Violet LeafOpens with
Rose OilHeart
OakmossDries down to
Quentin BischThe nose · 183 fragrances · also made Le Male Le Parfum (2020)Portrait →Will you like it? Mark a few fragrances you own or love and we'll tell you.
Ex Nihilo · Sold as unisex
French Affair
The quiet confidence of a well-appointed study where the scent of fresh flowers mingles with the rich tones of aged books and polished wood.
Full bottle: Luxury tier, typically $250+. Links open each seller's own page. We may earn a commission; it never changes the order.
French AffairLuxury · $250+
42%Similar accords, often for lessSauvage Extrait · DiorPremium tier, $100–250 · shares 4 of its 8 notes8 matches →How it wears
From community votes · bars are each option's shareComposition & Character
Notes Pyramid
TopOpening
HeartThe Soul
The story behind the bottle.
French Affair by Ex Nihilo, launched in 2017 and crafted by perfumer Quentin Bisch, is a sophisticated chypre fragrance that embodies the French spirit of pure refinement. The composition opens with bright citrus notes from bergamot and litchi, balanced by the lush greenness of violet leaf. This fresh opening gives way to a heart of rose oil and angelica, which adds depth and complexity. The base is anchored by woody accords like atlas cedar, vetiver, oakmoss, and patchouli, creating an earthy, mossy backdrop with musky and powdery undertones.
French Affair has a long-lasting base, so one or two sprays to the pulse points will ensure it stays close to your skin throughout the day. The citrus top notes are bright but fleeting, making way for the deeper earthy and woody accords that unfold over time.
Fig. 01 — French Affair, Ex Nihilo
Where to buy.
Wear it for a week first
A decant costs a fraction of a bottle and tells you how it lasts on your skin.
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Quentin Bisch
The young virtuosoQuentin Bisch is a rising star at Givaudan whose precocious talent has already produced several critically acclaimed fragrances.
Designer Ex Nihilo
More from the house · France
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Etat Libre d'OrangeExperimentum CrucisEDP · ★ 3.85Similar notes and accordsStill deciding?Try the Scent Finder →Love it, not the $250+ price?
Matched by accords and notes. Sample first, then decide.
The originalFrench AffairEx Nihilo · Luxury · $250+Dior · 2026Sauvage ExtraitShares 4 of its 8 notes$100–250★ 3.65 (1,588)44%Match
Miller HarrisVetiver BourbonShares Oakmoss, Vetiver and Patchouli$100–250★ 4.38 (40)43%Match
Ajmal · 2010Entice HimShares Bergamot, Vetiver and Patchouliunder $40★ 4.06 (17)
With Ex Nihilo Rose
Adds citrus, soft spicy and fresh spicy; shares bergamot and vetiver.
Suggested from accords and notes · not yet tried by wearers
What people
are saying.
Respected, if divisive: loved by 36%, disliked or hated by 17%.