CypressOpens with
Pine Tree NeedlesHeart
OakmossDries down to
Gérard GoupyThe nose · 8 fragrances · also made Magie Noire Parfum (1978)Portrait →Will you like it? Mark a few fragrances you own or love and we'll tell you.
Lancôme · Sold as masculine
Balafre (Vintage)
The quiet corner of a leather-bound library, where the scent of fresh herbs and woody notes mingles with the subtle musk of old books.
Full bottle: Premium tier, typically $100–250. Links open each seller's own page. We may earn a commission; it never changes the order.
Balafre (Vintage)Premium · $100–250
62%Similar accords, often for lessLacoste · Lacoste FragrancesMid-range tier, $40–100 · shares 6 of its 17 notes8 matches →How it wears
From community votes · bars are each option's shareComposition & Character
The story behind the bottle.
Balafre (Vintage) by Lancôme, launched in 1967 and crafted by Gérard Goupy, embodies the essence of French elegance with its complex aromatic profile. This fragrance opens with green notes and cypress, creating a fresh, slightly spicy atmosphere that feels both modern and lasting. The heart blends chamomile, lavender, and bergamot for an herbal yet floral bouquet, while the base offers depth through cedar, oakmoss, leather, vetiver, musk, and amber. Balafre (Vintage) is a Woody Chypre scent that encapsulates the sophistication of its era.
Apply this fragrance to pulse points for a slow reveal — it takes about an hour for the full depth of the base notes to emerge. It’s best worn in cooler weather when its earthy warmth complements the air.
Fig. 01 — Balafre (Vintage), Lancôme
Where to buy.
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Gérard Goupy
From Climat to Black MagicGérard Goupy was a French perfumer who apprenticed in Grasse before joining Lancôme in 1967, where he created Climat, a floral, fresh fragrance that brought him early fame.
The Balafre line
4 fragrances, compared side by side
Designer Lancôme
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Chosen from what wearers say it smells like, what its fans also love, and its notes
Love it, not the $100–250 price?
Matched by accords and notes. Sample first, then decide.
The originalBalafre (Vintage)Lancôme · Premium · $100–250Lacoste Fragrances · 1984LacosteShares 6 of its 17 notes$40–100★ 4.15 (613)56%Match
Ralph Lauren · 1978PoloShares 6 of its 21 notes$40–100★ 3.80 (7,223)63%Match
Rochas · 1980MacassarShares 6 of its 16 notes$40–100★ 4.52 (245)60%Match
Rochas · 1969Monsieur Rochas Eau de Toilette ConcentreeShares 6 of its 15 notes$40–100★ 4.39 (174)
With Juliette Has A Gun Mad Madame
Adds rose, musky and smoky; shares amber.
Suggested from accords and notes · not yet tried by wearers
What people
are saying.
Well loved by wearers: loved by 52%, disliked or hated by 5%.