French Luxury Lands In Delhi: Baccarat’s Dazzling New Outpost

With India’s luxury market booming, Baccarat’s debut at The Chanakya, New Delhi, marks a defining moment for the country’s luxury decor line.

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  • 7 May '25
  • 1:19 pm by Satarupa Datta

From the radiant chandeliers of Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace to the Maison Baccarat in Paris with Chef Alain Ducasse, the French Crystal House continues to orchestrate a luxury experience of crystal artistry like no other. Renowned for its timeless elegance and innovation, Baccarat redefines contemporary luxury across lighting, barware and dining, fragrance, and beyond. Each piece, handcrafted from luminous clear crystal, is a sculptural marvel, meticulously chiselled by hand to capture and reflect light in dazzling ways. Its iconic design patent is the signature red colour in the crystal, called the ‘golden red’—a rare and vibrant hue achieved by fusing molten crystal with 24-carat gold powder. The result is a bold, radiant expression of craftsmanship and heritage. From Paris to Tokyo, New York to Hong Kong, Baccarat’s distinctive art de vivre unfolds in its maisons, boutiques, restaurants, hotels, and bars—immersive spaces where artistry, emotion, and design converge in truly extraordinary ways. For over 260 years, Baccarat’s timeless creations—crafted in collaboration with visionary artists have produced an enviable mix of ornate architectural details with bespoke clear crystals, embodying a spirit of celebration and joie de vivre at every turn. Marking a new chapter of French elegance in India, the iconic French Maison opens a new flagship store in Delhi’s prestigious Mall, The Chanakya.


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Through the space, the design team has carefully selected materials such as glass mirrors, lacquered panels, and overhead chandeliers. ( Image Credit: Baccarat) 
Through the space, the design team has carefully selected materials such as glass mirrors, lacquered panels, and overhead chandeliers. ( Image Credit: Baccarat)

Baccarat’s storied alliance with India began in 1886 with the opening of its Bombay boutique, captivating royal patrons, including the Maharaja of Kapurthala and those of Baroda. Their palaces shimmered with Baccarat’s crystal artistry—from glassware to grand décor. While an exclusive India Limited Collection is yet to be revealed, the boutique hints at what’s to come. 

 

A Design Journey Inside a Red Jewel Box

The storefront and interiors glow in Baccarat’s signature ‘golden red’—a striking hue created by adding 24-carat gold powder to molten glass, which turns red at 540°C. (Image Credit: Baccarat) 
The storefront and interiors glow in Baccarat’s signature ‘golden red’—a striking hue created by adding 24-carat gold powder to molten glass, which turns red at 540°C. (Image Credit: Baccarat)

The interiors of Delhi’s first-ever Baccarat store, designed by the in-house team, unfold like a curated gallery, bathed in the Maison’s signature ‘golden red’ hue. Delicate mouldings, octagonal wall niches—a nod to the iconic Baccarat chandelier pendant—and a classic black-and-white checkerboard floor evoke timeless elegance. A sleek glass façade invites guests into a space where signature chandeliers shimmer like a constellation above, while sensual red pedestals create striking tablescapes below. Once inside, the all-red exclusive lounge draws you deeper into the world of Baccarat. Rich crimson sofas and a plush three-seater rest atop a scarlet carpet, creating an atmosphere of opulent warmth. Overhead, the Mille Nuits chandelier by Baccarat casts a soft, decadent glow. Anchoring the space is a sculptural oval table adorned with Baccarat’s iconic chessboard, a collectable designed by Dutch designer Marcel Wanders, where crystal pawns meet inlaid marble in a dramatic interplay of form and finesse. 

 

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The storefront and interiors glow in Baccarat’s signature ‘golden red’—a striking hue created by adding 24-carat gold powder to molten glass, which turns red at 540°C. (Image Credit: Baccarat)
The storefront and interiors glow in Baccarat’s signature ‘golden red’—a striking hue created by adding 24-carat gold powder to molten glass, which turns red at 540°C. (Image Credit: Baccarat)

Light becomes a central element in this scenography, enhanced by the interplay of reflections between the chandeliers, mirrors, and glassware. At Maison Baccarat, every detail is thoughtfully placed to be enjoyed and explored with ease.

 

Exploring Baccarat Is A Slow Journey Through 260 Years of Timeless Craftsmanship

The New Antique Collection stands out with its sleek fusion of marble-like elegance and the striking contrast of transparency, opacity, angles, and curves in clear crystal. ( Image Credit: Baccarat)
The New Antique Collection stands out with its sleek fusion of marble-like elegance and the striking contrast of transparency, opacity, angles, and curves in clear crystal. ( Image Credit: Baccarat)

Among the treasures on display is the iconic Harcourt glass, once commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III and recently immortalised in the Netflix series ‘Emily in Paris.’ Pieces from the ‘New Antique Limited Collection’ take over the display table—unique vases and lamps conceived by the visionary Marcel Wanders. Each design shows off a bold new cut pattern and a standout trim with alternating flat and bevelled edges, bouncing light in endless, mesmerising reflections. Each masterpiece tells a story. The ‘Pegasus Horse’ trophy, handcrafted for the ‘Pegasus Cup,’ captures the horse’s power and motion, sculpted from a single block of crystal with stunning precision. 

 

Also read: Unexpected Red Theory: The Power Of Using This Hue In Home Design

The octagonal tray, paired with red Harmonie tumblers and a whiskey decanter, makes a bold statement—perfect for festive toasts and a luxe upgrade to any bar setup. ( Image Credit: Baccarat)
The octagonal tray, paired with red Harmonie tumblers and a whiskey decanter, makes a bold statement—perfect for festive toasts and a luxe upgrade to any bar setup. ( Image Credit: Baccarat)

The curation elegantly honours Baccarat’s collaborations with globally celebrated designers, showcasing signature creations like Philippe Starck’s ‘Talleyrand Collection,’ Virgil Abloh’s avant-garde ‘Crystal Clear’ series, and Arik Levy’s sculptural ‘Tuile de Cristal’—each a testament to the Maison’s enduring dialogue between heritage and contemporary vision.

The 84-light Zénith chandelier, designed by Philippe Starck in the 19th century, has graced palaces and grand homes, with Baccarat’s signature red crystal adding a bold accent to its clear pendants. (Image Credit: Baccarat) 
The 84-light Zénith chandelier, designed by Philippe Starck in the 19th century, has graced palaces and grand homes, with Baccarat’s signature red crystal adding a bold accent to its clear pendants. (Image Credit: Baccarat)

Baccarat’s grand debut in Delhi was marked with the lighting of an 84-light Zénith chandelier designed by Philippe Starck, draped in clear and red crystal. This showstopping installation will be on display at The Chanakya Mall starting from 19th April to 15th May. 

Baccarat, founded in 1764 by King Louis XV in the town of Baccarat in France’s Lorraine region, has long drawn inspiration from the world beyond. As the Maison’s luminous creations found their way across continents, its design language evolved, gracefully infused with artistic influences from Chinese, Japanese, and Islamic traditions, enriching its legacy of timeless elegance. Rather than handing the reins to a single designer, the brand has taken on an orchestral approach, bringing together a symphony of talents, perspectives, and artistic references. ‘This time, it’s a journey we’re setting out on with Indian designers,’ Alexandrine shares, with a glint of excitement in her eye. Alexandrine adds that one might find a radiant Baccarat Ganesh sculpted in clear crystal—an elegant nod to India’s cultural richness. As for the Indian design maestro collaborating with the brand, that reveal is still under wraps.