A FEAST FOR THE EYES: Baccarat — which last year brought in Alain Ducasse to transform and modernize its landmark town house on Place des États-Unis in Paris — can now boast that it houses the “Most Beautiful Restaurant in the World.”

The Alain Ducasse Baccarat restaurant, which opened in September 2024, was awarded a 2025 Prix Versailles, the World Award for Architecture and Design, at a ceremony Thursday night in the French capital.

Laurence Nicolas, chief executive officer of Baccarat, expressed gratitude that the jury recognized “the commitment we share with Alain Ducasse: to create experiences that embody our vision of French art de vivre.”

According to her, the restaurant “is rooted in boldness and creative freedom, designed to offer moments that awaken the emotions and reflect a true spirit of generosity.”

Indeed, there isn’t a typical chandelier in sight. Instead, dozens of droplet-shaped light fixtures lord over diners — along with hundreds of human-like figures, each unique, carved from oak by French artist Jean-Guillaume Mathiaut, whom Ducasse dubbed “the Brancusi of wood.”

The little statues partially shield the Baroque grandeur of the room, letting the eye wander from the block-like, almost pixelated creations, and out to the plane trees in the square.

The restaurant was designed by Aliénor Béchu and her teams at Volume ABC, in close collaboration with the famous chef and Baccarat artisans.

Members of the jury for the 2025 Prix Versailles, now in its 11th edition, include couturier Iris van Herpen, pianist Lang Lang and actress Emma Watson.

Awards were also handed to museums, hotels, airports, passenger stations, sports venues and retail emporiums, with Tiffany & Co. winning a Prix Versailles for its Milan store on Via Montenapoleone, signed by American architect Peter Marino.

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