5 Must-Have Fragrances for Summer 2026
As summer settles in, the desire to refresh your signature scent naturally follows. This selection brings together five fragrances from our catalog that truly come alive in the heat — each offering a unique interpretation of the season, from the most ethereal to the most enveloping. Five fragrances chosen from our most sought-after references, available as samples so you can discover them at your own pace.
Tilia — Marc-Antoine Barrois
Launched in 2024 by Parisian couturier Marc-Antoine Barrois, Tilia is the creation of Quentin Bisch, one of the most sought-after noses in contemporary perfumery. Flowering linden tree forms the heart of the composition: a vegetal note, slightly honeyed, with a sweetness characteristic of June evenings.
The top notes combine linden blossom, jasmine sambac and broom in a floral and ethereal accord. The heart allows orange blossom, heliotrope and vetiver to express themselves, before the base settles on Ambrofix and georgywood — two modern materials that ensure remarkable longevity on the skin.
Tilia dries in a white and luminous floral direction, without any heaviness. Its projection remains within an intimate radius, making it a natural choice for both daytime and summer evenings.
Musc Nurāsana — Maison Crivelli
Launched in 2026, Musc Nurāsana opens a new chapter in Maison Crivelli's exploration of musk. Composed by Gaël Montero, it is inspired by waking up early in the morning on a terrace bathed in the first light — a physical sensation, fresh and slightly resinous.
The top notes — Italian bergamot, ginger and Indian cardamom — open with a spicy-citrus accord of surprising clarity. The heart develops a duo of Somali olibanum and Turkish Damask rose, floral and slightly smoky. The base of musk, labdanum, fir balsam and tonka bean establishes a soft and persistent warmth, characteristic of spicy oriental compositions.
In the summer heat, this decant reveals an additional sensual dimension. It is a skin fragrance par excellence — understated upon application, deep after a few hours.
Blue Talisman — Ex Nihilo
Ex Nihilo Paris, a house founded in 2013 with an inaugural boutique at Place Vendôme, explores a register of modern and refined luxury. Blue Talisman, composed by Jordi Fernández and launched in 2023, is an exemplary representative of this.
The opening combines pear, bergamot, mandarin and ginger in an immediately striking fruity-citrus accord. The heart settles on orange blossom and georgywood, before the base of musk, Ambrofix, akigalawood and cedar establishes a clean and velvety background that lasts on the skin.
Blue Talisman dries in a luminous and polished direction, without any roughness. It is a fragrance designed for active skin and long days — its freshness lasts for several hours, with a discreet but present sillage.
Bal d'Afrique — Byredo
Released in 2009, Bal d'Afrique remains one of Byredo's most enduring signatures. Composed by Jérôme Epinette, it translates Ben Gorham's personal tribute — the founder of the Swedish house — to the African continent, which he combines with memories of his father.
The top notes combine Amalfi lemon, carnation, blackcurrant, bergamot and African orange blossom in a luminous and warm opening. The heart develops a floral trio of violet, cyclamen and jasmine of measured sensuality. The base of vetiver, musk, amber and Virginian cedar offers a sunny, dry and dressed woody background — the recognizable mark of this fragrance.
Bal d'Afrique works particularly well on summer evenings, when the residual heat of the skin reveals its woody accords. Its projection is generous without being overwhelming — a sillage of presence, not ostentation.
Discover them in decants
These five fragrances are available as samples on Maison Matheis, in 2 ml format for a first approach or in 5 ml, 10ml and 30ml for a more complete immersion. Five olfactory proposals from the same summer — the best way to find the one that suits you.
