In an era where slow travel is making a glamorous comeback, Belmond is setting new standards for railway luxury with an extraordinary addition to their legendary Venice-Simplon Orient Express. Come March 2025, travelers on the storied Portofino-Paris route will have the opportunity to experience something unprecedented: L’Observatoire, an entire train car transformed into a single suite by renowned artist JR.

This isn’t just any railway accommodation – it’s a moving masterpiece that reimagines the golden age of train travel for the modern luxury traveler. Picture yourself in a free-standing bathtub, gazing at the stars through custom-designed circular skylights as the French countryside rolls past. This is the first time in the train’s illustrious history that an artist has been commissioned to design an entire suite, and JR’s vision is nothing short of revolutionary.

INSIDER TIP: Book at least six months in advance to secure this exclusive suite, which promises to be the most coveted accommodation on any luxury train journey in Europe.

The suite unfolds like a carefully choreographed sequence of spaces: from an elegant bedroom with that show-stopping bathtub, to a private bathroom, an intimate lounge with elegant seating, and even a hidden tea room that feels like discovering a secret compartment in a jewelry box. But perhaps the most magical feature is the library – a cozy nook where you can curl up with a vintage novel as Europe’s most spectacular landscapes drift by outside your window. The selection of books and vinyls is by Gallimard. 

The design pays homage to the train’s Art Deco heritage while boldly stepping into the future. Those unique round skylights – a first for the Venice-Simplon Orient Express – create an observatory-like experience that connects passengers with the passing sky in a way never before possible on a luxury train.

“L’Observatoire isn’t just a suite – it’s a journey within a journey,” says JR. “I wanted to create spaces that would encourage travelers to observe, dream, and connect with both the landscape and the train’s romantic history.”

WHAT TO PACK: Channel the glamour of golden-age rail travel with elegant evening wear for dinner, and don’t forget a vintage-inspired robe for those indulgent morning baths under the skylights.

This masterpiece on rails represents more than just luxury travel – it’s a moving celebration of artisanship, imagination, and the timeless romance of train journeys. As the Venice-Simplon Orient Express continues to write its legend, L’Observatoire stands as proof that even the most iconic experiences can be reimagined for a new generation of discerning travellers.