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This brilliant ocean-liner shaped abandoned Art Deco hotel should be on your bucket list

In  the picturesque region of Southern France, there is a ship-shaped building  that stares lonely between the railroad and the old road to Perpignan.

Built in a lavish Art Deco style,Hotel Belvédère du Rayon Vert in Cerbère had it all, from ballroom through its own theater to a tennis court, and is now abandoned and lonely.

The Art Deco marvel was built by the Perpignan architect, Léon Baille between 1928 and 1932.

Built to resemble an ocean liner, it served  for tourists to have luxurious overnight while they wait for their train.

The passengers while waiting for their train, could spend a night in the ship-shaped hotel, dine in the Art Deco dining room, maybe watch a movie in the theater or play tennis on the roof.

 

The brilliant ocean-liner shaped Art Deco Hotel Belvedere Rayon Vert at Cerberus. .Source
The brilliant ocean-liner shaped Art Deco Hotel Belvedere Rayon Vert at Cerberus. .Source

 

Seen from far .Source
The Belvédère du Rayon Vert located l in Cerbère, France,designed in the art deco style by the Perpignan architect, Léon Baille, and built between 1928 and 1932.Source

 

the smoking room .Source
the smoking room .Source

Its glory days were brief, with the outbreak of  the Spanish war , the borders were closed  and that sadly lead the rail traffic to its decline.

 

José Zamora, an artist  illustrator, designer, and writer, was a resident of the Hotel,  he painted murals on the interior walls of the building in compensation for his unpaid bill.

Folks on Trip Advisor love it:

We first discovered Cerbère after I had seen photo of The Belvedere, and then visited every year at least twice.
We have stayed in the hotel many times and loved the slightly ad-hoc nature of the rooms, the beautiful cinema and untouched since the 30s dining room.

The best ‘suite’ we stayed in was one that has a dual sea and train track view, with all the associated sounds – yes you have to like trains, sea and wind (the very exciting Tramontagne) to truly appreciate staying in this wonderment of Belle epoche architecture.

Very helpful ‘concierge’ to show you around and worth coming for the brilliant art film festival in October.

The southeast corner of the Belvedere Hotel the Green Ray to Cerberus in work in 2014.Source
The southeast corner of the Belvedere Hotel the Green Ray to Cerberus being repaired in 2014.Source

 

 

The hotel was built from rainforce concrete .Source
The hotel was built from reinforced concrete .Source

 

The entance hall .Source
The entrance hall .Source

 

The dining room .Source
The dining room .Source

 

The cinema .Source
The cinema .Source

 

The bar .Source
The bar .Source

 

Overhanging roof .Source
Overhanging roof .Source

 

Old Belvedere Hotel Rayon Vert. .Source
The hotel is located in the village of Cerberus, between the railroad and the old road to Perpignan , with direct views of the sea.

 

fireplace in the room smoking room at the hotel Belvedere Green Ray .Source
fireplace in the room smoking room at the hotel Belvedere Green Ray .Source

In 1987, the building was protected under a list of historic monuments .

Part of the building has been brought back into use as apartments, with some original features. The building is open to visitors most afternoons.

Neil Patrick

Neil Patrick is one of the authors writing for The Vintage News