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CURATED ATLAS FOR CONTEMPORARY DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE
(Cannes, France)(Architecture)(Architecture Directory)2024-08-10

Palais Bulles

Palais Bulles is a large house in Théoule-sur-Mer, near Cannes, France, that was designed by the Hungarian architect Antti Lovag. It was built for the French industrialist Pierre Bernard, and later bought by the fashion designer Pierre Cardin as a holiday home.

The house comprises a reception hall, panoramic lounge, 500-seat open-air amphitheatre, 10 bedrooms, various swimming pools and waterfalls in extensive landscaped grounds.
The house comprises a reception hall, panoramic lounge, 500-seat open-air amphitheatre, 10 bedrooms, various swimming pools and waterfalls in extensive landscaped grounds.

The Palais Bulles, or "Bubble Palace," is an iconic and futuristic architectural masterpiece located near Cannes on the French Riviera. Designed by Hungarian architect Antti Lovag in the 1970s and completed in 1989, the structure is renowned for its organic, bubble-like forms and unconventional design. Lovag, who considered himself more of a "habitologist" than an architect, was inspired by natural shapes and sought to create living spaces that harmonized with the human body and the surrounding environment.

The Palais Bulles comprises a series of interconnected, rounded rooms that flow seamlessly into each other, creating a fluid and dynamic living space. The building's circular windows, portholes, and curvaceous walls eschew the rigid, linear lines typical of modern architecture, favoring instead a playful and avant-garde aesthetic. The interior of the palace is equally remarkable, featuring vibrant colors, eclectic furnishings, and custom-designed furniture that mirrors the building's organic forms.

Set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea, the Palais Bulles offers stunning views and is surrounded by lush gardens, terraces, and a swimming pool, all designed to blend with the natural landscape. The palace has been used as a venue for fashion shows, parties, and other high-profile events, including being owned by fashion designer Pierre Cardin, who used it as a summer residence.

The Palais Bulles stands as a testament to creative freedom and architectural innovation, challenging traditional notions of space, form, and function. It remains a symbol of the futuristic visions of the late 20th century and a unique example of experimental architecture.

In March 2017, it was listed for sale with an asking price of €350 million but did not find a buyer. It could be rented to groups for $33,200 a day..
In March 2017, it was listed for sale with an asking price of €350 million but did not find a buyer. It could be rented to groups for $33,200 a day..
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 Antti Lovag defined himself, with gentle irony, as an “habitologist”, like some swashbuckling DIYer. In his dreams, everything was to be round, smooth, and soft, helping bodies, ideas, and feelings to flow freely.
Antti Lovag defined himself, with gentle irony, as an “habitologist”, like some swashbuckling DIYer. In his dreams, everything was to be round, smooth, and soft, helping bodies, ideas, and feelings to flow freely.
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