Thursday, April 10, 2008

A piece of Baccarat


OK, today let me take you to... the Baccarat house, the famous French crystal maker founded in 1764, where I was today. I know what you're going to say - especially you phx-cdg! -, I get to go to more places than the "average Pierre"... But it's actually not true ; anybody can go there and have dinner in their fabulous crystal room - redecorated by Philip Stark, s'il vous plaît!. Anybody can also visit the boutique, the gallery-museum and the grand ballroom of exceptional craftsmanship (where I took this photo.) Here, I chose to post this one because I thought it was more mysterious! Needless to say that all chandeliers there are made of crystal.

61 comments:

  1. Eric, just when we all need a dash of Parisian glamour, we can depend on you! Thank you for the lovely photo, and your wonderful eye!

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  2. I like this much better than the foie gras! I bet it even tastes better.

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  3. Oh how i adore crystal. I feel you have posted this for me, Eric, to celebrate my little sojourn to Paree (all will be revealed at Cheltenham) ! What a pretty shot this is too. I am very jealous that you are there. Is it far from where i am, at the Tower? he he .... ;)

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  4. Help me out here. Back in the '80s I went to Baccarat on Rue de Paradis. The display was breathtaking! Especially the Royal goblets and such.

    Recently, I noticed Baccarat near the Madeline.

    Are both of these places still open? Or has one replaced the other?

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  5. Wow, magnificent! I like a lot your choice and also so much the other photo (in the making of). The Baccarat jewellerys (and products in general) are pure beauty. Very refined.
    I always wonder how you manage to be invited in so many interesting places... !!

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  6. You have a BORING LIFE Eric!!!!!
    je ne dirais rien de plus. Mais quand même... :p

    I really like the picture.
    How does your colleagues react when you take a picture of all the places where you go?? Maybe you have no colleague. LOL

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  7. corinne: Because Eric is an interesting man, right? ;)

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  8. Guille: Oh, he has. One of them posted here. :)

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  9. Hooray - no more foie gras! I LOVE Baccarat!!!!!! I had no idea that you could eat there!! I simply cannot wait to have tea there - the way it's described sounds awesome (I am wiping tears of joy from my cheek as I type :))
    Thank you so much Eric for telling us about it.

    OMG Lynn - are you in Paris???? Do tell - I'm off to CDP for details!

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  10. Guille: I saw your picture of the Eiffel Tower at Lynn's Cheltenham page - you have talent! And the same goes for you, Lynn, I looked through some of your watercolors and you are skilled! Really. It seems like almost everyone among the visitors here have some artistic talent or other ... or knows how to appreciate art at least (well, obviously, but still!),

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  11. Eric does have colleagues. But, he has no peer.

    Lovely, beautiful photos. J'aime crystal.

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  12. Guille: you made me laugh out loud!

    Jeff: you made me smile.

    Eric: you made my day.

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  13. Love the "mysterious" crystal photo! I'm so excited to know that I can visit this place when I'm next in Paris. Not sure if I'll be able to afford to eat in the fabulous cystal room (with the dollar sinking daily and all), but I will definitely visit the boutique and ballroom. Thanks for sharing a bit of Baccarat luxury with us!

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  14. Such luxury and beauty!!

    I once visited the Waterford Crystal Factory in Ireland and was similarly overwhelmed by the absolute beauty of the crystal chandeliers everywhere.

    Unfortunately, they are just not part of this girl's budget.....Besides, then it would just become tres passe!

    Beautiful photo as always, Eric!

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  15. You DO get to go to more places,Eric,but you have the curiosity to do it! Yes, anyone can but let's put it this way, the "average Joe" in NYC hasn't been to the Statue of Liberty either, and they have 1,000 reasons why not!
    My goal is to go to every museum in Paris before I quit the airlines, and I foolishly have been holding off on this museum.

    Michael, thanks for asking! This has THANKFULLY been my week off so I haven't been affected by the cancellations. I fly a 767 to Paris from NYC, but I have to commute to NYC from PHX to GET to work. That's when cancellations affect me.All the planes out of PHX are MD80's, the planes in question, and noone is getting out of here on AA. How can I get on a plane to go to work when there are none? I usually go to work nonstop on Jetblue from here for free, but NOT WHEN the planes are full. I'm praying all will be ok on Sunday because I have a Paris trip on Monday and 2 more in a row after that.If I am not in NYC, that is just my tough luck and I won't get paid. AND, I will be disciplined. Glamourous, huh?

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  16. ...ah the bringer of light. Liberace would be pleased to add this to his candelabra collection and would undoubtedly say (if he were still around)..."I wish my brother George were here!"

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  17. Eric the minute I saw the lamp in the photo I knew it had the touch of Philippe Starck. I'm a fan of his work and he is totatlly into Baccarat.
    I'm glad I had the chance to see his designs in person here, because he signs the decoration of one of the newest and finest hotels in Rio at Ipanema beach.

    Has anyone seen his work at Lan China? This place is a mix of bar, lounge and restaurant in China for very rich people. Take a look at the black Baccarat he use there.

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  18. Phx it sounds tough. The funny part is hear you saying how you go to work.

    Most people get the bus or the metro. You get the Jetblue!

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  19. PHX, I hope you get to go to work. I've been hearing about all this on the news. Surely we want the planes to be safe--especially the ones YOU fly on! But I'd hate for you to miss a trip to Paris, my friend.

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  20. I love Eric's Baccarat AND Burt's Bacharach (the temptation was just too great)!

    But I'll resist making all of the corny references to Burt's songs when he walked in from the rain and into the Baccarat store, saw this crystal chandelier and sang, "Raindrops keep fallin' on my head" and "This guy's in love with you".

    Ok, I couldn't resist.

    By the way PHX-CDG, "Do you know the way to San Jose?"

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  21. I just lost this huge thank you to Monica and Petra when I stopped and went to Monica's Lan China link. What do I see when I got back?Michael's sing-a-long above. You are too funny.
    Unfortunately, I do not know the way to San Jose because I do not know what I even did yesterday.(big clue to my age, both that, and I can sing all the words to the song---you CAN remember the past,tho, right oldman Lincoln?

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  22. Yeah, phx, the MD 80 conundrum is a problem. Will AA get it figured out? My flight á Paris is on...hmm, I'll need to check.

    Well, the Bush administration totally f....ed up again. The FAA sat on its butt and ignored its responsibility, and now everyone has to catch up with inspections that should have been a routine requirement. Thanks, George, here's another fine mess you've gotten us into.

    From Baccarat crystal to Bush. It gives me the bends. Oxygen! Nitrogen! Please! Maybe I just need sleep.

    Or a kiss.

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  23. Michael: "This guy's in love with you". Hmm. I love that song and Eric, I adore crystal chandeliers; they remind me of my childhood. Every afternoon when I was tiny my grandmother made me take an afternoon nap in the lounge, listening to music and looking at the chandelier. The ultimate form of relaxation for me. I lived with my grandmother until I was six. She was a wonderful woman. She was 60 years old when I was born.

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  24. Quick note: I have to go to Trouville today (the news is not too good on the "aunty front") but I just wanted to let you know that the next PDP picnic will take place either on the 6 or 7th of may. It's in the middle of the week - not very handy for those who work the day after, but we have many holidays in May this year and I will take advantage of them to go away from beautiful Paris!

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  25. Hey, Michael, I know the way to San Jose. But after seeing that fiasco of a torch relay in San Francisco, today I can tell you right now, what the world needs now is love sweet love. Really.

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  26. While I will never be there to enjoy dinner, your post and narrative reminded me of the places we have been where the rich and famous have sulked. One that stands to mind is the famous, "Grand Hotel" on Mackinac Island (part of Michigan). I had breakfast there with my wife and children. Nice place. But not quite the same as your featured place.

    Abraham Lincoln in Brookville, Ohio

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  27. Eric,
    Wishing you and the fam resources and comfort surrounding your aunt's health.
    The exposure on this picture is great. Wouldn't you hate to be the person who must keep this gleaming--so many faceted surfaces!
    . . .Michael. . .groan. You are so fun to have around when you can't resist! And, Tomate, I agree! Love, sweet love.
    -Kim
    Seattle Daily Photo

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  28. Eric I wish all goes well with your aunt.

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  29. Best wishes to your dear Auntie, Eric. I know you are very fond of her.

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  30. I am joining to Kim, Lynn and Monica's warm wishes, Eric.

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  31. Your photos are intriguing-they always make me want to read your post.I loved clicking on the grand ballroom link & finding the chandelier spinning around the cieling.It was a nice surprise to find.;)

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  32. Eric - along with everyone else, best of wishes for your Aunt. . . I will be in Paris the first week of May. Can't wait to vist the Baccarat Museum along with a zillion other places! What Jeff says is so true - perhaps many colleagues - but no peer when it comes to revealing the sweetness and reality of Paris everyday as seen through your eyes! Thank you.

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  33. The Baccarat House what a wonderful place to visit. If I were to have a wedding reception I would diffently have it in the Ball Room. Never seen another room quite so lovely especially with the crystal Chandelier. Awesome Elaine Cooke

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  34. It's not looking like i can join the picnic, unless things change before then :( i wish you all a great time though.

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  35. Best wishes to you Aunt from me, too.

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  36. Love and comfort to you and yours, Eric. Best wishes.

    I will miss the picnic. Who's going to set up a live video feed?

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  37. Best wishes with votre famille. Always difficult.

    Good job on the picnic decision. Hey, Jeanne, that's the first week of May, right?

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  38. Best wishes to your aunt Eric, I hope she will be fine.

    Lynn, you HAVE to come...Tu veux te fais désirer?! I'm sure you can.
    Petrea, if I buy a new camera, well I'll do it!


    Jeff, I hope Eric didn't thwart your plans about the pic nic! Is it still okay for you?

    I don't remember who spoke about the Caviar d'aubergine but I'm such a fan that I will bring a jar of it and maybe tapenade and caviar de tomate too for the pic nic. It's so good to make slices of toasts with it!

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  39. Monica, thank you for showing us the black crystal. I didn't know that there was such a thing. I have some black pearls, black jade, black onyx, and black diamonds. When I get rich, I'll by some black crystal.

    Jeff, you're funny -- "Or a kiss" Good one!

    Mme Benaut, I've loved your childhood story about you and your grandma. I could invision it, very descriptive.

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  40. Hah! The way the other half lived! And sometimes still live... not me...

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  41. Eric, sorry about your aunt !!!
    I love both photos from Baccarats. But this black one is more exclusive. I really like the angle.
    I think Baccarat crystal is marvelous, but even if I could afford it, I wouldn't want it all over my home. I would love a set of wine glasses though.
    Sefe journey !

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  42. Love sweet love to Eric's Aunt.

    Who will be bringing the Baccarat wine glasses to the picnic?

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  43. Eric, best wishes to your aunt from me as well...

    Is anyone who frequents the site welcome to attend the picnic? My boyfriend and I will be in Paris at that time and I would love to meet those of you who will be there!

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  44. I might come but not 100% sure yet...

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  45. Hi Jeff - it is the first week, thank you for asking - I will be arriving from Boston via Amsterdam on Sunday the 4th to the Parisian warmth and light and all things good! We still have patches of snow here, in New Hampshire!

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  46. I join the others in wishing the best for your aunt as well. And I don't think I've said it, but the chandelier picture is lovely. I love chandeliers; whenever I can afford to live on my own, I'll definitely try to get at least one ... but one that might be a bit cheaper than the Baccarat. Heh. :) They are beautiful though.

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  47. justine: You'll have to ask ERic, but I think so. :)

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  48. Justine, don't ask...just turn up :). I am sure you will be welcome.

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  49. Eric - I'm thinking of you and your aunt and sending all best wishes.

    Monica - I loved that link - I've never seen anything like it - beautiful!

    Guille - I was already sad that I won't be at the picnic, but after your post about bringing caviar des aubergines, I am now crying!! Boo hoo pour moi! I will be in Paris in late October through the beginning of November - I hope we can meet and have some then :)

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  50. Or maybe not!!!
    If I am there, we can always sit int he corner and have our own picnic ;)
    You see, unlike you, I invited myself!

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  51. Ah crystal. As you know, I'm reading Vigee Lebrun's memoirs and I am at the part where she said, "At dessert, on the table were put crystal goblets full of diamonds, which were served to the ladies by the spoonful." Wow, that must have looked very beautiful.

    Lynn, I told one of your jokes yesterday and another one today. Never stop, we all love them.

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  52. Hi, I'm just back. It's been really exhausting, but my aunt was finally better than what I expected (well, still in the hospital and very weak, but not almost dying like they said she was the beginning of the week!

    Thank you for your wishes. I'm realistic, I know she won't last very long, but sharing my little trips to Trouville with you makes it like she's almost part of the PDP community ;)

    Thank you all, I really appreciate ;)

    Now I HAVE to go to bed. Will have more time this WE.

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  53. Eric, glad to hear your aunt is a little better. It's though when advanced age comes...
    Of course she's part of the PDP community!

    BTW, I believe anyone who follows PDP is welcome at the picnic. I've never been to one myself cause I haven't been in Paris at the time, but I know this crowd here is a very warm and welcoming one!

    Phx, Lois and Pont Girl, glad you enjoyed the link. The black baccarat is just stunning.

    And finally, I wish you all the best time at the picnic. But I have to echo Pont Girl: boo hoo pour moi for not being able to attend it!

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  54. YES, YES, YES...anyone is invited. The more the merrier.

    Eric, you know my thoughts about your Aunt so am glad that you were able to get away to see her and spend some time together. She probably whispered in your ear, "Now get back home and post another photo. I'll be alright!"

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  55. Beautiful comment, Michael. Sure Eric has appreciated. I had something very closed in mind yesterday evening but was too tired to express it as clearly as you did (my English is sometimes pretty far from me!).

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  56. "average Pierre"...hehehe, that's cute. is there actually a saying like that in French (equivalent to average Joe)?

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  57. Has a Phantom of the Opera feel to it... I LOVE it!

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