In the heart of the verdant estate of Hyatt Regency Chantilly, nestled beside the regal grounds of Château de Chantilly, there exists a bar that is anything but ordinary. Le Condé is not simply a place to drink—it’s an experience, a lush escape into opulence, eccentricity, and storytelling. It’s where the historical grandeur of French nobility meets the modern cocktail scene, wrapped in velvet textures and crowned with a daring sense of style.
Designed by London-based creative Marçal Prats, the visual identity of Le Condé is as layered and rich as the punches it serves. This is branding not just as decoration, but as an immersive continuation of a story—one rooted in the flamboyant spirit of Louis, Prince de Condé, the 17th-century noble whose love for the arts and theatrics made Chantilly a cultural rival to Versailles.
A Bar With a Noble Past and a Playful Present
Le Condé draws its name and atmosphere from Louis II de Bourbon, more famously known as the Grand Condé. A cousin to the King of France, he was as much a patron of the arts as he was a general. In his court, poets, painters, and performers flourished under chandeliers and along echoing halls.
Today, Le Condé—the bar—reimagines that courtly exuberance with a twist of modern revelry. The mood is decadent yet approachable: a plush, felted lounge where candlelight glows, conversation flows, and the cocktail menu shifts with the seasons. It is a space where tradition is honored, but not confined. Here, innovation and whimsy are welcomed guests.
Typography That Whispers (and Sometimes Shouts) Baroque
At the heart of Le Condé’s visual language is its typography—a curated blend of historical homage and present-day refinement. The typefaces chosen are not simply fonts; they are characters in the story, each with their own flair.
Dulcinea, a sophisticated revival of Baroque typographic style, lends an intricate, ornate feel that evokes 17th-century manuscripts or theatrical playbills. Yet, despite its flourishes, it remains legible and contemporary, making it a fitting embodiment of the Le Condé duality: old-world soul with modern sensibility.
This is paired with Revista Inline by Latinotype—a typeface that balances the baroque drama of Dulcinea with a structural elegance. The contrast between their personalities creates a dynamic interplay, echoing the tension between regal restraint and creative excess.
Zahrah, from Indian Type Foundry, introduces a whisper of French fashion chic. Its sleek elegance ensures readability while contributing to the luxurious undertone of the entire identity system. Together, these fonts form a typographic symphony that is at once stately, eccentric, and unmistakably stylish.
A Colour Palette Fit for a Salon
Every sophisticated establishment needs a palette that reflects its mood and philosophy. For Le Condé, this came in the form of two richly evocative tones: Condé Diamond Pink and Chantilly Forest Green.
Diamond Pink, with its rosy warmth, recalls both flushed cheeks after a strong punch and the gilded walls of Rococo salons. It’s feminine without being delicate, assertive yet playful—a color that seems to laugh quietly in the corner of a well-attended soirée.
In contrast, Chantilly Forest Green brings depth and grounding. This shade channels the surrounding estate’s natural lushness, echoing forested canopies and velvet armchairs. Together, these two colors set a tone that is lavish yet cultivated, indulgent without tipping into gaudy.
A Design Language That Curates an Experience
Le Condé’s identity extends far beyond menus and signage. It is a fully curated experience—from the first glance at a monogrammed napkin to the subtle curve of type on a cocktail list. The branding doesn’t simply tell you what Le Condé is; it draws you into its world.
The logo, refined and subtly flamboyant, acts as a seal of nobility reimagined. It honors history while refusing to be trapped in the past. In the same way, the design elements throughout the space—be they coasters, stationery, or bespoke packaging—evoke a lifestyle more than a product. Every piece, however small, plays its part in maintaining the illusion that you’ve entered a world slightly askew from reality. A world where the past converses with the present, preferably over a glittering punch bowl.
Signature Cocktails as Seasonal Narratives
Le Condé’s bar menu is as carefully composed as its design. With seasonal punches and original recipes, the drinks themselves become part of the storytelling. Each concoction is a sensory tribute—to the shifting weather, to historical tastes, or to sheer invention.
The variety ensures that no visit is ever quite the same, just as the Prince de Condé’s legendary soirées never repeated themselves. This approach reinforces the brand’s most compelling idea: that refinement and playfulness are not mutually exclusive. Instead, they thrive together when crafted with care and clarity.
A Modern Court of Indulgence
What Marçal Prats and the Hyatt Regency Chantilly have achieved with Le Condé is nothing short of a modern court for those seeking pleasure through the lens of elegance. It is a salon of spirited indulgence, where identity is not static, but atmospheric—flowing through visuals, tastes, and tactile experiences.
By invoking a historical figure known for his cultural audacity and combining that spirit with an impeccable design sensibility, Le Condé stands as a testament to the power of identity when it is rooted in both story and sensation.
So whether you come for the cocktails, the conversation, or the quiet thrill of being somewhere deeply considered, one thing is certain: at Le Condé, you are not merely served—you are transported.
