The world's most expensive home is in the south of France — take a look inside

CIRE_Pierre Cardin, Bubble House_swimming pool 4
Christie’s International Real Estate

Palais Bulles — or the "Bubble Palace" as it's better known — in Cannes, France, is the most expensive property in the world.

Advertisement

As its name suggests, the $455 million (£351.7 million) home, listed by Christie's International Real Estate, makes an impression with its striking futuristic architecture, designed to look like a cluster of bubbles.

Once famously owned by the fashion designer Pierre Cardin, the eccentric 10-bedroom abode has a spherical living room and vast gardens complete with swimming pools and ponds.

Can't afford to buy the place? Take a quick tour of some of its rooms below:

Advertisement

It's not hard to see why this place is known as the Bubble Palace. Designed by the Hungarian architect Antti Lovag and built between 1975 and 1989, the property looks more like a mini village than a home.

CIRE_Pierre Cardin, Bubble House  (1)
Christie’s International Real Estate

The living room has a space age-themed decor, echoing the saucer-like shape of the "bubbles" that make up the home. Even the sofa is round.

CIRE_Pierre Cardin, Bubble House_livingroom
Christie’s International Real Estate
Advertisement

This reception room is decorated with some seriously odd furniture.

#PalaisBulles #greencouch

A photo posted by Green Couch (@green.couch) on Mar 8, 2016 at 8:05am PST

One of 10 suites designed by contemporary artists, this one has a seafront view, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the bay of Cannes. The bubble theme continues in this room too, where there's a round bed and circular window.

CIRE_Pierre Cardin, Bubble House_bedroom
Christie’s International Real Estate
Advertisement

In one of the bathrooms, which looks more like a spa, the sink and bath are curved. You won't find any straight lines in this house.

CIRE_Pierre Cardin, Bubble House_bathroom
Christie’s International Real Estate
Advertisement

Even the staircase does away with straight angles.

Antti Lovag; Staircase at Palais Bulles, 1989.

A photo posted by TLA Studio (@tlastudio) on Aug 12, 2016 at 6:37am PDT

Advertisement

Outside, the gardens are spread across more than 91,000 square feet, including swimming pools and water ponds — all of which are circular, of course.

CIRE_Pierre Cardin, Bubble House_swimming pool 4
Christie’s International Real Estate

A testament to the dramatic style of the house, the property even has its own auditorium. It seats up to 500 people for events and concerts, and has a stunning view of the sea.

CIRE_Pierre Cardin, Bubble House_auditorium
Christie’s International Real Estate
Advertisement

At night, the lights from inside the "palace" reflected in the pool give it an ethereal feel.

PIERRE CARDIN'S PALAIS BULLEAS (DESIGNED BY ANTTI LOVAG) #pierrecardin #palaisbulles #diorcouture #antiilovag #cannes #france #20thcenturyarchitecture

A photo posted by St. Bandida (@st_bandida) on Jul 31, 2016 at 10:57am PDT

Advertisement

And from above, the home looks just as beautiful as it does at ground level.

Aujourd'hui sur mag.lesgrandsducs.com, on vous raconte l'étonnante histoire du Palais Bulles de Pierre Cardin sur la Côte d'Azur.

A photo posted by Les Grands Ducs (@lesgrandsducs) on Jul 22, 2016 at 1:27am PDT

Europe
Advertisement
Close icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.