Your search for the best Paco Rabanne cologne for men can stop right here, because we’ve collected all the information you’ll need to make an informed decision about these amazing French colognes.
Founded in 1966 by Paco Rabanne, the namesake French fashion house is the brainchild of a classically trained architect. Renowned for his use of unconventional methods and materials, Rabanne entered into the perfuming world in 1969 with the now legendary perfume Calandre.
In this guide, we’ll be introducing you to our choices for the five best Paco Rabanne colognes available on the market today. Alongside full examinations of their aromatic compositions, we’ll also give you suggestions for when and where to wear each scent.
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5 Best Paco Rabanne Cologne For Men In 2022
Every one of Paco Rabanne’s exquisitely composed colognes could earn a place in your collection, but we’re of the opinion that the five colognes reviewed below offer the best value for their unique attributes.
Paco Rabanne Invictus (Our Top Pick)
Paco Rabanne Invictus is a fresh, sporty, and modern take on perfuming from the more classically-minded producer. If you’re interested in an approachable and easygoing fragrance that still develops well over time, the Invictus just might be convinced that Invictus is the best smelling Paco Rabanne cologne for men.
A refreshing cocktail of citrus zest and oceanic tones gives this cologne an approachable introduction, before quickly giving way to a spicy and floral heart filled with crushed bay leaf and jasmine flowers. To add roundness and stabilization, Invictus uses base notes of marine ambergris, woodsy oakmoss, and aromatic patchouli.
Offering excellent duration and possessing a noticeably strong intensity, Invictus will stay with you for a whole day with just a single application. It shows its best side in spring and summer, but can happily be worn as a dedicated daytime cologne any time of year. If you can only choose one Paco Rabanne cologne, Invictus is an excellent option.
Notes:
- Top notes of sea breeze, grapefruit, and mandarin orange
- Middle notes of bay leaf and jasmine
- Base notes of ambergris, guaiac wood, oakmoss, and patchouli
Best For:
- Spring and summer wear
- Daytime wear
- Everyday wear
1 Million by Paco Rabanne
Introduced as the first scent in a series designed to invoke reflections on elegance and richness, 1 Million debuted in 2008 to immediate fanfare. It’s a fresh and sensual fragrance that seems to sparkle with the same brilliance as the gold container that it’s packaged in.
Blood orange is the key top note that binds all of the 1 Million line of fragrances, giving a signature introduction that’s complemented by grapefruit peel and spearmint. Cinnamon mingles with rose and sweet baking spices in the body of the fragrance, bolstered by a heady base of leather and wood.
Exceptionally intense and almost eternally long-lasting, 1 Million by Paco Rabanne lives up to its higher price tag. A single, small application will last for well over a full day, developing beautifully into its full range of aromatic constituents. All in all, 1 Million is an ideal cologne for cold weather wear, where its spicy tones will evoke the spirit of the season.
Notes:
- Top notes of blood orange, mandarin orange, grapefruit, and mint
- Middle notes of cinnamon, rose, and baking spices
- Base notes of amber, leather, wood, and patchouli
Best For:
- Fall and winter wear
- Nighttime wear
- Special occasions
1 Million Lucky by Paco Rabanne
The most recent in the 1 Million series, 1 Million Lucky was released in 2018 as an unabashedly woody fragrance. It’s backed up by distinct candied and culinary notes, making it a surprisingly approachable cologne given its intensely woody base.
Rich, dark plum plays with grapefruit and bergamot peels on the initial nosing, segueing into a center full of hazelnut and orange blossom-infused honey. Cedar and cashmere wood act as a wonderful foil, and are supported by base notes of amberwood, oakmoss, and grassy vetiver.
Incredibly long-lasting but with only a moderate intensity, 1 Million Lucky is a friendly cologne that seems destined for year-round wear. If you’re looking to upgrade your daily wear, this is the cologne for you.
Notes:
- Top notes of plum, ozone, grapefruit, and bergamot
- Middle notes of hazelnut, honey, cedar, cashmere, jasmine, and orange blossom
- Base notes of amberwood, patchouli, oakmoss, and vetiver
Best For:
- Year-round wear
- All day wear
- Your new signature scent
1 Million Prive by Paco Rabanne
A smokier and more resinous take on the groundbreaking 1 Million scent, 1 Million Prive debuted in 2016 to carve out a niche in the oriental woody fragrance arena. It’s a darker and more sultry addition to the 1 Million line, making it ideal for date nights and holiday parties.
Cinnamon joins the signature blood orange of the 1 Million line in Prive’s opening notes, before transitioning to a warm and rich heart of maduro tobacco and resinous myrrh. Tonka bean and patchouli form a classic base, alternately showing sides of highly fragrant aromatics and lush dessert-like tones.
With excellent longevity and a moderate intensity, 1 Million Prive is another great value cologne from Paco Rabanne. As the darkest of the 1 Million line, it’s best reserved for fall and winter wear; consider adding it to your collection if you need a cologne for wearing on special occasions.
Notes:
- Top notes of cinnamon, blood orange, and mandarin orange
- Middle notes of tobacco and myrrh
- Base notes of tonka bean and patchouli
Best For:
- Fall and winter wear
- Nighttime wear
- Special occasions
Paco Rabanne For Men
A modern reimagining of the 1973 classic, Paco Rabanne for Men is a traditionally styled aromatic fougere cologne that leans heavily into deep and complex ingredients. If today’s fruit-forward colognes have never really caught your attention, consider switching up to a classic like this one for a fresh new take on your daily scent.
Highly herbal rosemary and clary sage are joined by resinous rosewood in the top notes of Paco Rabanne for Men. In the heart, you’ll find a generous helping of subtle geranium flowers braced by lavender and spicy tonka beans. Deep within the base, a medley of oakmoss, honey, and musk provide an intriguing foundation for each of the other scents to show their best sides.
With only a moderate duration and moderate intensity, Paco Rabanne for Men is one of the easiest colognes in the large Rabanne catalog to use for everyday wear. You’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t love the scent of this classic formulation.
Notes:
- Top notes of rosemary, clary sage, and rosewood
- Middle notes of lavender, geranium, and tonka bean
- Base notes of oakmoss, honey, musk, and amber
Best For:
- Year-round wear
- All day wear
Is Paco Rabanne A Good Brand?
From the debut of their first perfume in the 1960s, Paco Rabanne has been collecting awards and commendations for the quality and originality of their fragrances. Combine that with attractive packaging, good value for the price, and a wide catalog of unique scents to choose from, and we think it’s quite clear that Paco Rabanne is a great brand for colognes and perfumes.
What Is The Best Paco Rabanne Cologne?
When we’re deciding on our top pick from each perfumer’s catalog, the choice often comes down to which cologne offers the best value and the most unique composition. Alongside that, we also look for colognes that can be worn year-round, rather than those that are geared only towards warm or cold weather.
In the case of Paco Rabanne, we were spoiled for good options — but Invictus’ approachable aroma and excellent longevity give it the edge over the other colognes in his catalog. It offers a refined combination of classic styling and modern sensibilities, easily making it the best Paco Rabanne cologne for the largest audience.
For more fragrances as great as Paco Rabanne, make sure to check out brands like John Varvatos, Vince Camuto, and Calvin Klein.
Brian Adee
Brian has been fascinated with fragrances since his 8th birthday, when his Dad gifted him a bottle of Acqua di Gio. Since then, he has become a men's grooming & style aficionado who teaches men how to look sharp. Backed by personal experience, Brian's articles are known for his no-holds-barred style where he holds nothing back. You will get his real opinions on the latest men's grooming products and best practices where he reveals the best (and worst) style advice every man should know.
