Yves Saint Laurent 2011 EDP

M ££ Statement

La Collection Rive Gauche

by Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud

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Yves Saint Laurent La Collection Rive Gauche is an Eau de Parfum launched in 2011, created by Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud. La Collection Rive Gauche settles into a heart of Lavender, Geranium, and Fern, and dries down to a base of Patchouli, Guaiac Wood, and Oakmoss. Yves Saint Laurent's La Collection Rive Gauche carries a Statement verdict, a woody-led wear.

A legendary barbershop fougère, Rive Gauche is divisive only among its most ardent fans fretting over reformulations. For the uninitiated, this is a timeless, classy scent, a benchmark for masculine elegance, albeit with some inconsistent performance across batches. If you want expensive shaving cream in a bottle, look no further.
What our verdicts mean →
  • Classic
  • Sophisticated
  • Elegant
  • Modern
  • Luxurious
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La Collection Rive Gauche Eau de Parfum bottle

Scent Profile

Composition

Timeline

Showing: Overall Blend

Top, heart and base are the brand's own listing, not a timing claim - the industry classifies a note by its character as much as by how fast it fades. Each curve here is modelled from that material's own volatility, so groups can overlap when a house lists long-lasting materials in its heart.

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Performance & Mood

Performance

Longevity
Long (6-10h)
Projection
Strong
Intensity
Strong

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

When To Wear

Best Seasons

Best For:
Spring Fall Winter
Also Works:
Summer

Versatile across every season - no clear seasonal preference from wearers.

Best Occasions

Best For:
Office Casual Formal
Also Works:
Date

Its clean, classic barbershop aroma makes it perfect for formal events and the office, exuding professionalism without being overbearing. While versatile enough for casual wear, its sophisticated nature might feel a bit much for active sports. It's a bit too formal for casual dates, but perfect for a fancy dinner.

Declarable allergens

We derive these from the materials behind this fragrance's notes, not from the bottle. Each one is likely, not confirmed. The list is partial - the box can name others.

In standard patch-test panels

  • Oakmoss Evernia prunastri extract from Oakmoss

Other declarable allergens

  • Lavender Lavandula Hybrida Oil from Lavender
  • Rose geranium Pelargonium Graveolens Oil from Geranium

The large name is the everyday one. The small name is the INCI form on the box, so you can compare the two. Reactions differ between people. A patch-test panel is not a ranking of risk. How we derive this

About

Rive Gauche opens with a fresh, aromatic burst of lavender, reminiscent of a classic, luxurious shaving foam. Geranium adds a gentle floral sweetness, balancing the crispness. As it settles, earthy patchouli and mossy oakmoss emerge, grounding the fragrance with a rich, verdant depth, while guaiac wood provides a sophisticated, subtly smoky warmth to this archetypal masculine scent.

Similar

Compare & Pair

Layer

Wear two at once. See what layers well with La Collection Rive Gauche Eau de Parfum - the blends worth trying, and how each one scores.

Complement

Round out the rotation. See what complements La Collection Rive Gauche Eau de Parfum - fragrances that pair with it, worn side by side.

Where to buy

Prices for the United Kingdom ·

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Drawn from community reviews and editor-reviewed before publishing on . See our methodology and disclosure policy.