JR in Venice

Get on board as we take you to Venice.

JR is at the Venice Biennale with a moving art installation titled L’Observatoire. He has converted the interior of Sleeping Car 3553 inside Belmond’s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

The train has secret compartments with hidden messages masterfully placed within intricate marquetry. Peer into the eye-shaped portholes and observe a world of luxury, a double bed, ensuite bathroom, a wardrobe, a reclining daybed, a luxurious lounge, and even a library stocked with books from French publisher Gallimard. These delights sit alongside a hidden tea room complete with a fireplace, all beautifully hand crafted.

Visitors can peer into carriage between April 17th and 19th at Fondamenta San Giovanni (Hotel Cipriani) from 14:00 to 17:00, and between April 20th and 22nd at the Riva dei Sette Martiti from 10:00 to 18:00.

The train is scheduled to commence travelling in 2025, marking a unique collaboration for the first time between an artist and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Talk about something worth putting on that bucket list!