Symphony Superyacht, Bernard Arnault’s $150M Palace Complete With On-Board Driving Range

Bernard Arnault — lovingly referred to as “the wolf in cashmere” — is best known as the co-founder, chairman, and chief executive of the titanic LVMH (Moët Hennessy–Louis Vuitton), the world’s largest luxury goods company. With a net worth among the wealthiest people on the planet, it should come as no surprise that Arnault’s taste for the finer things in life extends to the high seas.

His 344-foot (c. 105-metre) superyacht, Symphony, is a veritable floating palace that brings together cutting-edge engineering, classic design, and lavish comfort. Built by Dutch shipyard Feadship and reportedly worth around $150 million, Symphony previously ranked 50th on the list of the world’s top 100 superyachts. Let’s take a closer look at what all that champagne and all those handbags can buy you…

Symphony Superyacht Quick Facts

Bernard Arnault, Owner of the Symphony Superyacht

Bernard Arnault is a French billionaire whose business empire spans iconic brands like Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Fendi, and a whole lot more, all gathered under the LVMH umbrella. By far the richest man in France and up there with the richest men on earth, Arnault’s net worth that fluctuated in recent months to the tune of a $50 billion loss, but he’s still sitting on a plump nest egg of over $180 billion.

Arnault’s penchant for privacy is well known. Even though he occupies the same social strata as Silicon Valley bigwigs like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, Arnault keeps a relatively low profile. In fact, he recently sold his private jet to avoid public flight tracking, underscoring just how much he treasures discretion. And yet, when it comes to his sprawling, steel-and-aluminium superyacht Symphony, he seems in no hurry to let her go for the benefit of anonymity.

Arnault’s foray into the boating world stretches back to 2008 when LVMH acquired a 70% controlling stake in British yacht manufacturer Princess Yachts. In the same year, the group also purchased Royal Van Lent (under the Feadship brand). He also recently revealed plans to purchase Riva Yachts, the so-called “Rolls Royce of the sea”. These moves give Arnault direct access to best-in-class yacht building.

Symphony’s Builder: A First for Feadship

Symphony was built by Feadship, one of the world’s most prestigious shipyards on earth. Located in the Netherlands, it often gets the call-up for projects of this scale and status, especially when high-profile clients are involved. Delivered in 2015, she was Feadship’s largest build at the time — measuring 333 feet in length (some sources take this number up to 344 feet, due to tricky rounding and different measurement criteria) — and the first Feadship yacht to pass the 100-metre mark.

Symphony was also the first Feadship vessel to be built in full compliance with the Passenger Yacht Code (PYC). This then-groundbreaking set of regulations allows yachts to carry more than 12 passengers under strict safety and operational standards that had not previously been necessary for vessels of this scale. Achieving PYC compliance meant that every item onboard — from furnishings to finishings — had to meet specific fire-resistance and safety criteria, making Symphony an impressive feat that straddled the aesthetic demands of its owner with the engineering and regulatory landscape of the high sea.

Tim Heywood’s Ingenious Exterior Design for Symphony

The yacht’s striking exterior silhouette is the brainchild of the legendary British designer Tim Heywood. Known for his meticulous approach to proportion and form, Heywood made Symphony all about flowing lines and wide-open deck spaces. The six-deck motoryacht boasts a well-balanced profile, with self-described sleek curves and ample outdoor areas that allow guests to revel in the sea air and sunshine.

Thanks to Heywood’s skill, Symphony gives off an aura of grandeur and scale without ever feeling bulky. Its steel hull and aluminium superstructure are softened by long windows and subtle, sweeping shapes. In a world of increasingly ugly and imposing superyachts, Symphony stands out for its understated approach.

Peter Marino and François Zuretti, Symphony’s Interior Design Dream Team

Those who are lucky enough to have been on board this yacht claim that stepping inside Symphony is like entering a high-end boutique or a 5-star luxury hotel, which is really no surprise given the owner and the calibre of designers behind it. Peter Marino, famous for designing flagship stores for brands like Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton, was given what the yard’s project manager called “free rein to create one of the most detail-rich and elaborate interiors ever seen on a superyacht.”

French designer François Zuretti lent architectural clarity and warmth where Marino brought off-the-wall creativity, ensuring that every space wasn’t just spectacular but welcoming too. Together, they curated a “summerhouse on the sea,” drawing inspiration from luxury residences in Bali and Thailand. The result: an interior with layered textures, rare materials, and one-of-a-kind craftsmanship.

Symphony’s Owner’s Area and Guest Accommodation

As the first Feadship vessel to comply with the new Passenger Yacht Code, Symphony was built to accommodate more than the previous limit of 12 passengers. While PYC compliance allows up to 36 passengers, Symphony typically hosts around 20 guests in eight cabins, serviced by a crew of up to 38.

At the heart of the yacht lies Arnault’s personal domain on the upper deck. This ultra-private owner’s area features separate his-and-hers offices, dressing rooms, and bathrooms. The master bedroom offers a jaw-dropping 200-degree view of the sea. Nearby, a spa pool awaits for early exercise or a relaxing dip.

Symphony’s Decks and Recreation Spaces

One of Symphony’s most enviable features is the six-deck layout — a configuration rarely seen among superyachts of her size. This vertical stacking of spaces not only expands the usable surface area of the vessel but allows for clear separation of guest, crew, and owner’s quarters. They break down roughly as follows:

• Main Deck: Highlights include a contraflow infinity pool at the aft end, flanked by a spacious lounging area that can transform into a pool saloon. There’s also a gym for the health-conscious and a lounge area perfect for afternoon tea or late-night gatherings.
• Bridge Deck: This level houses a large terrace that doubles as an outdoor cinema, complete with a bar and Jacuzzi. Guests can relax in plush seating or soak in the tub while watching a film under the stars… vibes.
• Beach Club: Further aft is the beach club, which incorporates a full-fledged wellness centre. One of the yacht’s standout features is the glass-bottom swimming pool overhead, whose base forms the beach club’s dramatic ceiling. Illuminated with LED lights, the space glows at nighttime.

Symphony’s Innovative Features

Possibly the most futuristic detail onboard Symphony is the interactive, glass-walled corridor stretching from the lower deck cinema to the engine room and beach club. Designed by Zuretti, it allows guests to glimpse the yacht’s inner workings — an unprecedented bit of showmanship in an industry where these technical areas are usually hidden from prying eyes. Blue LED lights enhance the experience.

Those who wish to dig deeper into the yacht’s technical specs (more on that below) can turn to a massive touchscreen display that shows speed, engine RPM, location, and even a live feed from underwater cameras. According to VBH’s creative manager, Casper Kleiman, a layer of privacy foil in the glass can switch between transparent and opaque, transforming the corridor window into an interactive screen with a mere touch.

Because no superyacht is complete without its unique quirks, Symphony also features an automatic pop-up golf tee on one of the decks, enabling the owner and guests to practise their swing using biodegradable golf balls. It’s a nod to Arnault’s love of upper-crust leisure pursuits as well as a reflection of the yacht’s commitment to somewhat sustainable indulgence.

Symhony’s Power, Performance, and Sustainability Credentials

For a vessel of her size — 333 feet long and weighing in at around 3,000 gross tonnes — Symphony is reported to be remarkably quiet. In fact, Arnault specifically requested a superyacht that would be as quiet as possible. Feadship’s engineers worked to isolate guest and owner spaces from vibrations, ensuring restful nights and minimal engine hum wherever possible.

Powered by four MTU 16V4000M73 engines, Symphony can reach speeds of up to 22 knots, with a cruising speed around 16 knots. She also carries advanced at-anchor stabilisers to minimise rolling when moored. Her range is approximately 5,000 to 5,500 nautical miles, meaning transatlantic voyages are well within reach.

In addition to its engineering prowess, Symphony has been celebrated for adopting more eco-friendly practices. Its design accommodates a hybrid propulsion approach. Although details vary, reports often suggest up to 30% reduced energy usage compared to yachts of a similar size. This environment-conscious philosophy isn’t surprising, given Bernard Arnault’s well-documented interest in safeguarding brand heritage and artisanal craftsmanship across the luxury sector.

Final Thoughts

Despite whispers that Arnault might part ways with public-facing luxuries, Symphony appears to be here to stay. A testament to his exacting standards, the vessel merges cutting-edge engineering innovation with the quiet, confident glamour that has become synonymous with LVMH’s global portfolio. Bon voyage, indeed.