Le Jardin: we tested Alain Ducasse's new bucolic terrace restaurant at Baccarat

The emblematic Baccarat townhouse unveils Le Jardin, Alain Ducasse's new green (and gourmet) bubble in Paris. A verdant terrace, bar, orangery and seasonal cuisine offer a stylish, bucolic interlude in the heart of the 16th arrondissement.

It's a discreet, hushed luxury that whispers more than it flaunts. A green interlude, tucked away in the legendary Baccarat townhouse, out of sight between rue de l'Amiral d'Estaing and place des États-Unis(Paris 16th). Le Jardin,Alain Ducasse's latest creation, combines a terrace restaurant, a bar and a private orangery, all wrapped up in a seasonal menu that breathes fresh herbs and the elegance of a cuisine that takes its time. An open-air refuge ideal for an exceptional bucolic break just a stone's throw from the Golden Triangle.

An eco-conscious garden and an open-air table

The experience begins even before the table. You walk through the Baccarat setting, guided by a dialogue between crystal and contemporary art, to a luminous "chapel" designed by Pierre Tatin.

Le Jardin appears as an intimate oasis conceived by landscape designer Jérémie Attali: a nurturing, eco-conscious plant cocoon, where a permaculture vegetable garden adjoins a (future) hedge of white roses pierced by a single red - a nod to the Baccarat pampille - and a small French-garden-style pond. In the shade of an omnipresent green, some fifty place settings stand just a few centimetres away from the herbs that will grow on tomorrow's plates. The promise? Go from crystal to chlorophyll, in the blink of an eye. And breathe... literally.

A sunny, generous terrace kitchen

Le Jardin embodies the sunny, (more) accessible and convivial version of the Ducasse Baccarat universe: freer in spirit, more family-friendly too, echoing the hushed gastronomy of the upstairs restaurant. Here, the cuisine is open to all rhythms: casual lunch, afternoon tea under the parasols, impromptu afterwork, al fresco dining or Sunday brunch. A lively, welcoming table, with no compromise on taste.

On the plate? A cheerful, seasonal menu, brought to life by Christophe Saintagne and Robin Schroeder, accomplices of the Michelin-starred chef. Turnips and tuna à la rose Baccarat set the ball rolling. A plate that should delight ceviche lovers: pep in color and flavor, between the crunch of the turnip, the tenderness of the tuna, and that floral breath that floats without ever taking over. On the vegetable side, tender and slightly sweet zucchini play with feta and bottarga in a masterful balance of salt and milk. Raw white asparagus is served with an olive condiment. Nothing superfluous, everything is there.

Next comes the blue lobster French toast, our favorite of the menu! The tender, generously portioned crustacean is anchored by the crisp, almost caramelized bread. An ultra-addictive iodized treat for seafood lovers.

On the meat side, the barbecue spirit hovers all the more: coquelet marinated in yogurt, shoulder of lamb confit, Landes duck breast to share... AndJersiaise beef entrecôte, cooked to perfection, served with a flowery Béarnaise sauce that coats the meat with an unexpected floral delicacy. The side dishes are just as tasty and unpretentious: steamed green vegetables, giant beans with orange sauce or a heart of lettuce with Caesar sauce.

At the end of the course, there's no sweet overkill, just desserts, great seasonal classics. The apple-pear tart - thin pastry, just the right amount of stewed fruit - is served by the slice on a silver platter, as is the rhubarb clafoutis. And ice cream sundaes, like the vanillaaffogato that melts in a hot espresso, and especially the strawberry sundaes with herb sorbet and raw cream - fresh, tangy, smooth and light - that sweeps everything off its feet. A signature dessert in the making.

An inventive, herbaceous cocktail menu

What would a summer terrace be without cocktails? The menu, designed by Margot Lecarpentier, deserves more than a detour. The Norrois Spritz (Saint Germain, Xérès, Suze, Poiret) is lively and refreshing, yet full of nuance - an auteur spritz with subtle bitters. Le Candelabre du Tsar, a favorite mocktail, blends non-alcoholic rosé, verjuice, red fruits, vanilla, geranium vinegar and cucumber in an almost botanical harmony. Other creations are daring: basil, red bell pepper, hay, fromage blanc... And they work. Each glass has substance, relief and momentum.

You can sip them in the sun or at the Bar, which opens onto Le Jardin, where the walls set with crystal rocks and a Sun King chandelier diffuse a softly liquorish golden light.

L'Orangerie: the plant alcove to privatize

At the far end of this 16th-century Eden, the Orangerie reveals itself as an elegant alcove with warm tones and a confidential atmosphere. Available for private dining, it welcomes the most intimate tables under the glow of a Zenith Faunacrystoplis chandelier by Jaime Hayon, with a dedicated menu: Pyrenean trout, sweetbread puff pastry, confit of suckling lamb...

Le Jardin is an address apart, alive and nurturing, where you don't just come for lunch or dinner, but to experience a place, a season, an art of living. A clear yet thoughtful cuisine, a setting that breathes, a team that smiles...

Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, please drink responsibly.

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.