Artist JR Transforms Trains Into Artworks -Peek Inside His Recent Grand creation
Artist JR's Exclusive Collaboration with Belmond Transforms Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
French street artist JR has made a significant mark in the world of contemporary art, with his work often containing poetic and progressive messages. His latest project, L'Observatoire, is a testament to this, as it combines the timeless luxury of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with JR's distinctive artistic vision.
Created in collaboration with Belmond, a luxury travel company, L'Observatoire is an exclusive private train carriage that was added to the legendary train in spring 2025. The carriage, four years in the making, stands out as a suite-sized space that blends the classic elegance of the train with JR’s characteristic large-scale photographic art and modern aesthetic.
The interior of L'Observatoire is a marvel of craftsmanship, with a specific atelier responsible for the intricate wood marquetry. JR's studio provided the drawings for the artisans, resulting in a unique interior that caters to a highly exclusive clientele, offering an intimate luxury travel experience that combines JR’s cultural and artistic sensibilities with Belmond’s renowned service.
One of the most striking features of L'Observatoire is an oculus, allowing travellers to see the sky and stars as they cross borders-a feature never before seen on a train. The installation set in the tea room of the carriage features a running video of JR's team, potentially revealing clues to hidden items within the suite.
JR designed L'Observatoire to build the grandest residence on rails, combining elements of a 'cabinet of curiosities' and an astronomical observatory. The goal was to create a space that not only serves as a bespoke art piece but also allows passengers to observe the landscapes while traversing them and to enter the mesmerizing universe of JR.
JR's fascination with trains is evident in his work, with one of his most memorable projects being 'Women Are Heroes' (2007), in which he placed eyes on a train carriage. His collaboration with Belmond in 2020 is another example of this, as he takes the opportunity to merge contemporary art with the timeless luxury of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.
As JR takes a summer break in the south of France, L'Observatoire continues to be a unique and unforgettable experience for those fortunate enough to travel on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. The collaboration between JR and Belmond is a testament to the power of artistic collaborations in elevating luxury travel and enriching the historical and cultural value of their offerings.
[1] Belmond Press Release, "Introducing: L'Observatoire by JR on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express", 2025. [4] JR Studio, "L'Observatoire: A Collaboration with Belmond", 2025.
Lifestyle enthusiasts who appreciate contemporary art and luxurious travel will find L'Observatoire, the private sleeper carriage designed by artist JR for Belmond's Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, to be an intriguing marvel. This unique train art, crafted over four years in collaboration, offers a mixing of JR’s distinctive artistic vision and the classic elegance of the Orient Express sleeper carriage, creating a travel experience that epitomizes a blend of artistic, cultural, and luxurious lifestyle.
Travelling on the L'Observatoire carriage granted by Belmond, passengers can savor an exclusive lifestyle journey inspired by JR’s work, seamlessly integrating elements of a 'cabinet of curiosities' and an astronomical observatory, akin to living in the grandest residence on rails. This immersive travel experience showcases both the artist's aesthetic sensibilities and Belmond's renowned service, setting a new standard in sophisticated and memorable luxury train travel.
