Byzance (2019)

This 2019 version is completely different from the original 1987 classic. If you’re expecting that opulent aldehydic white floral, loaded with spices and tuberose, you’re going to be disappointed. The whole composition has been completely reimagined, and this is actually the version I prefer. The new Byzance is a sweet, powdery, refined, ultra-feminine, elegant, and incredibly comforting fragrance. The opening is bright and slightly fruity. As it develops, the floral notes become delicate, with heliotrope adding that wonderfully soft, powdery character that feels so refined and cozy. Once it has fully dried down on my skin, vanilla takes center stage. But this is not a gourmand vanilla; it’s creamy, smooth, comforting, and incredibly pleasant. The performance on my skin was very good, with longevity exceeding 10 hours. A perfect fragrance for mild-weather days. This new version won me over from the very first spray.

The first batch oF this new reformulation smelled just like the classic one but I just bought another bottle and it's a completely different scent, I don't even understand what they did here.

Love for this scent started with a tester for me. I remembered this name by heart because it was clear it wasn't an "fashion" scent that I would be bombarded with in the future. It is reformulated and I have not smelt it for ages. But I still like this version.

After reading other reviews, I knew this version wouldn't be anything like the classic Byzance, which I used to wear and loved. Curious, I bought a bottle anyway because it was inexpensive. Big mistake. It's sickeningly sweet; useful only for deodorizing toilets IMO. If you want something current that actually resembles the old Byzance, try Ormonde Jayne's Ta'if. Coincidentally, OJ has a Byzance as well, but it, too, is nothing like the Rochas versions.

Very surprised because of how familiar I am with Lalique Le Parfum, and to me this smells almost nothing like it. No Amour or Manifesto either imo. I don't know the 80ies original, so no expectations there. I get a warm plush pear scent. Fuzzy and clean. Powdery from a heliotrope that is not Satine to me at all either but instead a lot like that in Trussardi Limitless Shopping, where it is actually paired with apple and not pear like in Byzance. An upbeat, fruity-powdery colder season perfume. Lalique is a dense melancholic vanilla. Obviously many smell an overlap, but clearly that is not guaranteed! At least I got an excuse to own both after all. lol I like it, and love the bottle which is super high quality, glass and metal.

So, I finally broke down and bought the reformulated version. To be fair, I did not have high hopes for it. The original Byzance was the first "grown up" perfume I ever bought, must have been around 1989. It stayed my favorite perfume for many years. And usually, the new editions of old classics are but shadows of the original, or outright disappointing, so I was always interested in the new one, but never quite dared to buy it. Now I did, and it is really not bad. There is enough of the old Byzance to remind of it, yet it is a somewhat sleeker version. It's like the younger sister to the 1987 version. It's less sweet, less warm than the old one, with the spice notes distinctly sharper than they used to be. But it is a very intriguing perfume nonetheless. I still prefer the original one, but if I cannot have that one any more, I will happily take this one.

I finally tried it. I think is the new version I will not buy it. I will like to try a vintage bottle to see the difference. If I like it more I will buy it.

Umm it's familiar and comforting scent - pleasant and easy to wear, but it doesn’t stand out as unique or mind-blowing. Perfect for everyday use, though it might not leave a lasting impression for those seeking something truly distinctive.

Reminds me of December Vanilla. Less woody, though. I like Byzance more than I used to. It's a good cold weather vanilla. I find it strong, personally.

This is so, so sheer. I knew that the only thing that's left in it from the original Byzance was vanilla, and that's OK. I can very well live without the tuberose. But now it is winter in my corner of the world and I was hoping for a cashmere-thick heliotrope and vanilla. But this is so light, I can barely smell it on wool. If anything, it strikes me as a very watered down version of L'Ombre Des Merveilles (which is OK too, LOdM smells a bit harsh and masculine on me), it's got a similar tea facet and it is not sweet. I think I will love it as a spring-summer cologne, when I'd be able to drench myself in it. The bottle is gorgeous and the price is ridiculous. So, for once I will not hold a grudge against a reformulation.

It's a really nice, sexy scent that I love, but it smells similar to many Middle Eastern perfumes. The longevity and diffusion are pretty good, but if you collect Middle Eastern perfumes, I don't think it's worth buying.

I’ve always heard this was a super spicy scent. I’ve had it in my collection for a while now but I’ve never actually tried it! Oops! I figured since fall weather has made its appearance, what better time than the present! This is not a bit what I expected! I’m pleasantly surprised! It’s such a warm spicy vanilla scent! Almost a chai tea feel. I can sense the heliotrope which doesn’t always wear well on me, but it’s not too bad in this, and fades in the dry down. I feel like this will age very well! I don’t find this to be dated. I actually feel it’s a lot more wearable than some of the heavy spicy middle eastern scents that are so popular right now, such as Khamra, which I own but you have to spray very lightly. This is an affordable gem, the bottle is gorgeous so worth a try! It almost has an expensive niche fragrance vibe. I also think this could go unisex! I personally will only wear this in cooler weather! I also think this would layer well with sweeter fragrances

Vanillic, creamy, and elegantly sweet. Classically feminine, mild, with a gentle oriental touch, yet versatile enough for any occasion. A well composed fragrance for the refined lady.

Spicy vanilla! Love

A legédesebb körte vizes friss illata egy megszelídült Trussardy Jeans gondolatával. Gyümölcsös, virágos, buja.

An amped up Bath and Body Works Madagascar Vanilla. Pear, vanilla and booziness! Very good value too! Lalique’s version is good too. I love them both, but this may beat Lalique Le Parfum.

I bought the original Byzance many, many, many, years ago, and l still have that empty bottle in my livingroom to brighten up my life, and, than l bought this new version, a big, new bottle with a gorgeous blue box, from a privat seller, thx a lot!, and it smells divided in my nose and on my skin! It has a very vintage smell, and l think "bring back the eight-tiez again"! And the 70es and 60iers, give me that wondeful music, Pink Floyd and Eagles, and The Righteous Brothers, l want the high hair and colorfull, psycadelic clothes, and the real PERFUMES! And, pussig nok, as mentioned below, l was thinking of this perfume as perfect for fall and winter, but now in springtime, it smells even better! Love/Love

When I first got this fragrance, I thought it was better suited for winter, because how powdery, vanillic and sweet this fragrance is. But I kept smelling something as if dirty in there, I don’t know what that is, and it kept me from fully enjoying the dry down. But then I tried it in the warmer weather in spring, and the dirty note is not there anymore and the pear with the florals shine more. I think this fragrance is nicer in spring weather.

MNA: missing nose alert. Who is the perfumer?

I have always been drawn the the vintage Byzance with the gold disc because it stood out and was exceptional. I wore it when I was 15 years old. Back then I thought it was too mature for me and only wished for a sweeter fruity scent but it grew on me and I appreciated it. Now I am grown and my nose is more refined to truly appreciate the vintage version. The 2019 version also comes in a beautiful bottle and is a scent I would have preferred as a teenager because of the fruity sweet notes. However, it is nothing compared to the original vintage masterpiece.

Creamy and comforting but I sense an overwhelming synthetic note on me which ruins it.

It’s a pretty one I just wish it didn’t have pear note It was a blind buy for me and I’m happy I added it to my collection. I also got the gold one which I love way better

Nice fresh, soapy, floral scent. Not very sweet. Reminds me 90s. Very difficult to wash it off. Not sophisticated but a nice one. Opening very fresh and fruity then musk and flowers play the role.

Byzance is an almond, pear, heliotrope, vanilla heaven. It reminds me of a lightly spiced almond custard. Very similar to Lalique and Yves Rocher Cuir de Nuit. I love this scent profile, but it is a bit redundant in the perfume world. If you have one you really don’t need the other. It smells expensive, but is very affordable so I am happy with my purchase. Edit: It's been a month since I first purchased. It seems stronger. I only used 2 sprays and 12 hours later, Byzance is still going strong. It was kind of making me nauseous earlier and possibly gave me a headache. I would not overspray. I am glad that I had to cancel a sensitive client today.

What a pleasure to wear this elegant creation. Reminds E.d.p . of Lalique "Le Parfum" very much. There's something that reminds "Satine" of Lalique as well. The main difference that in - Le Parfum - the accent goes on Bay leaf with spicy and more masculine vanilla, and in - Satine - it goes more on floral powdery vanilla side . Rochas perfume has an accent on accord that reminds Almonds / Martzipan note mixed with freshness of pear and aromatic orange blossom , supported by gentle and powdery vanilla. Rochas creation is not about making any loud statements, but more like intimate whispering during close approach. Creates lovely soft aura around user with good longevity. This is not in your face and vulgar perfume from Emirates, but beautiful & elegant European one presented in a stunning bottle. Love it.

I only know Byzance from the 90s, and in that decade I just wanted to have a romance with every woman who was using it. As some say the new reformulation is different from original, i haven't bought it as a gift yet, one day I'll buy it to test. ❤️❤️❤️Masterpiece the 90s Byzance.❤️❤️❤️

Not a real review but just a comment on this release in general… why oh why do perfume companies release a new perfume, with the same name as a previous perfume, that is so very different from it. I had the original Byzance years ago and loved it, got excited when I saw it was back, but no, it’s not that perfume, it’s something entirely different. Are there so few words in the English language ( or any other language for that matter) that they can’t come up with a different name?

So I had this bottle for a good 4 years. When I sprayed first, it was just sweet, musky that turned into something sour woods. On my skin was just no no, as silage is superb you really leave a waft around you. But I still kept it and let it macerate. I am trying now again, and it’s wow so beautiful from the bottle- like sweet with touch coconut - exotic and sunny, but it also has this lingering hot sauna when woods drying smell . Has anyone noticed that ? It’s quite lingering and dominant it overlaps everything, I guess it’s white woods ? Sadly I don’t detect any flowery accords. I think it’s good mixing it with some fresh aquatic and patchouli/ bergamot to make a really unique sweet earthy spa scent. On its own too overpowering especially on warm skin.

I haven't tried it on skin yet, only sprayed it on a paper strip, but I think this is quite a lovely fragrance. First impression was that it smells very familiar, like some ice cream from my childhood that I can't recall ... A day later I don't get that same feeling though, it was most likely just the opening

I never experienced the original. The samples I received of Byzance EDP contain a soft, warm amber scent that has a beautiful opening. It’s very gentle. I love that pear-neroli-bergamot trio. Everything after that comes across to me in its sum as woods and tobacco. It doesn’t make sense looking at the listed notes, but nevertheless it’s lovely and comforting, somewhat haunting. The overall impression is of restraint, refinement, and high quality. I thoroughly enjoy it while it lasts, which so sadly is only 3 about hours, but the sillage is very good while it lasts. It lingers in my memory and makes me wistful.