extreme luxury « Euro Weekly News

Three gala evenings, scheduled for 26, 28 and 30 May, will feature high jewellery catwalk. Credit: Eversummerphoto/Shutterstock

Palma’s iconic Castell de Bellver is set to become the stage for an unprecedented event: Louis Vuitton has chosen the historic site to unveil its latest high jewellery collection before a select audience of international guests, celebrities and global media. The monument will close to the public for eight days to accommodate three exclusive fashion shows and gala dinners on 26, 28 and 30 May.

The exclusive event, shrouded in secrecy and directed from Paris, will bring together the French brand’s top jewellery clients—members of the ultra-wealthy global class personally invited by LVMH, the empire helmed by Bernard Arnault, the world’s richest man in 2024 according to Forbes.

Three gala evenings, scheduled for 26, 28 and 30 May, will feature high jewellery catwalk shows and dinners for around 200 guests each night. In total, 700 VIPs are expected, with most staying in some of Mallorca’s most exclusive hotels, including the legendary Formentor and La Residencia in Deià, operated by LVMH’s luxury hospitality arm, Belmond. A large influx of private jets is anticipated, as well as the full mobilisation of the island’s fleet of luxury vehicles and chauffeurs.

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The logistical preparations—handled with military precision—have involved an on-site team based at the five-star Hotel Son Vida. The city’s landmark Louis Vuitton boutique, located in the historic Can Alomar manor and recently expanded in 2024, will also play a key role during the event.

For the temporary use of the castle, Louis Vuitton will pay the City Council €175,000—an unprecedented amount for the site, and five times what the city would normally earn in ticket sales over the same period. The payment secures full closure of the castle to the public for eight days, three of which fall on Mondays when the monument is usually closed anyway. An additional eight days of partial closure will be used for set-up and dismantling.

Political backlash

The Council, through its Department of Culture led by Javier Bonet, highlights that this revenue will be reinvested in cultural and heritage projects. They also point out that, while private use of Bellver is not new—averaging 30 to 45 events a year—it’s the first time a global luxury brand has hosted something of this scale and visibility.

Still, the decision has sparked political backlash. The opposition PSOE has criticised the event as “the privatisation of a public asset,” accusing the mayor of prioritising prestige events over neighbourhood needs and housing solutions. “The mayor is setting a dangerous precedent by turning a symbol of the city into a playground for billionaires,” said spokesperson Xisco Ducrós.

Negotiations for the event began six months ago, when Louis Vuitton initially requested exclusive access to the site for an entire month. That proposal was rejected due to the castle’s importance as a museum and tourist attraction. The scaled-down version was eventually approved under municipal regulations governing private use of public heritage.

Beyond the rental fee, the wider economic impact is staggering. The direct spending linked to the event is estimated to reach €24 million, generating over 1,000 jobs, from hospitality and transport to security. Authorities are already finalising a high-security plan, not only due to the value of the jewellery but also to the presence of globally influential guests.

A castle full of symbolism

The setting could not be more charged with symbolism. Built in the early 14th century by King James II of Mallorca, Bellver is Spain’s only entirely circular castle and has served as royal residence, fortress, and prison. Among its most notable inmates were Enlightenment thinker Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos and Emilio Darder, Palma’s last Republican mayor.

Now, this iconic stone ring will become a literal showcase for the world’s most precious stones—an ironic twist in a place once associated with confinement and resistance.

The event comes amid a heated debate in Mallorca around the limits of tourism, particularly mass and luxury tourism. While critics argue that such events distort public space, others highlight the island’s growing appeal to high-end travellers. In 2024, luxury tourism on the island rose by 10%, with US visitors driving hotel occupancy to nearly 90% in peak season.

Whether seen as a cultural coup or a symbol of excess, the Louis Vuitton event at Bellver Castle marks a turning point for Palma—a collision of history, heritage and haute couture played out on a global stage.

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