness enough for it to be shaving-creamy. This smells like if the color "midnight blue" had a scent. Amazing.

Retro Avant-garde Dream (Jacques Cavallier, 2003) Scentrack: John Cameron – Half Forgotten Dream Rive Gauche is a retro avant-garde barbershop heaven. It was launched in 2003, but to me it appears like it’s launched in 1953. Exceptional Master Cavallier created an exceptional fragrance. Very old school and manly. The scent of reliable person and moral vertical or a good father. Like some good old time residues in the air. Rive Gauche pour Homme opens up with some beautiful classic shaving cream aromatic accord. Just a pinch of lime on star anise and exceptional Mediterranean rosemary – lavender bouquet. Very fresh and clean. The geranium gives that manly old school touch. To its drydown Rive Gauche becomes darker and woodier. The base is perfectly balanced between green vetiver, woody Guiac and earthy, but clean patchouli. Rive Gauche is so classic, yet so modern. It’s absolutely timeless. Quintessentially masculine. Like it’s simply beautiful metallic cylinder bottle. The fragrance of long gone family memories. Is there more to wish from a fragrance? Rating: 9/10

A smooth, powdery, barbershop scent with a shaving cream vibe. Classic, old style fougere; smells pleasant, calming and clean. Lavender, anise, rosemary, patchouli, guaiac and oakmoss stand out to my nose. I'm sure the other notes are in the mix. Less harsh, a little more modern and less grandpa than Azzaro Pour Homme. While they are fairly similar I prefer RG. Smells a bit like Brut aftershave. Sits nicely on my shelf next to Eau Sauvage, Grey Flannel, and Guerlain's Vetiver. "Masculine" and a bit mature but a lady could still wear it. Sillage and longevity are nice. Lasted a solid nine hours before becoming soft. Good for work but not too sexy to me. Any season but the hottest summer days. I think it would be hard for anyone to be offended by this. Sprayer is a little weak but the "throw away chic" (check out Broadbent's review) bottle is cool. It also protects the frag from light. Very nice scent from YSL. Might have a bit of an old man vibe in today's fragrance world but this is a classic that smells good and performs well.