Jérôme EpinetteThe nose · 236 fragrances · also made Mojave Ghost Absolu (2024)Portrait →Will you like it? Mark a few fragrances you own or love and we'll tell you.
Byredo · Sold as unisex
Bal d'Afrique Absolu
A late afternoon stroll through a lush garden where the sun filters through leaves, blending the freshness of lemon with the richness of praline and musk.
Full bottle: Luxury tier, typically $250+. Links open each seller's own page. We may earn a commission; it never changes the order.
Bal d'Afrique AbsoluLuxury · $250+
47%Similar accords, often for lessEx Vetiver · Juliette Has A GunPremium tier, $100–250 · shares 4 of its 7 notes8 matches →How it wears
From community votes · bars are each option's shareComposition & Character
Notes Pyramid
TopOpening
BaseFoundation
The story behind the bottle.
Bal d'Afrique Absolu by Byredo, launched in 2025 and crafted by perfumer Jérôme Epinette, is a fragrance that embodies the contrast between freshness and warmth. It opens with bright citrus notes of blackcurrant, bergamot, and lemon, creating an invigorating burst of energy. The heart introduces sweet praline and violet, adding a touch of indulgence before settling into a rich base of musk, black amber, cedarwood, and vetiver. This composition weaves together the crispness of citrus with the depth of woody and animalic notes, resulting in a scent that is both vibrant and grounding.
Bal d'Afrique Absolu has a relatively short-lived top note, so apply a generous amount to ensure you capture its full citrus vibrancy. The rich base notes develop over time, making it ideal for an evening out or a long day at the office.
Fig. 01 — Bal d'Afrique Absolu, Byredo
Where to buy.
Wear it for a week first
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Jérôme Epinette
The hand behind ByredoJérôme Epinette is a French perfumer born and raised in Burgundy who earned a Master's degree in Biochemistry before training at the Grasse Institute of Perfumery.
The Bal d'Afrique line
4 fragrances, compared side by side
Designer Byredo
More from the house · founded 2006 · Sweden
You Might Also Like
Chosen from what wearers say it smells like, what its fans also love, and its notes
Love it, not the $250+ price?
Matched by accords and notes. Sample first, then decide.
The originalBal d'Afrique AbsoluByredo · Luxury · $250+Juliette Has A Gun · 2024Ex VetiverShares 4 of its 7 notes$100–250★ 3.72 (1,035)47%Match
L'Artisan Parfumeur · 2017Au Bord de L'eauShares 4 of its 6 notes$100–250★ 3.74 (129)46%Match
Donna Karan · 2016DKNY Men Summer 2016Shares 5 of its 11 notes$40–100★ 3.75 (24)48%Match
Ajmal · 2023Feather BlissShares 5 of its 8 notesunder $40
With Byredo Mojave Ghost Absolu
Adds floral and violet; shares violet and musk and 1 more note.
Suggested from accords and notes · not yet tried by wearers
What people
are saying.
A community favourite: loved by 68%, disliked or hated by 6%.