Van Cleef & Arpels – Midnight In Paris: Overview, Smell, Notes & More!

Midnight in Paris EDT is an amber-oriental fragrance for men – a quality fragrance in an equally beautiful bottle.

It’s a sophisticated perfume that smells like confidence and mystery, nothing sharp and biting. 

It has a uniquely complex accord for a men’s perfume, with a floral bouquet at the center.

The intense lily note is almost too feminine and sweet, but the addition of bergamot, tonka, and smoke gives it a manly freshness and leathery touch.

Midnight In Paris: Overview

• Brand: Van Cleef & Arpels
• Fragrance: Midnight in Paris
• Release: September 2010
• Gender: Men
• Perfumer: Olivier Polge, Domitille Michalon Bertier

The new masculine fragrance, Midnight in Paris, is composed by master perfumers, Olivier Polge and Domitille Bertier.

It’s the new fragrance addition to the design house’s fairy-tale line.

Currently, there are two editions of the Haute Parfumerie line: MiP and the Feerie.

Both are under the license of Inter Perfumes, among other prestige perfumes from luxury design houses. 

Fragrance Notes

• Top Notes: Leather, Bergamot, Rosemary, Amalfi Lemon, Holly
• Heart Notes: Lily of the Valley, Tea, Styrax
• Base Notes: Incense, Tonka Beans, Almond, Amber, Benzoin

MiP comes with subtle, fresh citrusy notes characterized by its lemon and bergamot ingredients.

Then the details of tonka and smoke formulate to stay on the skin for a long time. 

Overall, the ingredients blend well to highlight aromatic, green, and balsamic notes that ultimately ignite a seductive, calming, and warm sensation. 

What Does Midnight In Paris Smell Like?

Midnight in Paris smells like something sweet and dark; it has a balance that gives it a manly, gorgeous, and elegant aroma to enjoy through the night.

The fragrance hits the nose with solid leather, quickly followed by floral notes where you can find accentuated lily mixed with luminous lemon.

Then, MiP’s dark aura arises from the tonka bean base, while the incense adds a little mystery. 

Although it’s a leather-based item, the leathery aroma goes away quickly, turns vanillic, and leaves a soft baby powder aroma. 

Ultimately, it’s one of those light, mysterious fragrances that are very easy to like. 

How Long Does Midnight In Paris Last For?

MiP has pretty good longevity, with the aroma clinging to the skin for at least 10 hours.

It has a robust projection that can last five hours or so, then it hangs closer to the body throughout the night and sometimes even to the next day. 

When Should You Wear It?

Midnight in Paris is a sensual, warm, and addictive aroma for autumn and winter use.

It has a lovely scent perfect for cold nights when you want to relax and smell pleasing at the same time. 

Although it is suited for year-round use, the scent may be too warm for the high summer heat.

Perhaps on cooler summer nights, you’ll get better use out of this cologne. 

Where Should You Wear It?

It has a mysterious note and lasting power, ending in a smooth, well-blended composition.

It’s the perfect scent to use for special occasions and more romantic settings like a dinner out under the stars.

Use it anywhere you’d like to get many compliments or when you’d like to impress someone, like on a dinner date.

The powdery vibe also makes the scent smoother, so it’s suitable for work or home settings. 

Presentation and Value For Money

There are two things to love about MiP: the product and the bottle.

Midnight in Paris has one of the most gorgeous bottles out there.

It’s a dark blue glass flacon, giving you the illusion of a starry sky. 

The presentation is top-notch and would look impressive in any collection.

Unfortunately, nowadays, you can only purchase a MiP bottle at an online store for three to four times its original price. 

The Bottom Line

Based on the combination of notes, Midnight in Paris is an Oriental olfactory fragrance.

Its scent journey unfurls in the aromatic and citrus opening notes that break into a floral heart and leave a deep, mysterious impression. 

Perfumes that Smell Like Midnight In Paris

Six years after its release, the once much-loved product has now been discontinued, despite its good reviews.

However, these perfumes have the same smell and mood as MiP, if you don’t want to spend an astronomical price on the original bottle.

1. Bvlgari Black

This amber-woody bouquet for men and women is heavier in smoke and leather than the MiP bottle during its first hours.

However, the perfumes share a similar drydown.

Its delicate powdery aroma makes its initial notes less overbearing. 

2. Dior Homme for Men

For those who like MiP’s smokey, floral feel, the Dior Homme Eau de Parfum has the same vibe.

Though instead of Midnight’s lily notes, Homme parfum has the Tuscan iris. 

3. Armani Code

Ideally, MiP is best suited for autumn and winter weather.

The Giorgio Armani Code carries the same wooded seduction scent more suitable for use during the summer months. 

Both have the irresistibility of bergamot and tonka, but one is fresher than the other for warmer weather use. 

4. Prada Luna Rossa Black 

If there’s no MiP on the shelf, grab a Luna Rossa Black EDP from Prada and get that same oriental woody aroma with an air of mystery.

The blend of tonka bean and bergamot is still there, but with the addition of must and patchouli instead of smokey notes. 

It would be an expensive buy, yet considerably cheaper than the now overpriced MiP.