Weird and Wonderful Buildings Part 2 — Palais Bulles (The Bubble Palace)
Palais Bulles or Palace of Bubbles was designed by Antti Lovag. It overlooks the Bay of Cannes, in Théoule-sur-Mer; and was built between 1975 and 1989 for Pierre Bernard a French industrialist.
The 1,200m2 house has a reception hall, a panoramic lounge, 10 bedrooms, an open air 500 seat amphitheatre, swimming pools and waterfalls in landscaped gardens. The bedrooms have each been decorated by a specific artist including Francois Chauvin, Jerome Tisserand, Daniel You and Patrice Breteau.
Antti Lovag designed the house as a “form of play- spontaneous, full of surprises” He hated straight lines — he saw them as “an aggression against nature” human nature to be precise.
“Conviviality is a circular phenomenon. The circle structures the way human life is carried out.” Antti Lovag
Lovag explored this idea throughout his career, building experimental structures and prototypes that expressed his theories on human bodies and how they occupy space. His point was that the motion of our arms and legs trace circles.
“Whether for economic reasons or lack of technical solutions, human beings have confined themselves to cubes full of dead ends and angles that impede our movement and break our harmony.” Antti Lovag
Another reason why the circle is so prevalent in Antti Lovag’s designs is because “it is the simplest construction; it has just one dimension, the radius”. Circles are transformed into spheres, which are the strongest, lightest and most material economical forms.
The spheres in Palais Bulles are made out of lightweight mesh and rods which were rolled around by Lovag and his clients or accomplices until they felt that they were in the right place. Then concrete was poured around the forms, thus creating the bubbles.
Although his work is greatly admired, Lovag does not have a long list of clients. This is probably due to his philosophy — “I don’t know what it’s going to be like, I don’t know when it’s going to be finished, and I don’t know how much it’s going to cost.”
Pierre Cardin purchased the house in 1992 as a private events venue. It has been the backdrop to fashion shows, advertisements including one for Rolls Royce, film festivals and fashion photography. Cardin rented out Le Palais Bulles for around €30,000 a day.
“Clinging to the rocky Estérel, this palace has become my own bit of paradise. 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.” Pierre Cardin
In his book Le Palais Bulles de Pierre Cardin (published by Assouline), Jean-Pascal Hesse relates the story of the breathtaking house — the brainchild of Antti Lovag and owned by Pierre Bernard and Pierre Cardin.
“Its curves and its softness, makes me see the shapes of a woman, of a mother. That’s why I feel good there.” Pierre Cardin
In 2016 a five year renovation by French archiect Odile Decq was completed and the villa was listed for sale in 2017 for €350 million. It remains unsold. After Pierre Cardin’s death in 2020, there were hopes that it would be open to the public for art exhibitions.
Despite being on my bucket list of architectural masterpieces to visit, Le Palais Bulles remains closed to the general public…
I love Architecture. I think it’s vital to talk about all aspects of Architecture — whether it be planning, construction, design or green building. I have written 3 E-Books & over 110 articles. Please feel free to let me know if you have any queries regarding architecture, planning & construction & I will assist you.
I am originally from the UK and moved to South Africa in 1999. I started Blue Designs in 2004 after working as a driver for Avalon Construction on a luxury home in the Featherbrook Estate. In my spare time I am an artist and writer (The Naked Architect).
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