Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Aug 04, 2025

Pierre Cardin’s Retro-Futuristic Bubble Palace in Cannes Is On the Market

Pierre Cardin’s Retro-Futuristic Bubble Palace in Cannes Is On the Market

The otherworldly estate owned by the late fashion designer mimics prehistoric cave dwellings with a Space Age twist.

On a rocky outcrop of the Massif de L’Esterel mountain range on the French Riveria, the iconic Le Palais Bulles, or Bubble Palace, has resurfaced on the market following the recent passing of its owner, legendary designer Pierre Cardin.



The 13,000-square-foot Le Palais Bulles is embedded into a cliff at at Théoule-sur-Mer near Cannes.



The 2.1-acre property is spread out across six levels and includes gardens and three pools.

Cardin, who purchased the property in 1992 as a private events venue, was the second owner of the palatial property comprising a 13,000-square-foot luxury home with 29 rooms, a 500-seat open-air amphitheater overlooking the Mediterranean, a reception hall, and other amenities housed within a series of interconnected domes that inspired its name.



The cave-like domes were built from reinforced wire mesh spray-coated with a concrete mix.



"Its curves and its softness," said Cardin in Jean-Paul Hesse’s book Le Palais Bulles de Pierre Cardin, "makes me see the shapes of a woman, of a mother. That’s why I feel good there."



Le Palais Bulles includes 11 baths and 10 bedrooms, each individually decorated by different contemporary artists including the likes of Jerome Tisserand, Daniel You, and François Chauvin.

Constructed over 14 years and completed in 1989, the curvaceous compound was the magnum opus of avant-garde Hungarian architect Antti Lovag, who designed the home for one of his biggest patrons, French industrialist Pierre Bernard. Lovag’s interest in spherical architecture stemmed from his belief that straight lines are an "aggression against nature" and that curves were better suited to the mobility of man.



Le Palais Bulles was originally built for Pierre Bernard, who also owned the Maison Bernard, Lovag’s first "bubble" house in Théoule-sur-Mer. Unlike Le Palais Bulles, Maison Bernard is open to the public for guided visits and hosts an artists’ residence program.



The window pictured here next to the pool slides down to follow Lovag's concept of continuous circulation.



Lovag's celebration of circulation and motion is also represented in this three-tiered waterfall feature.

Although Cardin never lived in the sculptural house since he owned other property nearby, the legendary designer told the French newspaper Le Figaro that he had "known nothing but happiness [here], including magical evenings and unforgettable parties. I’ve hosted many celebrities here."



The central palm terrace is perfectly positioned for views of the sea and for hosting outdoor events.



After purchasing the property, Cardin added a 500-seat outdoor amphitheater that overlooks the Mediterranean. A large reception hall is located beneath the amphitheater.

In addition to hosting star-studded after-parties for the Cannes Film Festival and major fashion galas such as the Dior Cruise Collection 2016, Cardin rented out Le Palais Bulles for commercials and other events for approximately €30,000 a day.



A peek inside the large living room furnished with custom fabric furniture built by Claude Prévost.



The furnishings and artworks, which include custom creations by Lovag and Cardin, mimic the curvaceous architecture and are included in the sale.



The labyrinthine interior has few dividing walls and doors to allow rooms to merge together.



A look down one of the serpentine stairways.

"Clinging to the rocky Estérel, this palace has become my own bit of paradise," said Cardin. "Its cellular forms have long reflected the outward manifestations of the image of my creations. It is a museum where I exhibit the works of contemporary designers and artists."



Red Carrera marble floors used throughout match the domes’ dusty pink hue.



Elliptical and circular openings throughout the home frame views of the Mediterranean.



The colored fiberglass doors are also rounded.



A dome-shaped dining module swings open to connect with the outdoors.

Le Palais Bulles was originally listed in 2016 with an asking price of €350 million, which made it one of the most expensive properties in Europe at the time. The current price is undisclosed.



The porthole-like windows stem from Lovag's studies in naval architecture.



Skylights inserted into the tops of the domes can be opened up for access to the roof.



The French Ministry of Culture has listed Le Palais Bulles among its national historic monuments since 1999.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Pilots Call for Mental Health Support Without Stigma
All Five Trapped Miners Found Dead After El Teniente Mine Collapse
Ong Beng Seng Pleads Guilty in Corruption Case Linked to Former Singapore Transport Minister
BP’s Largest Oil and Gas Find in 25 Years Uncovered Offshore Brazil
Italy Fines Shein One Million Euros for Misleading Sustainability Claims
JPMorgan and Coinbase Unveil Partnership to Let Chase Cardholders Buy Crypto Directly
Declassified Annex Links Soros‑Affiliated Officials and Clinton Campaign to ‘Russiagate’ Narrative
UK's Online Safety Law: A Front for Censorship
Nationwide Protests Erupt in Brazil Demanding Presidential Resignation
Parents Abandon Child at Barcelona Airport Over Passport Issue
Mystery Surrounds Death of Brazilian Woman with iPhones Glued to Her Body
Bus Driver Discovers Toddler Hidden in Suitcase in New Zealand
Switzerland Celebrates 734 Years of Independence Amid Global Changes
U.S. Opens Official Investigation into Former Trump Prosecutor Jack Smith
Leaked audio of Canada's new PM Mark Carney admitting the truth about the Net Zero agenda: "We're gonna make a lot of money off of this."
China Enforces Comprehensive Ban on Cryptocurrency Activities
Absolutely 100% Realistic EVO Series Doll by EXDOLL (Chinese Company) used mainly for carnal purposes
World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab: "In this new world, we must accept... total transparency. You have to get used to it. You have to behave accordingly. But if you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't be afraid."
Meet Mufti Hamid Patel, head of Office for Standards in Education in Pakistan
George Soros tells the World Economic Forum: "President Trump is a con man and the ultimate narcissist, who wants the world to revolve around him."
Hamas are STARVING the hostages.
Decline in Tourism in Majorca Amidst Ongoing Anti-Tourism Protests
British Tourist Dies Following Hair Transplant in Turkey, Police Investigate
Poland Begins Excavation at Dziemiany After New Clue to World War II‑Era Nazi Treasure
WhatsApp Users Targeted in New Scam Involving Account Takeovers
Trump Threatens Canada with Tariffs Over Palestinian State Recognition
Trump Deploys Nuclear Submarines After Threats from Former Russian President Medvedev
Trump Sues Murdoch in “Heavyweight Bout”: Lawsuit Over Alleged Epstein Letter Sets Stage for Courtroom Showdown
Germany Enters Fiscal Crisis as Cabinet Approves €174 Billion in New Debt
Trump Administration Finalizes Broad Tariff Increases on Global Trade Partners
J.K. Rowling Limits Public Engagements Citing Safety Fears
JD.com Launches €2.2 Billion Bid for German Electronics Retailer Ceconomy
Azerbaijan Proceeds with Plan to Legalise Casinos on Artificial Islands
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
×