Hello and welcome! Please understand that this website is not affiliated with Balmain in any way, it is only a reference page for collectors and those who have enjoyed the classic fragrances of days gone by.

The main objective of this website is to chronicle the history of the Balmain fragrances and showcase the bottles and advertising used throughout the years.

However, one of the other goals of this website is to show the present owners of the Balmain perfume company how much we miss the discontinued classics and hopefully, if they see that there is enough interest and demand, they will bring back these fragrances!

Please leave a comment below (for example: of why you liked the fragrance, describe the scent, time period or age you wore it, who gave it to you or what occasion, any specific memories, what it reminded you of, maybe a relative wore it, or you remembered seeing the bottle on their vanity table), who knows, perhaps someone from the current Balmain brand might see it.

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Monsieur Balmain by Balmain c1961

Monsieur Balmain by Balmain: launched in 1961. This is the previous Balmain fragrance Verveine Citronelle, just rebranded and relaunched as Monsieur Balmain. Created by Germaine Cellier of Roure. Also available in the eau de toilette version: Eau de Monsieur Balmain.


Fragrance Composition:


So what does it smell like? It was classified as a fresh, citrus fougere fragrance for men. An exceptionally sharp, clear citrus note is balanced against a lingering, aromatic undertone of verbena.
  • Top notes: lavender, orange, citronella, mint, lemon, bergamot, verbena and petitgrain
  • Middle notes:  rose, pepper, ginger, nutmeg and rosemary
  • Base notes: oakmoss, sandalwood, vetiver, sage, amber and musk


Eau de Monsieur de Balmain was also launched in 1964. It is classified as a citrus aromatic fragrance for men. It begins with a fresh citrusy top, followed by a fresh floral heart, resting on a slightly powdery base.


  • Top notes:  green note, lemon, bergamot, basil, lavender, petitgrain
  • Middle notes: jasmine, lily of the valley, cedar, rose
  • Base notes: tonka bean, amber,  musk


Fate of the Fragrance:


Monsieur Balmain was reformulated and relaunched in 1983.

So what does the reformulation smell like?
  • Top notes: mint, bergamot, lemon and bitter orange
  • Middle notes: rosemary, ginger, pepper, caraway, rose, nutmeg, thyme, moss and sandalwood
  • Base notes: musk, amber, clary sage, vetiver and sandalwood

Reformulated, repackaged and relaunched in 1990.


From Balmain:
"Monsieur Balmain embodies all the subtle male elegance in a fresh fragrance, memorable and timeless. From the beginning, sublimated by the citrus and fresh spices, the Verbena emerges, signing the perfume with its fusing energy. The magnetic heart contributes to play with our senses, revealing audacious aromatic, green and crunchy tones. As for the drydown, it owes its unforgettable signature to the woody vibrations of the Cedarwood and to the intensity of the musky ambery notes."

So what does the second reformulation smell like? It was classified as a citrus fougere fragrance for men.
  • Top notes: mint, lemon, verbena and bergamot
  • Middle notes: rosemary, pepper, ginger and cumin
  • Base notes: musk, amber, clary sage and vetiver, cedar






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