Ab Fab ‘bubble palace’ is ‘Europe’s priciest home’ and could be yours for £280m

An extraordinary “Bubble Palace” has just been put up for sale at the eye-watering price of £280 million.

If that price seems a little steep, the sprawling 'Le Palais Bulles’ does offer 10 bedrooms, so maybe you could club together with some mates.

Facing the Bay of Cannes in the picturesque Massif de l’Esterel, it was made famous by its appearance in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.

It was designed around the concept of “feminine curves” by architect Antti Lovag and once owned by legendary fashion designer Pierre Cardin.

The unique home consists of of a cluster of interwoven bubble spaces over six levels perfect for social distancing on a two-acre hillside site with a 180 degree view of the Mediterranean.

The ten-bedroom villa, including gardens, water-ponds, swimming pools and a 500 seat outdoor theatre, is the former summer home of French fashion designer Pierre Cardin.

Cardin said he was drawn to the property saying, "Round shapes have always inspired me," and compared it to a woman's body saying "… everything is absolutely sensual."

The eye-catching property was designed by Hungarian architect Antti Lovag in the 70s and built between 1979 and 1984 and overlooks the Bay of Cannes.

It features an assembly of bubble modules interspersed with terraces and ponds and each of the spherical "pods" features a large, round opening to take in the sunlight.

It also boasts an amphitheatre with seating for 500, a function room, a panoramic lounge, with ornamental gardens and swimming pools.

The home has previously been used as the venue for celebrity parties including the James Bond 40th birthday party, as well as events for MTV,, Lego, Renault, Microsoft, and Rolls-Royce, as well as a number of Pierre Cardin and Christian Dior catwalk shows of course.

Emma Bunton fans might recognise the property as the background for the cover photos of her 2004 solo album Free Me.

The property is being sold by Christies International Real Estate.

Christies' website description of the home reads: "This unique palace assembled by a bubble cluster, offers a panoramic lounge, a reception room and 10 suites decorated by contemporary artists."

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