Musee Baccarat Crystal Museum in Paris



The Musee Baccarat is a museum in Paris dedicated to the fabulous Bacarrat crystal, which has been admired for many years, and now, within an exceptional setting, you can discover the elegance and craftsmanship of pieces dating back to the 1800s.

About the Musee Baccarat



Baccarat, named after Baccarat in the Lorraine region of France where they first established the company, has been embellishing the top tables with their magnificent crystal wares for almost 250 years.
Musee Baccarat Crystal display
With its traditions of excellence, the Baccarat company is still going from strength to strength, and as well as being able to discover the original museum and the factory located in Baccarat, there is also the crystal museum in Paris.

The Musee Baccarat is located in the former private mansion that was known as the Noailles mansion where the muse, Marie-Laure de Noailles used to give magical parties in this elegant place of pomp and tradition, which was dedicated to painters, writers and musicians.

Moving to these new premises in 2003, it was a major step forward for the company who entrusted the whole layout to interior designer Philippe Starck, in order to showcase the ideals and demands of the international luxury brand.

Philippe Starck developed an extravagant and elaborate scheme that would incorporate the gallery, museum and an elegant restaurant in Paris called the Cristal Room Baccarat, while still maintaining the original elegance of the mansion like that of the grand ballroom, which blends perfectly with the crystal displays.
So, it is here that you can discover dazzling special commissions, sets of glasses, decanters, vases and many different decorative objects like a chess set, ornate chair, or chandelier all of exceptional craftsmanship, which reflect the evolution of decorative arts.

You could admire prestigious commissions that were made by heads of states, imperial or royal courts like the Prince of Wales, or by international celebrities such as Josephine Baker.  Yet you could also look at the legendary pieces that were presented during Universal Exhibitions such as the Turkish enamelled mocha coffee set dating from 1878 and an elephant vase dating from 1880 for instance.

There are also limited editions on display at the Musee Baccarat plus specific displays that showcase the skills required for different aspects like cutting, enamelling and gilding, not forgetting the technical feat of glass working including mouth blown stemware.

You can also purchase crystal wares from the Baccarat collection at the boutique, which is also located within the mansion.  However, if you are already lucky enough to possess a Baccarat glassware set, yet unfortunately you have broken a piece, then you may be pleased to know that they have over 200 different glassware set replacements available, with the oldest dating back to 1823.
Musee Baccarat Crystal champagne glasses
Musee Baccarat Crystal table lamps

Visiting the Musee Baccarat Museum in Paris



This crystal museum in Paris is open on a Tuesday through to Saturday from 10am through to 6pm, yet is closed on Sundays, Mondays and on all national French holidays.

The cost of entry is €10 per person as of 2018, but is free to people under the age of 18, and you may also be pleased to know that the Musee Baccarat is accessible to the disabled, plus they can also gain free entry upon providing proof.

Guided tours are also available, but these do need to be booked in advance by email or via telephone on +33 (0) 1 40 22 11 00.

Access to the Musee Baccarat



Now getting the Musee Baccarat is pretty straightforward as it is located on the Place des Etats-Unis within the 16th Arrondissement of Paris and the nearest Metro stations are the Boissiere stop or Kleber stop, both serving line 6.
Musee Baccarat Crystal gifts
Alternatively a little further walk away and you have the Alma-Marceau stop serving line 9, and it is also approximately 500 metres from the Arc de Triomphe at the Place Charles de Gaulle - Etoile, which has a Metro Station serving lines 1, 2 and 6.

This museum is also a similar distance from the famous Avenue des Champs Elysees, plus there are many other tourist attractions in Paris located nearby such as the Musee Guimet and the Palais de Tokyo for a complete change of scene.

In addition, other forms of public transport include the Bus lines 22, 30, 32, 52, 63, 72, 82 and 92, along with the Noctilien Night Bus Service via lines N53, plus there is also a Velib station for the self service bike hire scheme located within walking distance as well.