Marc-Antoine Barrois Ganymede: A New Planet in Modern Perfumery

Ganymede by Marc-Antoine Barrois is a futuristic, mineral-leathery fragrance that defies genre and gender. Launched in 2019, it’s widely considered one of the most original niche releases of recent years. Ganymede invites wearers into a surreal olfactory space—elegant, abstract, and strangely magnetic.

Buy Ganymede on Amazon – check current price here.

Brand

Marc-Antoine Barrois is a French couture designer turned niche fragrance visionary. His brand blends tailored Parisian elegance with avant-garde perfumery. Each creation reflects a couture mindset: precise, memorable, and full of character.

Marc-Antoine Barrois Official Site

Fragrance Name

The name Ganymede refers to Jupiter’s largest moon, but also to a figure from Greek mythology—a beautiful youth made immortal by the gods. The dual inspiration captures the scent’s cosmic ambition and timeless beauty.

Collection

Ganymede is part of a growing collection under the Marc-Antoine Barrois fragrance line, including:

• B683 – A spicy, leathery fragrance with vetiver
• Encelade – A green, woody scent with rhubarb and leather
• Ganymede Extrait (2023) – A deeper, richer version of the original

This collection stands out for its bold minimalism and emotional clarity, developed exclusively with master perfumer Quentin Bisch.

Description of the Scent

Ganymede opens with saffron and mandarin, evolves into immortelle and mineral suede, and settles into an elegant saline-leather dry-down. The scent avoids traditional woods or amber, instead embracing a luminous, metallic freshness with a smooth texture.

The bottle reflects Barrois’s architectural precision: a minimalist square shape, heavy glass, and a golden cap. The amber liquid glows against the clean lines, embodying both warmth and cosmic distance.

Fragrance Notes

• Top Notes: Mandarin Orange, Saffron

• Heart Notes: Violet, Immortelle

• Base Notes: Suede, Mineral Notes, Akigalawood, Saline Accord

Olfactive Classification

Ganymede is classified as a Leathery Mineral fragrance, but it blurs lines between aromatic, spicy, and woody categories.

Fragrances of the World Classification

According to Fragrances of the World, Ganymede falls into the Woods & Leather family, with a sub-classification leaning toward Aromatic Woods and Dry Woods.

Who Is It For?

Ganymede is for those who seek novelty, elegance, and edge. It appeals to individuals who love abstract, artistic perfumery and are unafraid to wear something unconventional. Perfect for all genders.

Occasion

• Evening wear – Ideal for special events, gallery nights, or fashion-forward outings
• Creative workspaces – Sparks curiosity and conversation
• Fall & Winter – The suede and immortelle bloom in colder air
• Signature scent – For those who want to stand apart

Perfumer

Ganymede was created by Quentin Bisch, known for his boundary-pushing creations. He aimed to craft a leather scent with light, rather than darkness—a completely new olfactory vision.

Marc-Antoine Barrois Ganymede vs Ganymede Extrait

Ganymede Eau de Parfum (2019):

• Luminous, fresh, and slightly more transparent
• More suited for daytime wear and warm climates
• Highlights the saffron and mineral accords

Ganymede Extrait de Parfum (2023):

• Deeper, richer, and longer-lasting
• Ideal for evening, formal events, or cooler weather
• Emphasizes the suede and immortelle facets

Both versions retain the signature elegance and futuristic character—your choice depends on the intensity and mood you seek.

Marc-Antoine Barrois Ganymede FAQ

Is Ganymede unisex or masculine?

• It’s fully unisex. The mineral-leather structure transcends traditional gender lines.

Does it last all day?

• Yes. The Eau de Parfum lasts 8–10 hours; the Extrait even longer.

Is it worth the price?

• For lovers of abstract niche perfumery, absolutely. It offers originality and performance.

What makes it unique?

• The absence of amber, oud, or traditional woods. It’s leather reimagined with light.

Is Ganymede similar to Terre d’Hermès?

• Both share a mineral character, but Ganymede is more futuristic and abstract.

History of the Fragrance

Launch & Concept

Launched in 2019, Ganymede followed the success of B683, offering a more ethereal and luminous counterpart. It was inspired by the celestial world and mythological beauty.

Development & Reception

Ganymede quickly became a cult favorite. It stood out for not relying on heavy oud, amber, or tobacco, but rather offering a space-age, mineral-floral structure.

Extrait Version (2023)

The 2023 Extrait version intensified the composition with greater depth and longevity, enriching the suede and mineral facets.

Sustainability

Marc-Antoine Barrois emphasizes local production, small-batch manufacturing, and recyclable packaging, aligning with slow luxury values.

Trivia

• Named after both a myth and a moon
• Immortelle note gives a unique, almost savory quality
• Featured in numerous “Best Niche Perfumes of the Decade” lists

Advertising Campaign

Barrois’s campaigns avoid traditional celebrity-driven media. Instead, they favor visual poetry, art film, and abstract fashion photography. Campaigns for Ganymede include:

• Celestial landscapes and surreal silhouettes
• Short films showing cosmic textures and golden skin tones
• Gallery-style displays in niche perfumeries

These emphasize the artistic and universal nature of scent.

Public Reception

Ganymede is widely praised for its originality, elegance, and futuristic appeal. It consistently appears in niche fragrance top lists and is beloved by those seeking something truly different. Reviewers often highlight its clean, salty-leathery contrast as addictively unique.

Famous Wearers

Ganymede has quietly gained popularity among fashion-forward celebrities and artists known for their unique personal style. Notably:

• Timothée Chalamet – Rumored to favor Ganymede for red carpet events, aligning with his bold yet elegant fashion choices
• Rami Malek – Known for his distinctive scent preferences and often associated with modern niche fragrances
• Troye Sivan – A fan of artistic, genderless perfumes, often seen in connection with cutting-edge olfactory choices

Price Range

• Ganymede Eau de Parfum 100ml: $230 – $270
• Ganymede Extrait 50ml: $240 – $280
• Discovery sets or travel formats: $50 – $80

Buy Ganymede on Amazon – check current price here.

Similar Fragrances

Hermès Terre d’Hermès Eau Intense Vétiver – Earthy-mineral but more grounded

Orto Parisi Terroni – Explosive and unconventional, but darker

Les Indémodables Cuir de Chine – Transparent leather with violet

Etat Libre d’Orange Hermann à Mes Côtés – Dark, abstract freshness

Zoologist Squid – Marine-inky and otherworldly, for the adventurous

Ganymede by Marc-Antoine Barrois is a genre-defying masterpiece that challenges expectations of what leather, spice, and minerality can become. It’s a fragrance for explorers—elegant, enigmatic, and light-bound.

What’s your take on futuristic perfumery? Share your thoughts below.

If you’re fascinated by cosmic, clean-leathery scents, you might also enjoy our review of Hermès Terre d’Hermès—a grounded, mineral classic.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Rate Marc-Antoine Barrois Ganymede