L'Homme Libre

L'Homme Libre, inspired by Yves Saint Laurent L'Homme Libre (2011)

L'Homme Libre is green and airy from the start. Violet leaf brings a cool, leafy note and basil an herbal edge, while star anise adds a light aniseed sweetness over bergamot. Pink pepper and nutmeg then contribute dry spice without making it heavy. It ends on vetiver and patchouli, earthy and dry.

About the original

L'Homme Libre, credited to Olivier Polge and Carlos Benaïm, launched in September 2011 as the third fragrance in YSL's L'Homme line after L'Homme (2006) and La Nuit de L'Homme (2009). A Cologne Tonic version followed in 2013. The Eau de Toilette is no longer listed in YSL's L'Homme range in the UK or US, and many resellers describe it as discontinued, although we have found no official statement from YSL.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Yves Saint Laurent stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

A daytime scent at heart, it suits spring and summer, and anyone wanting a fresh spicy option without sweetness. Basil and anise give it a distinctive herbal tone that aniseed sceptics may not enjoy.

Related scents

• Yves Saint Laurent Libre
• Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit de L'Homme
• Yves Saint Laurent L'Homme Intense

Notes of the original fragrance, as listed in fragrance references.

Top notes: Violet Leaf, Basil, Star Anise, Bergamot

Heart notes: Pink Pepper, Nutmeg

Base notes: Vetiver, Patchouli

Violet leaf and basil open it, green and herbal, with star anise and bergamot giving a brisk lift.

Pink pepper and nutmeg form the heart, adding dry, airy spice.

The base is vetiver and patchouli, earthy and lightly woody.

Is YSL L'Homme Libre discontinued?

It no longer appears in YSL's L'Homme range, and resellers widely describe it as discontinued. We have found no official statement from YSL.

Is this the same as YSL Libre?

No. Libre (2019) is a women's fragrance with a different composition, which we also make. This page is the men's L'Homme Libre from 2011.

Does L'Homme Libre smell of aniseed?

Slightly. Star anise is in the opening alongside basil and violet leaf, then it settles into spice and vetiver.

Is Yves Saint Laurent L'Homme Libre coming back?

So far, we have found no announcement from Yves Saint Laurent that it will return. Our version is an eau de parfum in 50 ml or 100 ml.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Yves Saint Laurent and L'Homme Libre are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Yves Saint Laurent in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.