The unique Arbez Hotel — when you sleep with your feet in Switzerland and with your head in France

Western Europe often surprises tourists with its symbolic borders. Many localities have historically been divided between countries, while building has not always been taken into account. The small two-star Arbez Hotel (Arbez Franco-Suisse) is located in La Cure, a 15-minute drive north of Geneva. This is a very cozy place, but it is the location of the hotel that attracts tourists. It so happened that one part of it is in France, and the other is in Switzerland.

The Arbez Hotel was built in 1862 by a clever entrepreneur named Pontus. France and Switzerland have just agreed on the demarcation of borders in the Daps Valley. According to the agreement, there should not have been any buildings on the new border, so as not to create confusion.

Representatives of the authorities of the two countries drew a line between the households of the town of La Kur and quietly retired to deal with formal issues. At this time, Pontus built a hotel, which is located on both sides of the border. When the officials realized it was too late, and even the owner's documents were in perfect order.

The border runs through the kitchen and several rooms. The owner opened a bar on the French side, and a shop on the Swiss side. The most popular among tourists are two rooms. They are located on the second and third floors, while simultaneously located in two countries.

The guest can sleep with his head in France, and with his feet in Switzerland. In addition, the bath of one room is located in another country and the guest needs to cross the border to take a shower. In general, there are many legends and tales associated with the hotel, which it is not always possible to check. Nevertheless, they serve as an additional lure for tourists.

As you know, during the Second World War, Switzerland remained neutral. But France was occupied by German troops. The Nazis could live in the part of the hotel that was in their occupation zone. But the way to Switzerland was closed to the Germans. Germans, but not the French.

It is said that while SS officers were quartered in the French rooms on the first floor, French Resistance fighters lived quietly above them. They were also on the territory of France, but they were inaccessible to the Nazis. The fact is that the stairs to the second and third floors were on the Swiss side of the building. The Germans were ordered to go there.

The unusual location of the Arbez was often used for negotiations as a neutral territory. The most famous meeting at the hotel took place in 1962. Then, after the end of the Algerian War, representatives of France and leaders of the Algerian resistance met in one of the premises. However, the treaty that gave Algeria independence was signed elsewhere.