Tahitian Black Pearl Takes Center Stage at Place Vendôme in Spectacular Anniversary Exhibition

A 50th-anniversary celebration blending art, heritage, and luxury commerce.

Paris, May 15-June 5 – The Maison de la Perle unveils an unprecedented open-air exhibition at Place Vendôme, marking five decades since Jean-Marie Domard’s pioneering 1961 pearl grafts at Hikueru atoll. The installation features:

The Jewel of the Exhibition

💎 A monumental pearl necklace with 3-meter diameter “pearls”
📸 Each displaying award-winning photography by Thierry Bouët
🌐 Curated to trace the pearl’s journey from Polynesian lagoons to global luxury

Strategic Luxury Partnerships

• Cartier and Mauboussin creating dedicated Tahitian pearl window displays
• May 18 gala inauguration with French Culture Minister Frédéric Mitterrand
• 22 million XPF investment (≈€184,000) in cultural diplomacy

Controversy & Criticism

While officials hail the event as a marketing breakthrough:
⚠️ Local pearl farmers question the ROI of the 22M XPF expenditure
⚠️ Debates continue about prioritizing direct industry support vs. brand visibility

“This isn’t just an exhibition—it’s a statement that Tahitian pearls belong in the luxury pantheon,” asserts Ingrid Izquierdo, Director of Maison de la Perle.

Global Roadshow Ahead

Following Paris, the exhibition may tour:
🗼 Tokyo (Fall 2024)
🎭 Monaco (2025)
🗽 New York (2025)

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For Visitors: Free access daily | Night illuminations after 8PM
Industry Note: Parallel business forums will connect Polynesian producers with international buyers