Arsenal by Gilles Cantuel
Men 1996
Main accords
Description
Arsenal by Gilles Cantuel is a men's fragrance from the olfactory family. Launched in 1996, this composition features top notes of lemon (sour lime), bergamot, galbanum, and mandarin. The heart reveals anise, neroli, lavender, and violet leaves, while the base settles on vetiver, woods, and a touch of incense.
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The olfactory pyramid
A guide to the opening, heart and lasting trail of the fragrance.
The community speaks
Compare the results and tap an answer to add your vote.
In the collection
Leading answer I owned it
175 votes
What do you think?
Leading answer Like it
71 votes
Season
Choose severalLeading answer Autumn
108 votes
Time of day
Choose severalLeading answer Day
60 votes
Each question has its own vote count. You can choose several seasons.
Fragrance profile
About Arsenal
Arsenal by Gilles Cantuel is a men’s fragrance from the olfactory family. Launched in 1996, this composition features top notes of lemon (sour lime), bergamot, galbanum, and mandarin. The heart reveals anise, neroli, lavender, and violet leaves, while the base settles on vetiver, woods, and a touch of incense.
Green, herbal and fougère Spices Flowers Woods and mosses
It may remind you of
Ranked by what the community voted.
More from Gilles Cantuel
How it wears
Compare the results and tap an answer to add your vote.
Longevity
Leading answer Moderate
54 votes
Sillage
Leading answer Moderate
58 votes
Character
Leading answer Traditionally masculine
27 votes
Value perception
Leading answer Excellent value
26 votes
Featured review The most detailed of the latest reviews.
Have you worn Arsenal?
Tell us how it opens, how it settles on your skin, how long it lasts and when you wear it.
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Tufo25
It’s a citrusy alcohol with floral and masculine notes, a vintage style that fits perfectly today. It works well on my skin, but it doesn’t last long and leaves no trail. It’s suitable for all seasons, though I personally don’t like wearing it in the heat. It’s a Gilles Cantuel model that’s hard to find, but it has great value.
Ethan Jaeger
This was a brutal, delicious, and super attractive fragrance; with it, every woman would look at me. It’s only 20% similar to D&G Pour Homme, but I’d choose Arsenal a thousand times over. It’s a shame it’s no longer available because nothing can replicate it. It’s hard to define, but it is fresh, with sweet wood, menthol, and citrus notes all at once. It lasts 7 to 8 hours on skin and days on clothes. DEP Arsenal Grey.
Ethan Jaeger
This was a really good, delicious, attractive, and sexy fragrance; no woman would pass me by without complimenting me. The only thing that’s about 20% similar is D&G Pour Homme, and I’d choose Arsenal a thousand times over. It’s a shame it’s no longer available because there’s no equivalent. It’s hard to describe, but it stood out for its freshness; I perceived sweet woods, something mentholated, and citrusy all at once. It had great longevity—7-8 hours on skin and lasting days on clothes. DEP Arsenal Grey.
Stendhal
Honestly, I bought it just for a blind shopping game; I needed something guilt-free and it was great value. I was pleasantly surprised. It doesn’t smell like a niche, but it stands out from the usual 2022 drugstore perfumes, plus the packaging is a bomb. The phases are noticeable: an alcoholic and citrusy opening (more lemony than tangerine) that quickly gives way to a real neroli, nothing fussy, like crushing an unripe flower, with sweet lavender and anise. Then it shifts to sweet woods with a floral touch. I see it as masculine, youthful, and complex, a bit unisex.
Stendhal
I grabbed this blind because I needed something guilt-free and the price was great. I’m hooked. It’s not niche, but it stands out from the usual ABC crowd you find in a perfumery in 2022, and the packaging is bomb (badun-tss). The notes are distinct: starts a bit alcoholic and very citrusy, more lemony than tangerine, then shifts to a real neroli within minutes—nothing cloying, like crushing an unripe flower between your fingers, mixed with sweet lavender and anise. Then it moves into sweet woods with florals. I see it as masculine, unisex, youthful, and complex.
wilmito
I tried it on my cousin’s wrist and she said it smelled like Mistolin jasmine lol, but the dry-down reminded her of pink toilet paper 🙁 she went to take a shower because it grossed her out! lol, maybe it’s because it’s synthetic?
wilmito
Hehe, I found the budget version of Fleur du Male. At first, it’s citrusy but fades in under a minute, then neroli kicks in and I like it. It smells powdery, clean, and baby-like. After the neroli fades, violet leaves emerge, followed by vetiver with a hint of incense, and finally incense with sweet woods. It’s an eau de parfum, which is rare for men, and I don’t know why it’s called Arsenal—it’s supposed to reference a pomegranate, yet it’s not strong at all. It’s soft and tender, perfect for young people just starting to explore scents. A daily option if you have unconventional or low-maintenance tastes; it smells like a little boy, mediocre quality, floral-aromatic.
carloso
This was my first perfume, and thanks to it, I learned to fall in love with fragrances. I love you, Arsenal Classic; you are the first and only one who made me fall in love.