Belmond is rolling out an artsy haven on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE). The LVMH hotel brand has enlisted French artist JR to design a new sleeper carriage for the legendary, luxury locomotive. Labeled “the most exclusive and spacious accommodation type on the train ” by Belmond, the new L’Observatoire takes inspiration from astronomical observatories and Renaissance Europe’s cabinet of curiosity.
JR turned the carriage into a gallery on wheels, filling it with personal objets d’art, original photographs, and other quirky pieces that can be uncovered throughout the journey. The modern touches have been cleverly interwoven with historic features to maintain the elegant aesthetic synonymous with the VSOE. “The carriages have traveled through countless decades and eras—so I wanted to find a new way to approach them, maintaining the connection to this deep story,” JR said in a statement.
Taking design cues from observatories, the carriage has two oculus-shaped skylights on the ceiling with wood pieces that rotate open to provide guests with incredible views of the stars and sky. JR and Atelier Philippe Allemand reinterpreted the signature wooden marquetry, creating new motifs such as an urban cityscape with the artist standing on a rooftop. Each room in the suite is brimming with hidden wonders, designed to spark curiosity within travelers.
The bedroom, which is covered in a green leather scalloping that resembles leafy foliage, features a plush double .