n the ever-growing world of fragrance dupes, Al Haramain stands out for its consistent quality and affordability. Known for the wildly popular L’Aventure line—which initially gained fame as a budget-friendly alternative to Creed Aventus—Al Haramain has expanded its lineup to include two exciting 2024 releases: L’Aventure Fraiche and L’Aventure Ciel. These scents pay homage to Creed's Silver Mountain Water and Millesime Imperial, but with a fresh, summer-ready twist.
In this blog post, we dive deep into the design, scent profile, performance, and value of both Fraiche and Ciel to help you decide whether these new entries deserve a spot in your collection.
Packaging and First Impressions
The packaging of both L’Aventure Fraiche and Ciel follows Al Haramain's modern, minimalist aesthetic. Both bottles feature sleek square designs with subtle variations:
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Fraiche has a reflective green finish that's visually appealing but prone to fingerprints. The box has a rubberized feel and a slight magnetic closure that adds a premium touch.
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Ciel opts for a matte, non-reflective finish that stays cleaner and offers a more understated elegance.
Each bottle features Al Haramain's signature click-in-place cap and a solid atomizer that releases a generous mist of fragrance with every spray.
L'Aventure Fraiche: A Citrus Sparkle
Inspired by Creed Silver Mountain Water, L’Aventure Fraiche leans heavily into citrus and green notes for a vibrant, clean impression.
Scent Profile:
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Top Notes: Bright citrus, possibly lemon and bergamot, with a sparkling freshness
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Heart Notes: Subtle tea note, white florals, possibly a hint of musk
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Base Notes: Clean woods and soft amber
While Al Haramain already offers L’Aventure Blanche (a known SMW clone), Fraiche is distinct in being fresher, sweeter, and more transparent. The infamous "inky" accord sometimes found in SMW is notably absent here, making Fraiche more crowd-pleasing and accessible.
Best For:
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Warm spring and summer days
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Office and casual daytime wear
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Anyone who wants a gentle, uplifting scent with great balance
L'Aventure Ciel: Salty-Sweet Elegance
Ciel channels the breezy, semi-aquatic character of Creed Millesime Imperial, but with its own sweet, juicy spin.
Scent Profile:
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Top Notes: Salty marine notes, melon, and citrus
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Heart Notes: Fruity florals with a soft suede texture
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Base Notes: Ambergris, musk, and light woods
Millesime Imperial fans will immediately recognize Ciel's DNA, but this version leans slightly sweeter, placing more emphasis on the juicy fruit aspects than on the mineral and salty tones. It's approachable, refreshing, and subtly luxurious.
Best For:
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Summer outings and beachside evenings
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Warm-weather date nights
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Younger wearers or anyone looking for a relaxed yet refined scent
Performance and Longevity
Despite their lighter nature, both fragrances deliver solid performance for their categories.
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Fraiche: Projects well for the first 1-2 hours, then sits closer to the skin. Lasts around 6-7 hours on skin and longer on clothing.
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Ciel: Slightly more pronounced sillage, with a longevity of around 7-8 hours. Performs well in humid environments.
Their atomizers are efficient, meaning 3-4 sprays provide good coverage without being overwhelming. These are summer scents that aim for breezy elegance, not beast-mode intensity—and that works perfectly for their intended use.
Value for Money
Both Fraiche and Ciel continue Al Haramain’s tradition of excellent quality at accessible prices. Often available for under $50, they offer a strong alternative to their Creed inspirations, which retail for several times more.
Why You Might Prefer These Over Creed:
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You want a lighter version better suited for high heat
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You’re looking for affordable daily wear fragrances with niche vibes
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You appreciate well-blended clones that don’t smell overly synthetic
Final Verdict
Al Haramain L’Aventure Fraiche and Ciel successfully breathe new life into familiar Creed-inspired DNA. While they don’t reinvent the wheel, they reinterpret beloved classics with a focus on freshness, lightness, and summer versatility.
If you love Silver Mountain Water but find it too sharp, Fraiche offers a softer, more citrus-forward experience. If you enjoy the aquatic fruitiness of Millesime Imperial, Ciel provides a smoother, slightly sweeter alternative.
Together, these two releases reaffirm Al Haramain’s place among the best in the affordable luxury fragrance space.
Quick Highlights:
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L'Aventure Fraiche: Sparkling citrus, tea notes, clean and sweet finish
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L'Aventure Ciel: Fruity marine opening, sweet heart, soft musky base
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Performance: Moderate projection, solid longevity for fresh scents
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Best for: Spring & summer wear, casual and semi-formal settings
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Price: Excellent value under $50
Whether you're new to Al Haramain or already a fan, Fraiche and Ciel are worthy additions for any fragrance lover seeking accessible luxury in warmer months.
