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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Belvedere Hotel du Rayon Vert, built between 1928 and 1932 by architect Léon Baille, embodies the art deco style known as "shipboard". Sponsored by Jean de Léon, manager of the buffet of the Cerbère station, it was intended to welcome travellers in transit between France and Spain, waiting for visas or axle changes. Its luxurious infrastructure ( panoramic restaurant, casino, cinema, theatre, rooftop tennis court) reflected the growth of rail tourism in the 1930s. The custom-made tiles and earthenware emphasized its unique character.

The Spanish War (closing the border in August 1936) and the Second World War (requisition by the Wehrmacht between 1942 and 1944) precipitated its decline. Despite a revival in the 1950s with musical animations, the hotel was disused in 1983. Its facades, upper terrace and cinema were classified as historical monuments in 1987. Today, it houses nine rental apartments and an elevator, while preserving its murals painted in 1949 by Spanish artist José de Zamora.

Symbol of the golden age of international travel, the Belvedere welcomed celebrities such as Mistinguett, Fernandel or Orson Welles. Since 2005, it has hosted the Cerbère-Portbou Film Encounters, an annual festival combining unique screenings and artist residences. Its naval architecture (rounded runners, roof terraces evoking a fireplace) and its history linked to European migration make it an emblematic heritage.

The building, entirely made of reinforced concrete, illustrates the technical innovation of the 1920s. Its strategic location, between railway and departmental road (former Corniche road), made it a mandatory crossing point for travellers. The interior frescoes, made in exchange for rent by José de Zamora, bear witness to Franco-Spanish cultural exchanges. Ranked among the historical monuments of the Pyrénées-Orientales, there remains a popular filming place (Captain Marleau series, film Hôtel Silence).

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