The Baccarat Crystal Palace

This former mansion, which has become the headquarters for the Baccarat Museum-Gallery in Paris, once belonged to Viscountess Marie-Laure de Noailles, a patroness of the surrealist artists in the 1920s. Renowned French designer Philippe Starck did an extensive renovation and redesign of the building, infusing the decor with his own sense of surrealism. The building is part museum and part showroom whose décor is all razzle-dazzle, with a touch of quirkiness. In Philippe Starck’s own words, “Baccarat is a world of illusion originating from the glitter of light on the facets of cut crystal, and it led me to dream up a crystal palace where everything is possible."

Entry to the Gallery-Museum from the Place des Etats-Unis in the 16th arrondissement

(Valet parking is available.)

Baccarat Chandelier

On entering the building, at the end of the ground-floor passageway, a fully-lit crystal chandelier hangs partially submerged in a glass tank of water. I couldn’t figure out what it was doing there, unless it was a demonstration on how to clean a chandelier by dunking it in a tank of water. Silly me. It is an art installation by Philippe Starck, but why the tank has wheels on a track is still a mystery.

One of two fireplaces in the entry passageway made entirely of mirrors 

Another bit of whimsy from Philippe Starck

Red carpet with twinkling fiber-optics

The entry stairs up to the boutique

If areas in this building seem shadowy, it is by design. Darker areas are punctuated by light to add interest and emphasis.

One of two magnificent crystal urns in the entry way

It has a white resin oval on which there is a barely distinguishable woman’s face. 

Calling this a “floor lamp with red hurricane lamps” doesn’t seem to do it justice. A “floor candelabra” that is much less ornamental costs around $45,000 in the Baccarat catalogue. I can't explain the child-size chair, so I won't even try.

The Boutique with a forty-two-foot-long mirrored Viewing Table

The bling in this room is dazzling.

Mirrored tables help display Baccarat's exclusive wares.

Founded in 1764, Baccarat crystal is among France's most prestigious exports. The crystal is sold at exclusive Baccarat boutiques around the world, as well as at high-end stores such as Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale's, where their elegant wine glasses start at about $60 apiece and go up from there. These butterflies on the Viewing Table cost around $115.  

The new headquarters is meant not only to show off the company’s distinguished history, but also to reflect an updated image for the 240-year-old company. The company wants to broaden its appeal from sales of crystal as a wedding gift staple to a glamorous component of modern entertaining. To further broaden its appeal, the company introduced a highly successful line of crystal rings, bracelets and necklaces, which now accounts for more than 25 percent of total sales. 

An exquisite floor lamp in one corner of the boutique

A Baccarat chandelier in the boutique

The Viewing Table as seen from the opposite end of the room.
The Sales Associate  in the upper left hand corner never let me out of her sight. She followed me into each of the next 2 viewing rooms.

A display case featuring vases

Close-up spiral vase    

Display case with tall vases

Close-up of one of the tall vases

Display case with crystal treasures

Crystal center pieces

Tall crystal centerpiece

A fun crystal cookie tree

Second boutique, jewelry-viewing room

Third boutique, Game room/library

Vase with orchids & books

Up a sweeping marble staircase to the grand foyer

Designer Starck created a satin and crystal chair 6 ½ feet tall.

A massive 157-light antique Baccarat chandelier hanging above, turning slowly, lights the stone stairs leading to the second floor.

Up the staircase, there is a restaurant called the Baccarat Cristal Room, now reputedly one of the best in Paris, certainly one of the most expensive.  The coveted stainless steel tables set with Baccarat candlesticks and glasses are booked about two months in advance. I didn’t plan on lunch in this resto, and the young hostess assumed as much because she barely noticed me. 

The Museum-Gallery is also on this floor, and photos aren’t allowed, but at least no one followed me through the museum rooms replete with incredibly valuable creations. The crystal museum showcases chandeliers and goblets crafted over the centuries for kings, popes and the ultra rich and famous. There are cases displaying rare and/or historic Baccarat items: 12-foot candelabras ordered by Czar Nicholas II; the crystal and glassware with monograms and personal insignias commissioned by Aristotle and Jackie Onassis, and by Prince Rainier III for his wedding to Grace Kelly; plain crystal plates favored by Coco Chanel; wedding tableware made for Josephine Baker. And there are lavish crystal tables and chairs custom ordered by 19th-century maharajas that were delivered on an elephant's back. I especially enjoyed the room with the table set with crystal glassware used by well-known personages such as Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Pope John Paul II, Grace Kelly and the Shah of Iran.

FYI: "Baccarat. Les 250 ans" at Maison Baccarat’s Museum-Gallery in Paris celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2014. The special exhibition lasts until January 24, 2015. Admission is 7 euros. The Baccarat web site:   www.us.baccarat.com or www.baccarat.fr