Our take
What does Midnight in Paris smell like?
Van Cleef & Arpels released Midnight in Paris in 2010, a men's Eau de Toilette by Olivier Polge and Domitille Bertier. The start is clear and brisk. Bergamot, lemon and rosemary meet a green tea with a slightly bitter edge. That phase is short. A smoky black tea steps in, close to lapsang souchong, and it is the most interesting part of the perfume. The lily of the valley on the note list barely registers. Styrax does more work and thickens the heart with resin. Leather comes next, smooth and polished rather than horsey, and some reviewers struggle to find it at all. The base tilts firmly toward tonka and benzoin. Two hours in, that soft sweetness is mostly what is left on skin. It wears just as well on women. Several critics report it as discontinued, though the house has not confirmed it.
When to wear it
Evenings in autumn and winter, or the office if you stop at two sprays. Aim for the chest rather than the neck.
It belongs to the Oriental / Amber, Woody family. Midnight in Paris is one of 23 creations by Van Cleef & Arpels in our encyclopedia.
