Inside the Baccarat Bash

The mansion of Marie-Laure de Noailles, one of the 20th century’s most renowned benefactors of the arts along with her husband Charles, is a fabled piece of real estate. Situated on the Place des États Unis in the tony 16th arrondissement, the hotel particulier is a sprawling pile with a ballroom, grand staircase, and even grander frescos and ornamental details. It’s here where Baccarat, the French luxury crystal house, first opened the Maison Baccarat in the early aughts, with a museum and Cristal Room restaurant designed by Philippe Starck. Now, after a dramatic renovation, the historic Maison Baccarat has been reborn in a partnership with legendary chef Alain Ducasse.

To celebrate, Baccarat and Ducasse threw a party on October 10 called the Bal des Lumières. As to be expected, there was a star-studded guest list, with celebrities rubbing shoulders with the 500+ guests, taking selfies in front of the crystal creations (and on the dance floor while the DJ spun the soundtrack). The partial list, for those who are intrigued by the A-listers: Harry Nuriev, Marcel Wanders, Dorothée Boissier, Jaime Hayon, Kévin Germanier, Clara Daguin, Thebe Magugu, Bruno Moinard, the singer Elia, Willy Cartier, Nine D’Urso, José Levy, and Michael Burke. Ducasse himself was spotted in fine form.

Here’s what’s new inside the mansion: Baccarat commissioned top names in contemporary art and design to inject new energy into the sumptuous spaces. The idea is to channel the building’s history and heritage as a home to “the finest finest parties of the cultural avant-garde in the 1920s.” So when you walk in the entrance, you’ll be struck by the new look by artist Harry Nuriev. The walls, featuring engravings in stone, represent the work of master crystal artisans. Heritage pieces from Baccarat’s collection are showcased in fridges that are meant to allude to preserving DNA. Then there’s a “chapel of light,” by stained-glass artist Pierre Tatin, and the Monumental Vase at the foot of the stairs by designer Marcel Wanders. There are also daring oak sculptures by Jean-Guillaume Mathiaut.

The Alain Ducasse Baccarat restaurant serves a menu created by Alain Ducasse, Christophe Saintagne (previously at Papillon and the Plaza Athénée), and the young chef Robin Schroeder. And at the Bar Midi-Minuit, the cocktails are by top mixologist Margot Lecarpentier. The bar area also morphs into a tea lounge during the day.

This new partnership aims to make the Maison Baccarat a lively, cultural destination with a program of artistic events hosted in the ballroom once a month, including concerts, conferences, and performances in diverse artistic fields. The ballroom can be fully privatized with custom menus for cocktail parties and events.

Note that the garden will open in the springtime.

DETAILS

DUCASSE BACCARAT
11 place des États-Unis, 16th
The restaurant is open every day for lunch and dinner
Lunch menu 90€, Dinner menu 240€
The bar is open every day.