Paco by Paco Rabanne

Paco Rabanne

Paco Rabanne Paco Eau de Toilette

A fresh citrus aromatic unisex fragrance from 1995, opening with coriander, lemon and pine, built on a lavender and tea heart, finished with musk and sandalwood.

Unisex
Fresh
Citrus Aromatic
1995
Reviewed byBibi Burness·Last updated 23 September 2026

Paco Rabanne Paco Eau de Toilette is a fresh, citrus aromatic fragrance launched in 1995, designed to be worn by both men and women. It's a classic 90s composition that leans green and herbal rather than sweet.

What does Paco smell like?

The opening is crisp and green, with coriander, amalfi lemon, mandarin orange and pine giving it a sharp, forest-fresh start. The heart softens into lavender, jasmine, tea and cyclamen, adding a herbal, slightly floral character. It finishes on a smooth base of musk, sandalwood, cedar and tonka, giving the fragrance a warm, woody close.

  • Top notes: Coriander, amalfi lemon, mandarin orange, pine
  • Heart notes: Lavender, jasmine, tea, cyclamen
  • Base notes: Musk, sandalwood, cedar, tonka

Performance and when to wear it

Paco is typically moderate on skin, in keeping with its fresh, citrus aromatic style. It works well for daytime wear in any season, and its green, herbal character makes it especially pleasant in warmer weather.

Who is it for?

This fragrance suits anyone who enjoys fresh, green citrus aromatic scents rather than sweet or heavy fragrances. Its unisex character and classic profile make it an easy everyday option for men and women alike.

Frequently asked questions

Is Paco long-lasting?+

It's typically moderate on skin, which is normal for a fresh citrus aromatic eau de toilette from this era. It performs best as a daytime fragrance.

Is Paco for men or women?+

Paco is a unisex fragrance, launched in 1995 with a fresh, green citrus aromatic profile that suits both men and women.

Which size should I buy?+

This fragrance is available in a 100ml bottle, a practical size for regular daytime wear if you enjoy classic fresh citrus aromatic scents.

At a glance

Paco by Paco Rabanne — Fresh – Citrus Aromatic. Launched 1995. Created by Rosendo Mateu. Price in South Africa: R900. Best for: morning commute, weekend brunch, power meeting, garden party.

Scent profile
Fresh – Citrus Aromatic
Launched
1995
Perfumer
Rosendo Mateu
Price in South Africa
R900
Gender
Unisex
Best for
Morning Commute, Weekend Brunch, Power Meeting, Garden Party
Price RangeR900
Where to Buy in SA
R
Rio PerfumesUnverified
R900
Score = checks passed of 8All sellers →
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Main Accords

Citrus
85%
Sweet
85%
Fresh
80%
Aromatic
75%
Musky
65%

Fragrance Pyramid

How this scent unfolds on your skin

Coriander
Amalfi Lemon
Lavender
Jasmine
Tea
Musk
Sandalwood
Cedar
Tonka

Community Opinions

Pros
Versatile for daily wear👍 775
Unique and memorable scent profile👍 594
Available from trusted retailers👍 363
Cons
Bold scent may not suit all preferences👎 277

Wear It When

🌅

Morning Commute

A spritz before you leave — fresh enough to wake you up, polished enough for the boardroom.

Morning
Energising
🥂

Weekend Brunch

Sun-dappled café tables, iced lattes, and effortless charm.

Midday
Relaxed
💼

Power Meeting

Quiet confidence in a bottle. Let the work speak — the fragrance just underlines it.

Afternoon
Commanding
🌿

Garden Party

Blooming hedgerows, pastel dresses, and sunlight warming bare shoulders.

Afternoon
Romantic

Drag the knobs to explore

🌸 Spring0% · Skip
☀️ Summer0% · Skip
🍂 Autumn0% · Skip
❄️ Winter0% · Skip

This Scent Is For

Unisex
Clean & Energising

Crisp & invigorating — thrives in warmer months.

Scent Mood

FreshRadiant

Peak season: ☀️ Summer (80%)

80

Spr

80

Sum

40

Aut

40

Win

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Layer It With

Curated scent pairings to build a signature from Paco. Each combination is vetted by perfumers, editors, and community.

Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace

The winter weight for summer signatures.

Autumn
Winter
Unisex

Adds chestnut-vanilla warmth and smoke to lighter scents — converts a daytime signature into something evening-ready in cold weather.

Layering Tip

Spray the heavier scent first, then the lighter one on top. Start with two scents — more than three quickly becomes muddled. Always test on skin first.

How to Layer Paco

Combine Paco with these partners to create something new. Spray the heavier scent first, let it settle, then add the accent on top. These are note-based suggestions — a great starting point to experiment with.

Prada Luna Rossa
Suggested pairing daytime office wear

Layer Paco with

Prada Luna Rossa

How: 1 spray each, layered together on the chest

Result: both are citrus-aromatic, so Luna Rossa's ambrette-ambroxan base extends Paco's lavender-jasmine-tea drydown

Fragrance World Aqua Pura
Suggested pairing hot weather

Layer Paco with

Fragrance World Aqua Pura

How: 1 spray Fragrance World Aqua Pura first, 2 sprays Paco Rabanne Paco on top

Result: the aquatic freshness carries the coriander-lemon-pine top notes further into the day

AI Review Summary

Synthesised from fragrance data

A classic 90s fresh-citrus that holds up surprisingly well, Paco opens with a sharp, green burst of coriander, pine and Amalfi lemon before settling into a herbal-floral heart where lavender and tea do most of the heavy lifting. It never goes sweet or heavy, which is exactly the point — this is a clean, understated scent that stays close to the skin without demanding attention. The warm base of sandalwood, cedar and tonka keeps it from feeling too austere, rounding things out nicely. It's a solid everyday option for both men and women, and particularly well-suited to warm South African days when you want something fresh and effortless without overthinking it.

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