Best Bal d'Afrique by Byredo Alternatives & Similar Perfumes
Bal d'Afrique is a floral fragrance combining bright bergamot and African marigold with green buchu and delicate violet. Its heart blends cyclamen and vetiver, supported by a base of cedarwood that adds depth and warmth. Those drawn to this scent may focus on its fresh floral notes balanced by earthy and woody undertones, especially the interplay of bergamot and vetiver that gives it a distinct character.
À Pas De Loup (On Tiptoe) by Milleseve £115.00
- Key notes:
- damp earth accord
- mushroom
- oakmoss
- patchouli
- sage
- sandalwood
- vetiver
- violet
- Aromagroups:
- woody
The primal sap of the forest. The dew-soaked ground releases the smell of damp earth that awakens an animal joy. A soft cloud of oak moss and mushrooms rises. Sandalwood envelops, clary sage enlivens. The benzoin drydown reveals amber and resinous notes, prowling like a wolf.
Absent Presence by Beaufort £125.00
- Key notes:
- bergamot
- galbanum
- leather
- vetiver
- violet leaf
- Aromagroups:
- citrusy
- leather
‘O absent presence, Stella is not here’
The fifth and final instalment of the Revenants collection draws inspiration from the Elizabethan poet Sir Philip Sidney. In his Sonnet sequence ‘Astrophel and Stella’ Sidney develops and captures the essence of a haunting… the presence of one that is always felt but never seen.
‘Now I, wit-beaten long by hardest fate,
So dull am, that I cannot look into
The ground of this fierce love and lovely hate,
Then some good body tell me how I do,
Whose presence absence, absent presence is;
Blesst in my curse, and cursed in my bliss.’
Adèle by Marie Jeanne £110.00
- Key notes:
- bergamot
- galbanum
- tomato leaves
- verbena
- vetiver
- Aromagroups:
- citrusy
- green
- woody
Perfume: Alexis Dadier
Galbanum, bergamot and tomato leaves create an exquisite citrusy woody diffusion. Marie Jeanne, known for the outstanding quality of their materials, have excelled, offering a beautifully rich green fragrance.
Bergamotto di Calabria by Perris Monte Carlo £160.00
- Key notes:
- bergamot
- neroli
- orange blossom
- vetiver
- Aromagroups:
- citrusy
- green
A fresh citrus perfume in which the bergamot aroma at the core is gently wrapped in soft, musky orange blossom and green neroli.
As always, Perris go for the best materials they can source from around the world. For Bergamotto Di Calabria they acquired special “sponge extraction” bergamot oil from Capua. In this region the traditional artisans still perform the extraction manually. Each fruit is sliced in half, the pulp removed, and the rind pressed on a natural sponge in a circular motion to collect the essence. The bergamot rind extract obtained with this method has the most delicate and complex aroma, with a hint of jasmine.
The blend also contains orange blossom absolute from the Italian Capua, Paraguaian petitgrain (the distillation of the twigs from the bitter orange tree), pepper from Timor Island, Moroccan neroli, and Haitian vetiver.
Infuse by Akro £160.00
- Key notes:
- bergamot
- tea
- vetiver
- Aromagroups:
- citrusy
At its best, the ancient drink of tea is both relaxing and invigorating, sensual and stimulating. A tonic to carry you through the day. Infuse is a complex fragrance based on the flavours and aromas of oolong tea: bitter, deep, and herbal. In this EdP, osmanthus teases out the floral nuance of mate, while vetiver twins tea’s aromatic smoky side.
Ivorysky by Perroy £70.00
- Key notes:
- bergamot
- sandalwood
- vetiver
- Aromagroups:
- citrusy
- woody
Sometimes, where you are is where it’s at. Nothing to add, everything to savour. Inspired by suspended moments, Ivorysky finds its balance between the citrus freshness of bergamot, the woody nuances of vetiver, and the creamy softness of sandalwood. Delicate powdery notes bind everything together, creating a harmonious trail between freshness, warmth, and softness.
Jawa Cologne by Mabra £60.00
- Key notes:
- bergamot
- lime
- petrichor
- vetiver
- Aromagroups:
- citrusy
- green
An olfactory portrait of the Indonesian island of Java, featuring its agricultural bounty of vetiver and lime. Green notes blend with tart lime and the tangy sweetness of bergamot. Rooty vetiver anchors this freshness in an earthy and elegant base.
The cologne range has a perfume concentration of around 20%, making them longer-lasting than traditional colognes, while retaining the freshness and lightness that define this type of creation.
Mad by And Fragrance £125.00
- Key notes:
- bergamot
- blackcurrant
- buchu herb
- vanilla
- vetiver
- Aromagroups:
- fruity
- green
- woody
Madagasgar’s threatened forests are home to some of the most intoxicating plants in the world. Including vanilla. Which smells loads better than a lemur.
But we’re not talking about ice cream or a shot of vanilla goo in a skinny latte. No, this is naked vanilla packed with luxurious orchid warmth. Blended with the best Madagascar has to offer including ylang oil, vetiver,violet, musk, jasmine and cloves.
Think of this it as an ecosystem in a bottle; a hug from mother earth. You get the picture.
Marcel by Marie Jeanne £110.00
- Key notes:
- bergamot
- rosemary
- vetiver
- ylang-ylang
- Aromagroups:
- aromatic
- citrusy
- woody
Perfume: Karine Vinchon
A new addition to Bloom’s portfolio, an elegant cologne with herbaceous and woody undertones.
With classic formulas it’s the quality of the ingredients that matters. Marie Jeanne might be a new perfume house, but it’s founded by a young perfumer from a family connected to Robertet for several generations.
Robertet is a bit like De Beers of the fine natural perfume materials, for decades they have been dealing with the finest, purest and most precious stuff a perfumer can dream of.
This is Marcel, a classic elegant herbaceous cologne but with highly likely the best bergamot from Italy, ylang-ylang from Madagascar, vetiver from Haiti and patchouli from Indonesia among other notes in the formula.
No. 89 by Floris £100.00
- Key notes:
- bergamot
- geranium
- neroli
- nutmeg
- oakmoss
- sandalwood
- vetiver
- Aromagroups:
- aromatic
- citrusy
- woody
No. 89 has been an icon among the Floris collection for over 60 years. First crafted in 1951, No. 89 takes its name from the number of their flagship shop on Jermyn Street.
Ian Fleming who was a customer of Floris mentions No. 89 in his James Bond universe.
No. 89 is a classic and timeless mix of fresh citruses, sparkly spices and aromatic herbs resting on sandalwood and oakmoss. There is an adventurous romantic twist in the formula though: a drop of rose.
No. 89 could be a fragrance for the quintessential English gentleman.
About Bal d'Afrique by Byredo
- How does Bal d'Afrique differ from the fragrances listed here?
- Bal d'Afrique is defined by its floral character with notes like African marigold and cyclamen, balanced by bergamot and vetiver. The fragrances listed share some of its key notes but vary by adding earthier, greener, or more aromatic elements, often shifting away from the original’s floral heart.
- What notes should I focus on if I like Bal d'Afrique?
- Focus on fragrances that include bergamot and vetiver for the fresh and woody base, as well as violet or floral notes for a similar character. Additional green or herbal notes can also echo Bal d'Afrique’s complexity.
- Are these fragrances suitable for everyday wear?
- Many of these fragrances have fresh and clean profiles that work well for daily use. However, some include smokier or earthier notes that might suit particular occasions or preferences better.









